The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 16: 2 Esdras

A weary cup‑bearer to the Persian monarch, Nehemiah learns that his ancestral city lies in ruin—its walls broken, its gates scorched, its people living in disgrace. Deeply moved, he spends days in prayer and fasting, pleading for divine mercy while confessing the sins that have led his nation to this state. His grief quickly turns into resolve, as he vows to seek the king’s permission to restore Jerusalem to its former glory.

With a solemn audience before Artaxerxes, Nehemiah explains the desperate condition of his homeland and asks for safe passage and the resources needed for reconstruction. The king, impressed by his sincerity, grants letters of authority, timber, and a contingent of soldiers to escort him. Armed with royal support and a fervent faith, Nehemiah sets out for Judea, ready to rally his fellow exiles and begin the daunting task of rebuilding the city’s defenses.