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1 Then in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought to me, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Previously I had not been depressed in the king's presence. 2 So the king said to me, |Why do you appear to be depressed when you aren't sick? What can this be other than sadness of heart?| This made me very fearful. 3 I replied to the king, |O king, live forever! Why would I not appear dejected when the city with the graves of my ancestors lies desolate and its gates destroyed by fire?| 4 The king responded, |What is it you are seeking?| Then I quickly prayed to the God of heaven 5 and said to the king, |If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it.| 6 Then the king, with his consort sitting beside him, replied, |How long would your trip take, and when would you return?| Since the king was amenable to dispatching me, I gave him a time. Nehemiah 2:1-6, New English Translation. Copyright © 1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press.
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