1 One day four months later, when Emperor Artaxerxes was dining, I took the wine to him. He had never seen me look sad before,
2 so he asked, “Why are you looking so sad? You aren't sick, so it must be that you're unhappy.”I was startled
3 and answered, “May Your Majesty live forever! How can I keep from looking sad when the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
4 The emperor asked, “What is it that you want?”I prayed to the God of Heaven,