1. The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah.In the month Kislev of the twentieth year, I was in the citadel of Susa
2. when Hanani, one of my brothers, came with other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews, the remnant preserved after the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
3. They answered me: “The survivors of the captivity there in the province are in great distress and under reproach. The wall of Jerusalem has been breached, its gates gutted by fire.”
4. When I heard this report, I began to weep and continued mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5. I prayed: “Lord, God of heaven, great and awesome God, you preserve your covenant of mercy with those who love you and keep your commandments.
6. May your ears be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer that I, your servant, now offer in your presence day and night for your servants the Israelites, confessing the sins we have committed against you, I and my ancestral house included.
7. We have greatly offended you, not keeping the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances you entrusted to your servant Moses.