UNehemiya 1:1-3

Amazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHagaliya. Kwathi ngenyanga kaKislewu, ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili, ngisesigodlweni uSusan, Kwafika uHanani, omunye wabafowethu, yena namadoda akwaJuda; ngababuza ngabaJuda abakhululiweyo ababesele ekuthunjweni, langeJerusalema. Base bethi kimi: “Insali yabathunjwa ezweni isekuhluphekeni okukhulu nasehlazweni; nogange lwaseJerusalema lwalubhidliziwe, namasango alo ashiswa ngomlilo.