Nehemiah, a servant of King Artaxerxes, received news of Jerusalem's poor state and prayed for God's mercy and forgiveness, then was granted permission to rebuild the city's walls and gates, which he did with the help of the Jews, despite opposition. He addressed the people's suffering, persuaded the nobles to forgive debts, and completed the wall in 52 days. Nehemiah established a system of giving and offerings for the upkeep of the temple, and the people celebrated the holy day of the Lord and made a covenant to follow God's laws, and he also dealt with issues of foreigners in the house of God, profaning the Sabbath, and Jews marrying foreign women.