Nehemiæ 1

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

This is the account of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was in the fortress at 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, came from Judah with some other men. I asked them about the remnant of the Jewish exiles who had returned from captivity, 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

They told me, “The remnant who are left from the exile are there in the province, but they are having a great deal of trouble and feel humiliated. Jerusalem's walls have been knocked over, and its gates burned down.”

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

When I heard the news, I sat down, weeping and mourning for days, fasting and praying to 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 prayed, “Please, Lord God of heaven—the great and awesome God who keeps his agreement of trustworthy love 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

please listen and focus your attention on the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you now, day and night, on behalf of your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you, including my own sins and those of my family.

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

We have done terrible things to offend you and we have not kept the commandments, laws, and regulations that you gave to your servant Moses.

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

Please remember what you told 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 come back to me and follow my commandments and obey them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will gather them together and bring them to the place I have chosen where I will be honored.

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

They are your servants and our people. You saved them by your great power and incredible ability.

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

Lord, please respond to my prayer and to the prayers of those who love to worship you. Please let me be successful today and make the king sympathetic to me.” I was the king's cupbearer.