Nehemia 2:2-3

2:2 So the king said to me, “Why do you appear to be depressed when you aren’t sick? What can this be other than sadness of heart?” This made me very fearful.

2:3 I replied to the king, “O king, live forever! Why would I not appear dejected when the city with the graves of my ancestors ¹  lies desolate and its gates destroyed ²  by fire?”

[2:3]  ¹ tn Heb “fathers” (also in v. 5).

[2:3]  ² tn Heb “devoured” or “eaten” (so also in Neh 2:13).