Nehemiah 2:1-3

EasyEnglish Bible

Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem

2 It was the month of Nisan, when King Artaxerxes had ruled Babylon for 20 years. I had the king's wine ready for him to drink. I took it to give to him. He saw that I was sad. I had not been sad in front of the king before. ² The king asked me, ‘Why are you sad? You are not ill. This must mean that you are very upset.’ I was very frightened.^[a]

³ I replied to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! I am sad because enemies have destroyed the city where my ancestors are buried. They burned the city's gates.’