Nehemiah 1

1 These are the words [chronicles, accounts] of Nehemiah [Jehovah comforts, a leader of the Israelites] son of Hacaliah [my God keeps, a faithful servant]: In the month [lunar cycle, new moon] of Chislev [the 9th month, November-December], in the twentieth year, while I [the author, a humble servant] was in the citadel [stronghold, palace] of Susa [the royal city, lily], word study 2 Hanani [one of my brethren, a close relative], one of my brothers, arrived [came, he and certain men] with men [and some other men] from Judah [the tribe descended from Judah]. So I questioned [asked, inquired] them about the remnant [survivor, escaped portion] of the Jews [people from the tribe of Judah] who had survived [escaped, been left] the exile [captivity, a state of being taken away], and also about Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital city]. word study 3 And they told me, “The remnant [survivors of the captivity] who survived the exile [time of great affliction] are there in the province [region or district], in great trouble [affliction and distress] and disgrace [reproach and shame]. The wall [barrier of protection] of Jerusalem [city of peace] is broken down [torn apart, demolished], and its gates [entrances to the city] are burned [consumed, destroyed] with fire [purifying flame].” word study 4 When I heard [and listened carefully to] these words, I sat down [and remained seated, dwelling in sorrow] and wept [shed tears, mourning deeply]. I mourned [lamented, expressed sorrow] for days, fasting [abstaining from food, humbling myself] and praying [interceding, seeking guidance] before the God [Elohim, the supreme One] of heaven [the sky, the spiritual realm]. word study 5 Then I said: “O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of heaven [the visible universe and the abode of God], the great [mighty, powerful] and awesome [fearful, reverenced] God who keeps [guards, protects] His covenant [promise, agreement] of loving devotion [kindness, mercy] with those who love [have affection for] Him and keep [obey, guard] His commandments [laws, rules], word study 6 let Your eyes [be watchful and observant] be open and Your ears attentive [attentive and listening] to hear the prayer [supplication, request] that I, Your servant [bondservant, one who serves], now pray [make petition, intercede] before You day [by day, daily] and night [in the darkness, during adversity] for Your servants [those who serve, the faithful], the Israelites [descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people]. I confess [acknowledge, admit] the sins [transgressions, rebellions] that we Israelites [the people of God] have committed [missed the mark, gone wrong] against You. Both I [personally, as an individual] and my father’s house [my family, my heritage] have sinned [failed, disobeyed]. word study 7 We have behaved [acted very corruptly, dealt corruptly] corruptly against You and have not kept [obeyed, protected] the commandments [laws, decrees], statutes [ordinances, rules], and ordinances [judgments, decisions] that You gave [commanded, entrusted] Your servant [faithful attendant, messenger] Moses. word study 8 Remember [keep in mind, recall], I pray [please, I beseech thee], the word [thing, matter] that You commanded [gave orders to, appointed] Your servant [one who serves, attendant] Moses when You said, ‘If you [ye, you trespassers] are unfaithful [transgress, sin], I will scatter [disperse, send wandering] you among the nations [peoples, heathen nations], word study 9 but if you return [turn back, come to repentance] to Me and keep [obey, guard] and practice [do, fulfill] My commandments [laws, ordinances], then even if your exiles [outcasts, banished ones] have been banished [driven away, scattered] to the farthest [uttermost, remotest] horizon [end, border], I will gather [collect, assemble] them from there [that place, thence] and bring [lead, guide] them to the place [location, dwelling] I have chosen [selected, appointed] as a dwelling [abode, residence] for My Name [My character, reputation].’ word study 10 They [Your servants, the nation of Israel] are Your servants [bondservants, those who serve God] and Your people [nation, those belonging to You]. You redeemed [ransomed, set free] them by Your great [mighty, powerful] power [strength, ability] and mighty [strong, powerful] hand [direction, guidance]. word study 11 O Lord [Adonay, the supreme Master], may Your ear [attentive and listening] be attentive to my prayer [supplication, heartfelt request] and to the prayers [petitions, cries for help] of Your servants [faithful followers, those who delight to revere Your name] who delight [take pleasure, find joy] to revere [honor, stand in awe of] Your name [Your character, reputation]. Give [grant, bestow] Your servant [faithful follower, one who serves You] success [prosperity, favor] this day [at this time, now], I pray [beseech, humbly ask], and grant him mercy [compassion, loving-kindness] in the sight [presence, face] of this man [the king, my master].” (At that time I was the cupbearer [one who serves drink, a trusted servant] to the king.) word study