Nekkemiya 9

1 Awo ku lunaku olw’amakumi abiri mu ennya mu mwezi gwe gumu, Abayisirayiri ne bakuŋŋaana ne basiiba, nga bambadde ebibukutu era nga beesiize enfuufu ku mitwe gyabwe.

On the twenty-fourth day of this same month, the Israelites met together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.

2 Ab’ezzadde lya Isirayiri beeyawula ku bannamawanga bonna, ne bayimirira mu bifo byabwe ne baatula ebibi byabwe n’obutali butuukirivu bwa bajjajjaabwe.

Those of Israelite ancestry separated themselves from the foreigners, and stood to confess their sins and those of their forefathers.

3 Ne bayimirira we baali ne basoma mu Kitabo ky’Amateeka ga Mukama Katonda waabwe, okumala essaawa ssatu, n’oluvannyuma ne baatula era ne basinza Mukama Katonda waabwe okumala essaawa endala nga ssatu.

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 Bano be Baleevi abaali bayimiridde ku madaala: Yesuwa, ne Baani, ne Kadumyeri, ne Sebaniya, ne Bunni, ne Serebiya, ne Baani ne Kenani, abaakoowoolanga Mukama Katonda waabwe mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka.

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 Awo Abaleevi, Yesuwa, ne Kadumyeri, ne Baani, ne Kasabuneya, ne Serebiya, ne Kodiya, ne Sebaniya ne Pesakiya ne boogera nti, “Muyimirire, mwebaze Mukama Katonda wammwe ow’emirembe n’emirembe.” “Erinnya lyo ligulumizibwe, litiibwe era ligulumizibwe okukira okusinza kwonna n’okutendereza kwonna.

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 Ggwe wekka, ggwe Mukama, era ggwe wakola eggulu, n’eggulu erya waggulu, n’eggye lyalyo lyonna, n’ensi n’ebigirimu byonna, n’ennyanja n’ebigirimu byonna. Buli kintu gw’okiwa obulamu, era n’eggye ery’omu ggulu likusinza.

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 “Ggwe Mukama Katonda, eyalonda Ibulaamu n’omuggya mu Uli eky’Abakaludaaya n’omutuuma Ibulayimu.

You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram, who led him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.

8 Walaba omutima gwe nga mwesigwa gy’oli, n’okola naye endagaano, okuwa bazzukulu be ensi ey’Abakanani, n’Abakiiti, n’Abamoli, n’Abaperezi, n’Abayebusi, n’Abagirugaasi; era otuukiriza ekyo kye wasuubiza kubanga oli mutuukirivu.

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 “Walaba okubonaabona kwa bajjajjaffe mu Misiri, n’owulira okukaaba kwabwe ku lubalama lw’Ennyanja Emyufu.

You saw how much our forefathers were suffering in Egypt. You heard their cries for help at the Red Sea.

10 Waweereza obubonero obwewuunyisa n’ebyamagero eri Falaawo, n’eri abakungu be, n’eri abantu be bonna ab’ensi ye, kubanga wamanya engeri Abayisirayiri gye baajoogebwamu. Weekolera erinnya eryayatiikirira, n’okutuusa leero.

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 Wayawula mu mazzi g’ennyanja n’ogalaza ebbali n’ebbali mu maaso gaabwe, ne bayita wakati mu y’oku lukalu, naye abaali babagoberera wabazaaya mu buziba, ng’ejjinja bwe likasukibwa mu mazzi ag’amaanyi.

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 Emisana wakulemberanga abantu bo n’empagi ey’ekire, era n’ekiro wabakulemberanga n’empagi ey’omuliro okubamulisiza ekkubo lye baali bateekwa okukwata.

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 “Wava mu ggulu, n’okka ku Lusozi Sinaayi n’oyogera gye bali. Wabawa ebiragiro eby’obwenkanya, n’amateeka ag’amazima, byonna nga birungi.

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 Wabamanyisa Ssabbiiti yo entukuvu, era n’obawa ebiragiro n’amateeka ng’oyita mu muddu wo Musa.

You explained your holy Sabbath to them. You gave them commandments and regulations and laws through your servant Moses.

15 Bwe baalumwa enjala wabawa emmere okuva mu ggulu, ne bwe baalumwa ennyonta n’obawa amazzi okuva mu lwazi; n’obagamba bagende balye ensi gye wabalayiririra.

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 “Naye bo bajjajjaffe ne beekulumbaza ne bakakanyaza ensingo zaabwe ne batagondera biragiro byo.

But they and our forefathers acted arrogantly and became stubborn, and didn't pay attention to your commands.

17 Baagaana okukuwuliriza, ne batassaayo mwoyo okujjukira ebyamagero bye wakolera mu bo. Baakakanyaza ensingo zaabwe, era mu bujeemu bwabwe ne balonda omukulembeze okuddayo mu buddu bwabwe. Naye ggwe Katonda asonyiwa, ow’ekisa era ajjudde okusaasira, alwawo okusunguwala era ajjudde okwagala, tewabaleka.

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 Ne bwe beebumbira ennyana ensanuuse ne boogera nti, ‘Ono ye katonda wammwe eyabaggya mu Misiri,’ ne bakola n’ebitasaana bingi, mu kusaasira kwo okungi tewabaleka mu ddungu.

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 “Emisana, empagi ey’ekire teyalekerawo kubaluŋŋamya mu kkubo lyabwe, newaakubadde ekiro, empagi ey’omuliro nayo teyalekerawo kubaakira mu kkubo lye baali bateekwa okukwata.

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 Wabawa Omwoyo omulungi okubayigiriza, so tewabammanga manu okulya, era wabawanga n’amazzi okumalawo ennyonta yaabwe.

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 Wabalabirira okumala emyaka amakumi ana mu ddungu, ne batabulwa kintu, so n’engoye zaabwe tezaayulika newaakubadde ebigere byabwe okuzimba.

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 “Wabawa obwakabaka n’amawanga, n’obawa na buli nsonda ey’ebyalo. Baalya ensi ya Sikoni kabaka w’e Kesuboni, n’ensi ya Ogi kabaka w’e Basani.

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 Wayaza abazzukulu baabwe ne baba bangi ng’emmunyeenye ez’omu ggulu, n’obaleeta mu nsi gye wagamba bajjajjaabwe okuyingira bagirye.

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 Bazzukulu baabwe baayingira ne balya ensi, ne bawangula Abakanani abaabeeranga mu nsi, n’obawaayo mu mikono gyabwe wamu ne bakabaka baabwe, n’abantu b’ensi zaabwe ne babakola nga bwe baagala.

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 Baawamba ebibuga ebyaliko bbugwe n’ensi enjimu, ne batwala amayumba agaali gajudde ebintu ebirungi ebya buli ngeri, enzizi ezasimibwa edda, n’ennimiro ez’emizabbibu, n’ennimiro ez’emizeeyituuni, n’emiti egy’ebibala mingi nnyo. Baalya ne bakkuta era ne banyirira, n’okubasanyusa n’obasanyusanga olw’obulungi bwo.

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 “Naye tebaakugondera, baakujeemera ne batagoberera mateeka go. Batta bannabbi bo, abaababuuliriranga okudda gy’oli; baakola ebitasaana.

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 Kyewava obawaayo eri abalabe baabwe ne bababonyaabonya. Naye nga babonaabona bwe batyo, ne bakukaabirira, n’obawulira okuva mu ggulu, n’olw’okusaasira kwo okungi ennyo n’obaweereza abaabanunula era abaabalokola okuva mu mukono gw’abalabe baabwe.

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 “Naye bwe baafunanga emirembe, baddangamu okukola ebibi mu maaso go. Kyewava obawaayo mu mukono gw’abalabe baabwe, babafuge. Bwe baakukaabiriranga nate, ng’obawulira okuva mu ggulu, n’obalokolanga emirundi mingi ng’okusaasira kwo bwe kuli.

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 “Wabalabula okuddamu okugoberera amateeka go, naye ne baba b’amalala, ne batagondera biragiro byo. Baajeemera ebiragiro, ebireetera omuntu obulamu bw’aba ng’abigondedde. Baakunyooma ne bakuvaako, ne bakakanyaza ensingo zaabwe, ne bagaana okuwulira.

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 Wabagumiikiriza okumala emyaka mingi, Omwoyo wo n’abayigirizanga ng’ayita mu bannabbi bo, naye ne batassaayo mwoyo, kyewava obawaayo mu mukono gw’abamawanga agabaliraanye.

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 Naye olw’okusaasira kwo okungi, tewabaviirako ddala so tewabaleka, kubanga oli Katonda ow’ekisa era ajjudde okusaasira.

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 “Kale nno, Ayi Katonda waffe, omukulu ow’ekitiibwa, Katonda ow’entiisa, akuuma endagaano ye ey’okwagala, toganya bizibu bino byonna kututuukako: ebizibu ebyatuuka ne ku bakabaka baffe, ne ku bakulembeze baffe, ne ku bakabona baffe, ne ku bannabbi baffe, ne ku bajjajjaffe, ne ku bantu bo bonna okuva mu biro ebya bakabaka b’e Bwasuli n’okutuusa leero.

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 Mu byonna ebitutuukako, wali wa bwenkanya, era omwesigwa naye ffe nga tukola bibi byereere.

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 Bakabaka baffe, n’abakulembeze baffe, ne bakabona baffe, ne bajjajjaffe, tebaagobereranga mateeka go, nga tebassaayo mwoyo ku biragiro byo newaakubadde nga wabalabulanga.

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 Ne bwe baali mu bwakabaka bwabwe, nga basanyuka nnyo, mu nsi engazi era enjimu, tebaakuweerezanga newaakubadde okukyuka okuleka amakubo gaabwe amabi.

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 “Laba, tuli baddu leero, abaddu mu nsi gye wawa bajjajjaffe okulya ebibala byamu n’ebirungi ebirala by’ereeta.

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 Olw’ebibi byaffe, ebikungulwa eby’ensi eyo ebingi bitwalibwa bakabaka be wassaawo okutufuga. Batufuga n’ente zaffe nga bwe baagala, era tuli mu nnaku nnyingi nnyo.”

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 “Olw’ebyo byonna, tukola naawe endagaano ey’enkalakkalira, ne tugiteeka mu buwandiike; abakulembeze baffe, n’Abaleevi baffe, ne bakabona baffe ne bagissaako omukono n’envumbo zaabwe.”

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.”