< 尼希米記 1 >

1 哈加里亞的兒子乃赫米雅的言行錄:在第二十年「基斯婁」月,我在穌撒禁城時,
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: Now it happened in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in the fortress of Susa,
2 有我的一個兄弟哈納尼,和幾個人由猶大上來,我問及他們,關於那些由充軍回國的猶太遺民,和耶路撒冷的情形;
that one of my brothers, Hanani, came with some people from Judah, and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, the remnant of the Jews who were there, and about Jerusalem.
3 他們回答我說:「充軍回國的那些遺民,在省裏遭大難,受污辱;耶路撒冷城垣坍塌,城門為火焚毀。」
They said to me, “Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace because the wall of Jerusalem has been broken open, and its gates have been set on fire.”
4 我一聽說這些事,就坐下涕哭,悲痛了幾天,同時也在上主天主前,禁食祈禱,
As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and for days I continued grieving and fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 說:「唉! 上主,天上的天主! 偉大可畏的天主! 那對愛你和守你誡命的人,履行信約,施行慈愛的,
Then I said, “You are Yahweh, God of heaven, the God who is great and awesome, who keeps the covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.
6 求你側耳,求你睜眼,俯聽你僕人的祈禱即我,現今在你面前,日夜為你的僕人以色列子民所行的祈禱。我承認以色列子民對你所犯的罪過,因為我和我父家都犯了罪。
Listen to my prayer and open your eyes, so you may hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants. I am confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my father's house have sinned.
7 我們的確作惡得罪了你,沒有遵守你吩咐你的僕人梅瑟,所立定的誡命、律令和典章。
We have acted very wickedly against you, and we have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules you commanded your servant Moses.
8 求你記憶你向你的僕人梅瑟所吩咐的話說:如果你們不忠實,我要將你們分散在萬民之中;
Please call to mind the word you commanded your servant Moses, 'If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations,
9 但如果你們又回心歸向我,遵守履行我的誡命,即便你們分散到天涯地角,我也要從那裏,將你們聚集起來,領你們到我所選,為作我名居所的地方去。──
but if you return to me and follow my commandments and do them, though your people were scattered under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to that place where I have chosen to make my name remain.'
10 他們都是你的僕人,你的人民,是你用強力和大能的手,所拯救出來的。
Now they are your servants and your people, whom you have rescued by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 我主,求你側耳俯聽你僕人的祈禱,傾聽這些喜愛敬畏你名的僕人的祈禱! 求你今天使你的僕人順利,使他在那人前獲得寵遇。」我當時是君王的酒政。
Yahweh, I beg you, listen now to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to honor your name. Now give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” I served as cupbearer to the king.

< 尼希米記 1 >