³ And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and ^(A)shame. ^(B)The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, ^(C)and its gates are destroyed by fire.”

Nehemiah's Prayer

⁴ As soon as I heard these words I ^(D)sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the ^(E)God of heaven.

³ Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by ^(A)prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.