Nehemiah 2:1-3

Expanded Bible

Nehemiah Is Sent to Jerusalem

2 It was the month of Nisan [^Cearly spring] in the twentieth year Artaxerxes was king [^C445 bc]. Wine was brought ·for him [or to me]. I took some and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before. ² So the king said, “Why does your face look sad even though you are not sick? ·Your heart must be sad [You must be very troubled].”

Then I was very afraid. ³ I said to the king, “May the king live forever! ·My face is sad because [^LWhy should my face not look sad/dejected when…?] the city ·where my ancestors are buried [of my fathers’ tombs] lies in ruins, and its gates have been ·destroyed [^Ldevoured] by fire.”