1 The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, I was in the Citadel of Susa when
2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jewish survivors who had returned from exile and about Jerusalem.
3 They answered me, "The people now live there in the province, in the midst of great poverty and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates burned."
4 When I heard these words, I sat down, wept and mourned for days. I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
5 And I said, "O Yahweh, God of heaven, you are fearsome and great. You keep your covenant and your kindness towards those who love you and fulfill your commandments.
6 May your ears be attentive and your eyes open to listen to the prayer of your servant! I am now in your presence day and night, for your servants, the children of Israel. I confess to you the sins we children of Israel have committed against you: I myself and the family of my father have sinned.
7 We have acted very badly. We did not fulfill your commandments, laws and instructions which you gave to your servant Moses.
8 But remember, too, what you said to Moses: If you are not faithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations.
9 But if you fulfill my commandments and put them into practice, I shall again lead you back to the place where I have chosen to dwell. I shall gather you, though you be dispersed to the ends of the world.
10 So then, Lord, do not forget that they are your servants; they are your people, whom you have saved with your great power and strong hand.
11 Listen to my prayer and to the prayer of those who only wish to honor your Name. I ask you to help me now. May I be well received by the king." I was then in charge of preparing the drinks of the king.
Versículos relacionados com Nehemiah, 1:
Nehemiah 1 narrates the story of Nehemiah, who receives news of the precarious situation of his Jewish brothers who still resided in Jerusalem after the return of some captives. He shakes himself with the news and seeks God in prayer to seek a solution. Next are five verses dealing with the topics covered in this chapter.
Ezra 9:9: "For we are slaves; yet, in the midst of our slavery, our God has not abandoned us; He has granted us favor before the kings of Persia, giving us life to lift the house of our God, restore their own ruins and grant you a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. " This verse highlights how God did not abandon the people even during slavery and how He enabled them to rebuild the house of God and the ruins of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 1:9: "If the Lord of hosts had not left us some survivors, we would have been like a sodom; we would have been like gomorrais." This verse shows how the survival of a remnant is important for the continuity of the lineage of God's people and how it protects those who are faithful to him.
Psalm 106:6: "Let us sin, as our ancestors; we commit injustices, we practice evil." This verse highlights the confession of sin of the people, recognizing the failure to follow God's commandments.
Isaiah 58:9: "Then thou shalt clarify, and the Lord shall answer you; you will scream for help, and He will say, I am here. If you take the yoke, the threatening finger and the slander." This verse talks about how God listens to the cry of his people and responds, but also emphasizes the importance of getting rid of unfair practices.
Jeremiah 29:12-13: "Then you shall invoke me, shall pass me to pray to me, and I will hear you. You shall seek me and find myself when you seek all your heart." This verse shows how God listens to the prayer of his people and responds them, but also highlights the importance of seeking to him with all his heart.
Capítulos: