Nehemiah 2:2-4

Good News Translation

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?”

⁴ The emperor asked, “What is it that you want?”

I prayed to the God of Heaven,