1. Amazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHakaliya.Kwathi ngenyanga kaKhisilevi, ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili ngisendlini yenkosi yaseShushani,
2. kwafika uHanani omunye wabafowethu, yena nabantu bakwaJuda; ngababuza ngabaJuda ababesele besindile ekuthunjweni nangeJerusalema.
3. Bathi kimi: “Insali eseleyo ekuthunjweni lapho ezweni isekuhluphekeni okukhulu nasehlazweni; ugange lwaseJerusalema lubhidliziwe, namasango alo ashisiwe ngomlilo.”
4. Kwathi lapho ngizwa lawo mazwi, ngahlala phansi, ngakhala izinyembezi, ngalila izinsuku ezithile, ngazila ukudla, ngakhuleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu wezulu,
5. ngathi: “Ngiyanxusa, Jehova Nkulunkulu wezulu, wena Nkulunkulu omkhulu nowesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano nomusa nabakuthandayo nabagcina imiyalo yakho,