Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
Select a book and chapter to read the MPV in modern, pastor-shaped English. This view shows the reading edition of the text in paragraphs.
Currently viewing: Nehemiah 1 · MPV reading edition
The words of Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah. It was during the month of Chisleu, in my twentieth year as a resident in Shushan the palace, that a group of men from Judah arrived with some distressing news.
They brought word about the Jews who had managed to escape from captivity and those who remained behind, still living in the province. But their story was one of great affliction and shame: the wall of Jerusalem lay broken and its gates were charred beyond recognition from a devastating fire.
When I heard these words, I was overcome with sorrow and grief. For several days, I sat down to weep and mourn, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. My heart was heavy with concern for my people and their city.
I poured out my heart to the Lord, begging him to listen to my prayer: "O Lord God of heaven, you are a great and terrifying God who keeps his covenant and shows lovingkindness to those who love him and obey his commands." I asked that he would grant me an attentive ear and open eyes, so that I might be guided by his wisdom.
But then I was struck with the painful realization that we had not lived up to our responsibilities as God's people. We had been very corrupt in our ways, neglecting the laws, statutes, and judgments that Moses had given us to follow. I remembered the word of God spoken through Moses: "If you disobey me, I will scatter you among the nations." But I also recalled the promise that followed: "However, if you return to me and keep my commandments, I will gather those who have been scattered far and wide and bring them back to the place where I have chosen to put my name."
My heart was filled with a sense of responsibility as I thought about our history. We were once a people redeemed by God's great power and strong hand, but we had not honored that redemption in our lives. Now, I begged God to listen to my prayer and the prayers of his servants who longed to reverence his name. "Lord," I prayed, "please grant me favor today and show mercy before this man, just as I have served the king."