Nehemiah 2:1-3

Good News Translation

Nehemiah Goes to Jerusalem

2 One day four months later, when Emperor Artaxerxes was dining, I took the wine to him. He had never seen me look sad before, ² so he asked, “Why are you looking so sad? You aren't sick, so it must be that you're unhappy.”

I was startled ^3 (A)and answered, “May Your Majesty live forever! How can I keep from looking sad when the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”