Nehemiah’s Prayer

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev^(A) in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,^(B)

² At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,^(A)

⁸ When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa^(A) and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem.