And they said unto me, "The remnant of the captivity are there in the land in great misfortune and rebuke. The walls of Jerusalem are broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire."

When I heard these words, I sat me down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

And I rode by night unto the valley port before the Dragon well, and to the Dung port, and considered the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, and the ports thereof consumed with the fire.

But the Well gate builded Shallum the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the fourth part of Mizphah; He builded it, covered it, and set on the doors, locks, and bars thereof, and the wall unto the pool of Siloam by the king's garden, unto the steps that go down from the city of David.

And Tobiah the Ammonite beside him said, "Let them build on: if a fox go up, he shall break down their stony wall."

But when the Jews that dwelt beside them came out of all the places where they dwelt about us, and told us - as good as ten times -

And there was prepared me daily an ox, and six chosen sheep, and birds, and once in every ten days a great sum of wine. Yet required not I the living of a captain for the bondage was grievous unto the people.

Think upon me my God unto the best, according to all that I have done for this people.

Notwithstanding, I sent messengers unto them, saying, "I have a great business to do, I cannot come down. The work should stand still, if I were negligent, and came down to you."

Nevertheless, I sent unto him, saying, "There is no such thing done as thou sayest: thou hast feigned it out of thine own heart."

And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity, made booths, and dwelt therein. For since the time of Jeshua the son of Nun unto this day, had not the children of Israel done so, and there was very great gladness.

Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest unto them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, true laws, good commandments and statutes,

Thou art righteous in all that thou hast brought upon us: for thou hast done right.

As for us: we have been ungodly, and our kings, princes, priests, and fathers have not done after thy law, nor regarded thy commandments, and thy earnest exhortations wherewith thou hast exhorted them,

And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem. But the other people cast lots therefore, so that among ten one part went to Jerusalem into the holy city to dwell, and nine parts in the cities.