1. In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. Because I had never before been sad in his presence,
2. the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear,
3. I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates consumed by fire?”
4. The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven