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Chapter 1

Sat, 09/22/2012 - 15:17 — webmaster

Chapter 1
1 The words of Nehemias the son of Helchias. And it came to pass in the month of Casleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in the castle of Susa,
2 That Hanani one of my brethren came, he and some men of Juda; and I asked them concerning the Jews, that remained and were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 And they said to me: They that have remained, and are left of the captivity there in the province, are in great affliction, and reproach: and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire.
4 And when I had heard these words, I sat down, and wept, and mourned for many days: and I fasted, and prayed before the face of the God of heaven.
5 And I said: WI beseech you, 0 Lord God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keep covenant and mercy with those that love you, and keep your commandments:
6 Let your ears be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you now, night and day, for the children of Israel your servants: and I confess the sins of the children of Israel, by which they have sinned against you: I and my father's house have sinned.
7 We have been seduced by vanity, and have not kept your commandments, and ceremonies and judgments, which you have commanded your servant Moses.
8 Remember the word that you commanded to Moses your servant, saying: If you shall transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
9 But if you return to me, and keep my commandments, and do them, though you should be led away to the uttermost parts of the world, I will gather you from thence, and bring you back to the place which I have chosen for my name to dwell there.
10 And these are your servants, and your people: whom you have redeemed by your great strength, and by your mighty hand.
11 I beseech you, O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear your name: and direct your servant this day, and give him mercy before this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.