UNehemiya 1:1-3

Amazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHakaliya. Kwathi ngenyanga kaKhisilevi, ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili ngisendlini yenkosi yaseShushani, kwafika uHanani omunye wabafowethu, yena nabantu bakwaJuda; ngababuza ngabaJuda ababesele besindile ekuthunjweni nangeJerusalema. Bathi kimi: “Insali eseleyo ekuthunjweni lapho ezweni isekuhluphekeni okukhulu nasehlazweni; ugange lwaseJerusalema lubhidliziwe, namasango alo ashisiwe ngomlilo.”