⁶ And the king said to me (^(A)the queen sitting beside him), “How long will you be gone, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me ^(B)when I had given him a time.

⁶ While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for ^(A)in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes ^(B)king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king

Nehemiah's Generosity

¹⁴ Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from ^(A)the twentieth year to ^(B)the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, ^(C)neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor.

⁴ Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed ^(A)to the God of heaven.

¹¹ O Lord, ^(A)let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was ^(B)cupbearer to the king.