Nehemiah 1

1 [the] words of Nehemiah [the] son of Hacaliah and it was in [the] month of (Kislev *Q(k)*) year twenty and I I was in Susa the citadel.

This is the account of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was in the fortress at Susa.

2 And he came Hanani one of brothers my he and people from Judah and I asked them about the Jews the escaped remnant who they had survived from the captivity and on Jerusalem.

Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men. I asked them about the remnant of the Jewish exiles who had returned from captivity, and also about Jerusalem.

3 And they said to me the survivors who they have survived from the captivity there in the province [are] in trouble great and in disgrace and [the] wall of Jerusalem [has been] broken down and gates its they have been burned with fire.

They told me, “The remnant who are left from the exile are there in the province, but they are having a great deal of trouble and feel humiliated. Jerusalem's walls have been knocked over, and its gates burned down.”

4 And it was when heard I - the words these I sat down and I wept and I mourned! days and I was fasting and praying before [the] God of the heavens.

When I heard the news, I sat down, weeping and mourning for days, fasting and praying to the God of heaven.

5 And I said I beg you O Yahweh [the] God of the heavens the God great and awesome [who] keeps the covenant and covenant loyalty to [those who] love him and to [those who] keep commandments his.

Then I prayed, “Please, Lord God of heaven—the great and awesome God who keeps his agreement of trustworthy love with those who love him and keep his commandments—

6 May it be please ear your attentive and eyes your open to listen to [the] prayer of servant your which I [am] praying before you this day by day and night on [the] people of Israel servants your and [am] confessing on [the] sins of [the] people of Israel which we have sinned to you and I and [the] house of father my we have sinned.

please listen and focus your attention on the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you now, day and night, on behalf of your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you, including my own sins and those of my family.

7 Surely we have acted corruptly to you and not we have kept the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you commanded Moses servant your.

We have done terrible things to offend you and we have not kept the commandments, laws, and regulations that you gave to your servant Moses.

8 Remember please the word which you commanded Moses servant your saying you you will act unfaithfully I I will scatter you among the peoples.

Please remember what you told Moses when you said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

9 And you will turn back to me and you will keep commandments my and you will observe them if it will be banished [one] your at [the] end of the heavens from there I will gather them (and I will bring them *Q(k)*) to the place where I have chosen to cause to dwell name my there.

but if you come back to me and follow my commandments and obey them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will gather them together and bring them to the place I have chosen where I will be honored.

10 And they [are] servants your and people your whom you redeemed by strength your great and by hand your mighty.

They are your servants and our people. You saved them by your great power and incredible ability.

11 I beg you O Lord may it be please ear your attentive to [the] prayer of servant your and to [the] prayer of servants your delighting to fear name your and grant success! please to servant your this day and give him compassion before the man this and I I was cup bearer of the king.

Lord, please respond to my prayer and to the prayers of those who love to worship you. Please let me be successful today and make the king sympathetic to me.” I was the king's cupbearer.