This book presents an historical record of the reigns of King David,
King Solomon, and the kings of Judah up to the time of the captivity.
1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. In the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
1:2 That Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
1:3 They said to me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
1:4 When I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
1:5 Said, I beseech you, Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keeps covenant and mercy for those who love him and observe his commandments:
1:6 Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and my father's house have sinned.
1:7 We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which you commanded your servant Moses.
1:8 Remember, I beseech you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, If you transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
1:9 If you turn to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
1:10 Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand.
1:11 Lord, I beseech you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your name: and prosper, I pray you, your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cup bearer.
6:3 I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?
8:10 ... the joy of the Lord is your strength.
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