Nehemiah continues his prayer to God.

## Now they are your servants ##

The word "they" refers to the Israelites, and "your" refers to God.

## Now ##

This word is used here to shift from words which God spoke to Moses (see [Nehemiah 1:8](./08.md)) to words which Nehemiah is speaking to God.

## your strong hand ##

Nehemiah gives human characteristics to God. "Hand" here represents strength, power, or control. AT: "your great strength". (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])

## Listen now ##

AT: "Let your ear be attentive"

## the prayer of your servant ##

The word "servant" refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior.  Referring to oneself in this way showed humility and respect.

## your servants who delight to... ##

AT: "your servants who are happy to..." OR "your servants who are pleased to..."

## to honor your name ##

"to revere your name" OR "to lift up your reputation"

## grant him ##

<b>grant him<b>- Nehemiah is referring to himself in the third person to express his humility before God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

## in the sight of this man ##

"This man" refers to Artaxerxes, the King of Persia.