1. The words of Neḥemyah son of Ḥaḵalyah. And it came to be in the month of Kislĕw, in the twentieth year, as I was in the citadel of Shushan,
2. that Ḥanani, one of my brothers, came with men from Yehuḏah. And I asked them concerning the Yehuḏim who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Yerushalayim.
3. And they said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity in the province are there in great evil and reproach. And the wall of Yerushalayim is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
4. And it came to be, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days. And I was fasting and praying before the Elohim of the heavens,
5. and I said, “I pray, יהוה Elohim of the heavens, O great and awesome Ěl, guarding the covenant and kindness with those who love You, and with those guarding Your commands,
6. please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, for the children of Yisra’ĕl Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Yisra’ĕl which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.