Nehemiæ 1

1 verba Neemiae filii Echliae et factum est in mense casleu anno vicesimo et ego eram in Susis castro

These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,

2 et venit Anani unus de fratribus meis ipse et viri ex Iuda et interrogavi eos de Iudaeis qui remanserant et supererant de captivitate et de Hierusalem

Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

3 et dixerunt mihi qui remanserunt et derelicti sunt de captivitate ibi in provincia in adflictione magna sunt et in obprobrio et murus Hierusalem dissipatus est et portae eius conbustae sunt igni

And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

4 cumque audissem verba huiuscemodi sedi et flevi et luxi diebus et ieiunabam et orabam ante faciem Dei caeli

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 et dixi quaeso Domine Deus caeli fortis magne atque terribilis qui custodis pactum et misericordiam cum his qui te diligunt et custodiunt mandata tua

Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

6 fiat auris tua auscultans et oculi tui aperti ut audias orationem servi tui quam ego oro coram te hodie nocte et die pro filiis Israhel servis tuis et confiteor pro peccatis filiorum Israhel quibus peccaverunt tibi et ego et domus patris mei peccavimus

let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

7 vanitate seducti sumus et non custodivimus mandatum et caerimonias et iudicia quae praecepisti Mosi servo tuo

We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.

8 memento verbi quod mandasti Mosi famulo tuo dicens cum transgressi fueritis ego dispergam vos in populos

Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,

9 et si revertamini ad me et custodiatis mandata mea et faciatis ea etiam si abducti fueritis ad extrema caeli inde congregabo vos et inducam in locum quem elegi ut habitaret nomen meum ibi

but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’

10 et ipsi servi tui et populus tuus quos redemisti in fortitudine tua magna et in manu tua valida

They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand.

11 obsecro Domine sit auris tua adtendens ad orationem servi tui et ad orationem servorum tuorum qui volunt timere nomen tuum et dirige servum tuum hodie et da ei misericordiam ante virum hunc ego enim eram pincerna regis

O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)