The words of Nehemiah son of Hachaliah DURING the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, 

Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about the city of the Peaceful One - Jerusalem - and ?the Jewish remnants who had survived the exile. 

They said to me, “The remnants in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of the city of the Peaceful One - Jerusalem - has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.”

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 

I said, “The Self-existent, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, 

let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to Your servant’s prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. 

We have acted corruptly toward You – we have not kept the commands, statutes, and injunctions that You gave Your servant, Moses. 

Please, remember what You commanded Your servant, Moses: If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. 

However, if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were dispersed to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to settle My Name [Emissary] - the Self-existent, the Holy Spirit.

They are Your servants and people. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand. 

Please, God [the Self-existent, the Almighty], let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of I, Your servant, and to that of Your servants who   delight to revere Your Name [Emissary] - the Self-existent, the Holy Spirit. Give Your servant success today, and have compassion on him in the presence of this man.” (At that time, I was the king’s cupbearer.)