1. It was the month of Nisan. It was in the twentieth year King Artaxerxes was king. He wanted some wine. So I took some and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before.
2. So the king said, “Why does your face look sad? You are not sick. Your heart must be sad.”Then I was very afraid.
3. I said to the king, “May the king live forever! My face is sad because the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins. And its gates have been destroyed by fire.”
4. Then the king said to me, “What do you want?”First I prayed to the God of heaven.
5. Then I answered the king, “Send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried. I will rebuild it. Do this if you are willing and if I have pleased you.”