<p class="bodytext">Then the two choirs that gave thanks took their stations<n id="1" /> in the temple of God. I did also, along with half the officials with me,

<t /><n id="1" /><p class="bodytext">These are the words of Nehemiah<n id="2" /> son of Hacaliah:p> <p class="bodytext">It so happened that in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year,<n id="3" /> I was in Susa<n id="4" /> the citadel.

<p class="bodytext">The second choir was proceeding<n id="1" /> in the opposite direction. I followed them, along with half the people, on top of the wall, past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall,

Please,<n id="1" /> O Lord, listen attentively<n id="2" /> to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respect<n id="3" /> to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to me<n id="4" /> in the presence of this man.&#8221;p> <p class="bodytext">Now<n id="5" /> I was cupbearer for the king.p>

But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to<n id="1" /> forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.

<p class="bodytext">Then I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel. He was confined to his home.<n id="1" /> He said, &#8220;Let&#8217;s set up a time to meet in the house of God, within the temple. Let&#8217;s close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. It will surely be at night that they will come to kill you.&#8221;p>

may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed<n id="1" /> against you &#8211; both I myself and my family<n id="2" /> have sinned.