TSK · Nehemiah 1:3

I will scatter you among the nations and unsheathe the sword after you, so your land will become desolate and your cities will become a waste.

The whole Babylonian army that came with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.

The Names of the Returning Exiles These are the people of the province who were going up, from the captives of the exile whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had forced into exile in Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own city.

I replied to the king,“O king, live forever! Why would I not appear dejected when the city with the graves of my ancestors lies desolate and its gates destroyed by fire?”

Then I said to them,“You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.”

“So today we are slaves! In the very land you gave to our ancestors to eat its fruit and to enjoy its good things– we are slaves!

¶ The King Throws a Lavish Party The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus.(I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.)

We have become an object of disdain to our neighbors; those who live on our borders taunt and insult us.

Now I will inform you what I am about to do to my vineyard: I will remove its hedge and turn it into pasture, I will break its wall and allow animals to graze there.

So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.”

The LORD commanded the enemy,“March through the vineyards of Israel and Judah and ruin them. But do not destroy them completely. Strip off their branches for these people do not belong to the LORD.

I will chase after them with war, starvation, and disease. I will make all the kingdoms of the earth horrified at what happens to them. I will make them examples of those who are cursed, objects of horror, hissing scorn, and ridicule among all the nations where I exile them.

For the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says,‘If you go to Egypt, I will pour out my wrath on you just as I poured out my anger and wrath on the citizens of Jerusalem. You will become an object of horror and ridicule, an example of those who have been cursed and that people use in pronouncing a curse. You will never see this place again.’

The whole Babylonian army that came with the captain of the royal guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.

ט(Tet) Her city gates have fallen to the ground; he smashed to bits the bars that lock her gates. Her king and princes were taken into exile; there is no more guidance available. As for her prophets, they no longer receive a vision from the LORD.

The People of Jerusalem Pray: O LORD, reflect on what has happened to us; consider and look at our disgrace.