Nehemiya 9
1 Pa tsiku la 24 la mwezi womwewo, Aisraeli anasonkhana pamodzi ndi kusala chakudya, kuvala ziguduli ndi kudzithira dothi pa mutu.
On the twenty-fourth day of this same month, the Israelites met together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.
2 Aisraeliwa anadzipatula pakati pa anthu a mitundu ina ndipo anayimirira nayamba kuwulula machimo awo ndi zolakwa za makolo awo.
Those of Israelite ancestry separated themselves from the foreigners, and stood to confess their sins and those of their forefathers.
3 Anthuwo anayimirira pomwepo, ndipo anamva mawu a mʼbuku la malamulo a Yehova akuwerengedwa kwa maora enanso atatu ndipo anakhala maora ena atatu akuwulula machimo awo ndi kupembedza Yehova Mulungu wawo.
They spent three hours standing there reading the Book of the Law of the Lord their God, and another three hours confessing their sins and worshiping the Lord their God.
4 Pa makwerero okhalapo alevi anayimirirapo anthu awa: Yesuwa, Bani, Kadimieli, Sebaniya, Buni, Serebiya, Bani ndi Kenani. Iwowa ankapemphera mokweza mawu kwa Yehova Mulungu wawo.
The Levites stood on the stage and called out loudly to the Lord their God. (Their names were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani.)
5 Ndipo Alevi awa: Yesuwa, Kadimieli, Bani, Hasabaneya, Serebiya, Hodiya, Sebaniya ndi Petahiya anati: “Imirirani ndipo mutamande Yehova Mulungu wanu, amene ndi wamuyaya.” “Litamandike dzina lake laulemerero limene liposa madalitso ndi matamando onse.
Then the Levites announced: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God who lives eternally: ‘May who you are and your glory be blessed, and may you be lifted up above all blessing and praise.’” (The names of the Levites were Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah.)
6 Inu nokha ndiye Yehova. Munalenga kumwamba, ngakhale kumwambamwamba, zolengedwa zonse zimene zili mʼmenemo. Munalenga dziko ndi zonse zokhalamo, nyanja ndi zonse zili mʼmenemo. Zonse mumazisunga ndi moyo ndipo zonse za kumwamba zimakupembedzani.
They prayed, “Only you are the Lord. It was you who made the sky, the heavens with all their stars, the land and everything on it, the seas and everything in them. You give life to all of them, and all the heavenly beings worship you.
7 “Inu ndinu Yehova Mulungu amene munasankha Abramu ndi kumutulutsa mʼdziko la Uri wa ku Kaldeya ndi kumutcha dzina lake Abrahamu.
You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram, who led him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.
8 Inu munaona kuti mtima wake unali wokhulupirika kwa inu, ndipo munapangana naye pangano lakuti mudzapereka kwa zidzukulu zake dziko la Akanaani Ahiti, Aamori, Aperezi, Ayebusi ndi Agirigasi. Inu mwasunga lonjezo lanu chifukwa ndinu wolungama.
You knew he would be faithful to you, and made an agreement with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. You kept your promise, because you do what is right.
9 “Munaona kuzunzika kwa makolo athu ku Igupto. Munamva kufuwula kwawo pa Nyanja Yofiira.
You saw how much our forefathers were suffering in Egypt. You heard their cries for help at the Red Sea.
10 Inu munachita zizindikiro zozizwitsa ndi zodabwitsa kutsutsana ndi Farao, pamaso pa Farao, nduna zake ndi anthu onse a mʼdziko lake, pakuti Inu munadziwa kuti anazunza makolo athu. Inu munadzipangira nokha dzina, monga zilili mpaka lero lino.
You performed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all his people of his land, for you recognized how arrogantly they treated our forefathers. You created a wonderful reputation for yourself that people still recognize to this day.
11 Inu munagawa nyanja anthu anu akupenya, kotero kuti anadutsa powuma, koma munamiza mʼmadzi akuya anthu amene ankawalondola monga mmene uchitira mwala mʼmadzi ozama.
You split the sea apart in front of them so that they could walk through it on dry ground. But you threw their pursuers into the depths of the sea, like stones thrown into raging waters.
12 Masana munkawunikira ndi chipilala cha mtambo ndipo usiku munkawunikira ndi chipilala cha moto njira yonse imene ankayendamo.
You led them with a column of cloud during the day, and a column of fire at night, showing them the way which they should go.
13 “Munatsika pa Phiri la Sinai, ndipo munawayankhula kuchokera kumwamba. Munawapatsa malangizo olungama, ziphunzitso zoona ndiponso malamulo abwino.
You descended on Mount Sinai. You spoke to them from heaven. You gave them right ways to live, true laws, and good regulations and commandments.
14 Inu munawadziwitsa kuti tsiku lanu la Sabata ndi loyera ndipo munawapatsa malamulo ndi ziphunzitso.
You explained your holy Sabbath to them. You gave them commandments and regulations and laws through your servant Moses.
15 Pamene anali ndi njala munawapatsa buledi wochokera kumwamba. Pamene anali ndi ludzu munawapatsa madzi otuluka mʼthanthwe. Munawawuza kuti apite kukalanda dziko limene munalonjeza kuti mudzawapatsa.”
When they were hungry you gave them bread from heaven, and when they were thirsty you brought water out of the rock for them. You told them to go and take ownership of the land which you had sworn to give them.
16 “Koma makolo athu anadzikuza ndi kuwumitsa khosi, ndipo iwo sanamvere malamulo anu.
But they and our forefathers acted arrogantly and became stubborn, and didn't pay attention to your commands.
17 Anakana kumvera ndipo sanakumbukire zodabwitsa zimene munachita pakati pawo. Koma iwo anawumitsa khosi, nakuwukirani podzisankhira okha mtsogoleri kuti awatsogolere kubwerera ku ukapolo ku dziko la Igupto. Koma ndinu Mulungu wokhululukira, wokoma mtima ndi wachifundo wosapsa mtima msanga ndi wachikondi chachikulu chosasinthika. Choncho Inu simunawasiye.
They refused to listen to you, and forgot about all the miracles you did for them. They became obstinate and decided to choose themselves a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and merciful, slow to get angry, and full of trustworthy love. You did not give up on them,
18 Ngakhale pamene iwo anadziwumbira fano la mwana wangʼombe ndi kuti, ‘Uyu ndi mulungu wanu amene anakutulutsani mʼdziko la Igupto,’ kapena pamene anachita chipongwe choopsa.
even when they made themselves a metal calf and said, ‘This is your god who led you out of Egypt,’ and committed terrible blasphemies.
19 “Koma Inu ndi chifundo chanu chachikulu, simunawasiye mʼchipululu. Chipilala cha mtambo sichinasiye kuwatsogolera pa njira yawo masana ndipo chipilala cha moto sichinasiye kuwatsogolera pa njira yawo usiku.
But you because you are so merciful didn't abandon them in the desert. The column of cloud didn't stop guiding them during the day, and the column of fire continued to light their way at night.
20 Inu munawapatsa mzimu wanu wabwino kuti uwalangize. Inu simunawamane chakudya cha mana chija, ndipo munawapatsa madzi akumwa.
You gave your good Spirit to teach them. You did not stop feeding them with your manna, and you gave them water when they were thirsty.
21 Munawasunga zaka makumi anayi mʼchipululu ndipo sanasowe kanthu kalikonse. Zovala zawo sizinathe kapena mapazi awo kutupa.”
You took care of them for forty years in the desert. Their clothes didn't wear out, they didn't want for anything. Their feet didn't even swell up!
22 “Inu munawapatsa mafumu ndi mayiko mʼmanja mwawo. Munawagawiranso mayiko achilendo akutali kwambiri. Munabwera nawo mʼdziko la Sihoni mfumu ya Hesiboni ndi dziko la Ogi mfumu ya Basani kuti alowemo nʼkulitenga kukhala lawo.
You gave them kingdoms and nations; you assigned their borders. They took control of the land of Sihon, king of Heshbon, and of Og, king of Bashan.
23 Munachulukitsa ana awo aamuna ngati nyenyezi za mlengalenga. Ndipo munawabweretsa mʼdziko limene munawuza makolo awo kuti alilowe ndi kulitenga.
You made their descendants as countless as the stars of heaven, and led them to the land you had promised their fathers they would enter and possess.
24 Choncho zidzukulu zawo zinapita ndi kukalandira dzikolo. Inu munagonjetsa pamaso pawo, Akanaani amene amakhala mʼdzikolo. Inde munapereka mʼmanja mwawo mafumu awo pamodzi ndi anthu a mʼdzikomo kuti achite nawo monga angafunire.
Their descendants went in and took over the land. Right in front of them you conquered the Canaanites who lived there, handing over their kings and people so they could do with them whatever they wanted.
25 Iwo analanda mizinda yotetezedwa ndi dziko lachonde. Anatenganso nyumba zodzaza ndi zinthu zonse zabwino, zitsime zokumbidwa kale, mitengo ya mphesa, mitengo ya olivi ndi mitengo yambiri ya zipatso. Ndipo anadya nakhuta ndipo anali athanzi. Choncho ankakondwa chifukwa cha ubwino wanu wopambana.
They captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of valuable things, water cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, and many fruit trees. They ate until they were full, and grew fat. They were so happy at how good you were to them.
26 “Komabe iwo anakhala osamvera ndipo anakuwukirani nafulatira malamulo anu. Anapha aneneri anu, amene anakawadandaulira kuti abwerere kwa Inu. Anachita chipongwe choopsa.
But they completely rebelled against you. They tossed your Law over their shoulders. They killed your prophets who warned them to try and bring them back to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
27 Pamene anazunzidwa anafuwulira kwa Inu, ndipo Inu munawamvera muli kumwambako. Ndipo mwa chifundo chanu chachikulu munkawapatsa atsogoleri amene ankawapulumutsa mʼmanja mwa adani awo.”
So you handed them over to their enemies who treated them badly. In their suffering they cried out to you for help. But you heard their cries from heaven, and because you're so merciful you sent them leaders to save them from their enemies.
28 “Koma akangokhala pa mtendere ankayambanso kuchita zoyipa pamaso panu. Choncho munkawapereka mʼmanja mwa adani awo amene ankawalamulira. Komabe pamene ankabwerera ndi kumalira kwa Inu, Inu munkawamva muli kumwambako. Chifukwa cha chifundo chanu chochuluka, nthawi zonse munkawapulumutsa.
However, as soon as they had peace, they went back to doing evil in your sight. So once more you handed them over to their enemies, who dominated them. They came back to you, and they cried out to you again. But you heard from heaven once more, and you saved them time and again because you are so merciful.
29 “Inu munkawachenjeza kuti abwerere ndi kuyamba kutsata malamulo anu. Koma iwo ankadzitukumula ndipo sankamvera malamulo anu. Iwo anachimwira malangizo anu amene munati ‘Amapatsa moyo kwa munthu wowamvera.’ Iwo ankakufulatirani, nawumitsa makosi awo osafuna kukumverani.
You warned them to come back to your Law, but they were arrogant. They ignored your commands, and sinned against your rules, which, as you previously said, ‘If people obey they will live by them.’ They obstinately turned their backs on you and refused to listen.
30 Munapirira nawo kwa zaka zambiri. Munkawachenjeza ndi Mzimu wanu kudzera mwa aneneri anu, koma iwo sankakumverani. Choncho munawapereka mʼmanja mwa anthu a mayiko ena.
You were patient with them for many years. You warned them by your Spirit through your prophets, but they didn't listen, so you handed them over to the other nations.
31 Komabe mwachifundo chanu chachikulu simuwatheretu kapena kuwataya pakuti ndinu Mulungu wokoma mtima ndi wachifundo.
But because of your wonderful mercy you did not finish with them, and you did not abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
32 “Nʼchifukwa chake, tsono, Inu Mulungu wathu, Mulungu wamkulu, wamphamvu ndi woopsa kwambiri mumasunga pangano ndi chikondi chosasinthika. Musalole kuti mavuto onse amene atigwera ife, mafumu athu, atsogoleri athu, ansembe athu, aneneri athu, makolo athu ndi anthu ena onse kuyambira nthawi ya mafumu a ku Asiriya mpaka lero aoneke ochepa pamaso panu.
So now, our God, the great and powerful and awesome God who keeps his agreement of trustworthy love, please don't see as unimportant all the hardships that have happened to us, and to our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our forefather and all your people, from the time of the Assyrian kings of Assyria up till now.
33 Koma Inu mwakhala wolungama pa zonse zimene zakhala zikutichitikira. Mwachita zokhulupirika, koma ife tachita zolakwa.
But you have done what is right regarding everything that has happened to us. You have always acted faithfully, while we have done so much evil.
34 Ndipotu mafumu athu, atsogoleri athu, ansembe athu ndi makolo athu sanatsatire mawu anu. Iwo sanalabadire za malamulo anu ngakhale mawu anu owachenjeza amene munawapatsa.
Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our forefathers did not follow your Law, and they ignored your commands and regulations you ordered them to keep.
35 Ngakhale ankadzilamulira okha, nʼkumalandira zabwino zochuluka mʼdziko lalikulu ndi lachonde limene munawapatsa, koma iwo sanakutumikireni kapena kusiya ntchito zawo zoyipa.
But they, even during the time they had their own kingdom, with so many blessings you had given them in the wide and fertile land you had provided for them, even then they refused to serve you and would not turn from their evil ways.
36 “Tsono, taonani! Ife lero ndife akapolo, ndife akapolo mʼdziko limene munapereka kwa makolo athu kuti azidya zipatso zake ndi zabwino zake zonse.
Look at us now, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers to enjoy its fruit and all its good things. Look at us slaves here!
37 Tsono chifukwa cha machimo athu, mafumu amene munawayika kuti azitilamulira angodzilemeretsa ndi chuma chambiri cha dzikoli. Iwo ali ndi mphamvu zolamulira matupi athu ndi ngʼombe zathu momwe afunira. Zedi, ife tili mʼmavuto aakulu.”
The rich harvests of this land go to the kings you have placed over us because of our sins. They rule over our bodies and our cattle, doing whatever they want. We are suffering so much!”
38 “Chifukwa cha zonsezi, ife tikuchita mgwirizano wokhazikika, pochita kulemba, ndipo atsogoleri athu, Alevi athu ndi ansembe athu asindikiza chidindo chawo pa mgwirizanowo.”
In response the people declared, “Considering all this, we are making a solemn agreement, putting it in writing. It is sealed by our leaders, Levites, and priests.”
