In the month of Kislev during the twentieth year of the reign of King Artahshashta (Artaxerxes) over the Persian Empire, I was in the capital city of Shushan (Susa). 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Yehudah (Judah), and I asked them about the Yehudim (Jews) who’d escaped and managed to avoid being exiled, and about Yerushalem (Jerusalem), 3 and he told me, “The ones left behind in the provinces and who avoided the captivity, are in a bad way and feeling depressed. The wall around Yerushalem was torn down, and its gates were burnt.”

4 When I heard all that, I sat down and I was upset for days. I fasted and cried and prayed to the god of the heavens, 5 and I said, “Oh Yahweh, God of the heavens, the great and awesome God, who keeps his agreement and is determinedly loyal to those who love him and obey his instructions: 6 Please listen carefully to your servant’s prayer that I’m presenting to you today, day and night, on account of your servants the Israelis. On behalf of all Israelis, I’m confessing that we’ve sinned against you—both my generation and previous generations. 7 We’ve acted extremely corruptly—disobeying you by not obeying your commands, statutes, and judgements that you instructed through your servant Mosheh (Moses). 8 Please remember that you told your servant Mosheh that if we act unfaithfully, you yourself would scatter us among the nations,[ref] 9 but if we’d return to you and obey your instructions, then even if we had been banished to the ends of the earth, you’d gather us back up and bring us back to the place where you’ve established your name and reputation.[ref]

10 “We’re your servants and your people that you rescued from slavery with your incredible power. 11 Oh, my master, please listen carefully to your servant’s prayer, and to the prayer of your other servants who delight to honour your name. Please cause your servant to succeed today, and give me favour in the king’s eyes.”

Now as for me, I was the king’s cupbearer.