Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah Chapter 1 ESV

1Nehemiah, informed by Hanani concerning the afflicted state of Jerusalem, mourneth, fasteth, and prayeth. 5His prayer.
1 The words of 1Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of 2Chislev, 3in the twentieth year, as I was in 4Susa the citadel,
2 that 1Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and 1shame. 2The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, 3and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
4 As soon as I heard these words I 1sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the 2God of heaven.
5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, 1the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6 1let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, 2confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even 3I and my father's house have sinned.
7 1We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules 2that you commanded your servant Moses.
8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, 1I will scatter you among the peoples,
9 1but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, 2though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them 3to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
10 1They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 O Lord, 1let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was 2cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah 1

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