Nehemiah 2:1-5 ▼

1 In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. Because I had never before been sad in his presence,

2 the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear,

3 I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates consumed by fire?”

4 The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven

5 and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, that I may rebuild it.”