1 In the month of Nisan in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes, some wine was brought to the king. I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never before been sad when I was with him, but now I was sad.
2 So the king asked me, “Are you sick? Why do you look sad? I think your heart is full of sadness.” Then I was very afraid.
3 But even though I was afraid, I said to the king, “May the king live forever! I am sad because the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and the gates of that city have been destroyed by fire.”
4 Then the king said to me, “What do you want me to do?” Before I answered, I prayed to the God of heaven.