UNehemiya 1:1-3

Nanka amazwi kaNehemiya, indodana kaHakaliya. Ngenyanga uKhisilevi, ngonyaka wama-20, ngiseShushani inhlokomuzi, uHanani, omunye wabafowethu, wafika evela kwaJuda, ehamba nesigejane samadoda. Ngababuza ngabaJuda ababesinde ekuthunjweni basala kwaJuda, nangesimo seJerusalema. Baphendula bathi: “Abasala esifundazweni sakwaJuda, abaze bathunjwa, basenkathazweni enkulu nasehlazweni; izingange zeJerusalema zidilizelwe phansi, namasango alo ashiswe ngomlilo.”