Study Desk

The message said: I am King Cyrus of Persia. The Lord God of heaven has made me the ruler of every nation on earth. He has also chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The Lord God will watch over any of his people who want to go back to Judah.

I am King Cyrus of Persia. The Lord God of heaven, who is also the God of Israel, has made me the ruler of all nations on earth. And he has chosen me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. The Lord God will watch over and encourage any of his people who want to go back to Jerusalem and help build the temple.

Starting right now, I am ordering you to help the leaders by paying their expenses from the tax money collected in Western Province.

and prayed: I am much too ashamed to face you, Lord God. Our sins and our guilt have swept over us like a flood that reaches up to the heavens.

I am Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and in this book I tell what I have done. During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes ruled Persia, I was in his fortress city of Susa,

I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned

Our Lord , I am praying for your servants—those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power.

he said, "Because I am a Jew." They spoke to him for several days about kneeling down, but he still refused to obey. Finally, they reported this to Haman, to find out if he would let Mordecai get away with it.

That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running up and saying, "God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, "Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

I am not strong as stone or bronze,

My friends, I am desperate, and you should help me, even if I no longer respect God All-Powerful.

I am like a caravan, lost in the desert while searching for water.

just as I am with you. Only one look at my suffering, and you run away scared.

Here I am desperate, and you consider my words as worthless as wind.

I know right from wrong, and I am not telling lies.

Am I the sea or a sea monster? Is that why you imprison me?

Why do you watch us so closely? What's it to you, if I sin? Why am I your target and such a heavy burden?

Even though I am innocent, I can only beg for mercy.