2
that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judahcame; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and aboutJerusalem.
3
They said to me, "The remnantthere in the provincewhosurvived the captivity are in greatdistress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is brokendown and its gates are burned with fire."
5
I said, "I beseech You, O LORDGod of heaven, the great and awesomeGod, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
6
let Your earnow be attentive and Your eyesopen to hear the prayer of Your servantwhich I am prayingbefore You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israelwhich we have sinned against You; I and my father'shouse have sinned.
7
"We have actedverycorruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinanceswhich You commanded Your servantMoses.
9
but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the mostremotepart of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the placewhere* I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.'
11
"OLord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servantsuccessfultoday and grant him compassionbeforethisman." Now I was the cupbearer to the king.