Nehemia 9
1 Ary tamin’ ny andro fahefatra amby roa-polo tamin’ izany volana izany dia niangona ny Zanak’ Isiraely, sady nifady hanina no samy nitafy lamba fisaonana sy nihosin-tany.
On the twenty-fourth day of this same month, the Israelites met together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.
2 Dia niavaka tamin’ ny olona hafa firenena rehetra ny taranak’ Isiraely ary nitsangana ka niaiky ny fahotany sy ny heloky ny razany.
Those of Israelite ancestry separated themselves from the foreigners, and stood to confess their sins and those of their forefathers.
3 Ary nitsangana teo amin’ ny fitoerany avy izy, dia namaky ny teny tao amin’ ny bokin’ ny lalàn’ i Jehovah Andriamaniny tamin’ ny ampahefatry ny andro; ary tamin’ ny ampahefatry ny andro koa dia nitsotra sy niankohoka teo anatrehan’ i Jehovah Andriamaniny izy.
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 Ary Jesoa sy Bany sy Kadmiela sy Sebania sy Bony sy Serebia sy Bany ary Kenany dia nitsangana teo ambonin’ ny lampihazon’ ny Levita ka nitaraina mafy tamin’ i Jehovah Andriamaniny.
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 Ary hoy ny Levita, dia Jesoa sy Kadmiela sy Bany sy Hasabnia sy Serebia sy Hodia sy Sebania ary Petahia: Mitsangana, ka misaora an’ i Jehovah Andriamanitrareo mandrakizay mandrakizay. Ary isaorana anie ny anaranao malaza, izay voasandratra ambonin’ ny fisaorana sy ny fiderana rehetra.
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 Hianao dia Hianao irery ihany no Jehovah; Hianao no nanao ny lanitra, dia ny lanitry ny lanitra, mbamin’ izay rehetra any aminy, ny tany sy izay rehetra eo aminy, ny ranomasina sy izay rehetra ao aminy, ary Hianao no mamelona azy rehetra; ary ireo maro any an-danitra samy miankohoka eo anatrehanao.
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 Hianao no Jehovah Andriamanitra, Izay nifidy an’ i Abrama ka nitondra azy nivoaka avy tany Oran’ ny Kaldeana sady nanao ny anarany hoe Abrahama;
You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram, who led him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham.
8 ary Hianao nahita ny fony fa nahatoky teo anatrehanao, ka dia nanao ilay fanekena taminy hanome ny tanin’ ny Kananita sy ny Hetita sy ny Amorita sy ny Perizita sy ny Jebosita ary ny Girgasita ho an’ ny taranany; ary efa nahatanteraka ny teninao Hianao, satria marina Hianao.
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 Ary nahita ny fahorian’ ny razanay tany Egypta koa Hianao sady nandre ny fitarainany teo amoron’ ny Ranomasina Mena,
You saw how much our forefathers were suffering in Egypt. You heard their cries for help at the Red Sea.
10 dia nanao famantarana sy fahagagana tamin’ i Farao sy ny mpanompony rehetra sy tamin’ ny olona rehetra tany amin’ ny taniny Hianao; fa fantatrao fa nirehareha taminy ireo; dia nanao anarana ho Anao Hianao tahaka ny amin’ izao anio izao.
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 Ary ny ranomasina dia nosarahinao teo anoloany, ka nandeha namaky teo afovoan’ ny ranomasina nandia ny tany maina izy; ary ireo nanenjika azy dia natsipinao hilentika amin’ ny lalina tahaka ny vato amin’ ny rano manonja.
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 Andri-rahona no nitondranao azy raha antoandro, ary andri-afo nony alina, mba hampahazava azy hahitany izay lalana tokony halehany.
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 Efa nidina tao ambonin’ ny tendrombohitra Sinay Hianao, dia niteny taminy tany an-danitra ka nanome azy fitsipika mahitsy sy lalana marina ary fomba sy didy tsara.
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 Ary nampahalala azy ny Sabatanao masìna Hianao, ary Mosesy mpanomponao nampilazainao didy sy fomba ary lalàna taminy;
You explained your holy Sabbath to them. You gave them commandments and regulations and laws through your servant Moses.
15 ary mofo avy tany an-danitra no nomenao azy, raha noana izy; ary rano avy tamin’ ny vatolampy no navoakanao hosotroiny, raha nangetaheta izy; ary nilaza taminy Hianao fa hiditra ka handova ny tany izay nanangananao tanàna homena azy izy.
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 Fa niavonavona ireny razanay ireny, dia nanamafy ny hatony ka tsy nihaino ny didinao,
But they and our forefathers acted arrogantly and became stubborn, and didn't pay attention to your commands.
17 ary nandà tsy nety nanaraka izany izy sady tsy nahatsiaro ny fahagagana izay nataonao teo aminy; fa nanamafy ny hatony izy ka niodina, dia nanendry mpitarika mba hiverenany ho any amin’ ny fahandevozany; fa Andriamanitry ny famelan-keloka Hianao ka miantra sy mamindra fo, mahari-po sady be famindram-po, ka dia tsy nahafoy azy.
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 Eny, nanao ilay ombilahy kely an-idina izy ka nanao hoe: Io no andriamanitrao izay nitondra anao hiakatra avy tany Egypta, dia nampahasosotra indrindra izy;
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 kanefa noho ny haben’ ny famindram-ponao dia tsy mba nahafoy azy tany an-efitra Hianao; ny andri-rahona, izay nitondra azy teny an-dalana, dia tsy niala taminy raha antoandro, na ny andri-afo, izay nampahazava azy nony alina, hahitany izay lalana tokony halehany.
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 Ary ny Fanahinao tsara dia nomenao azy koa hampianatra azy, ary tsy niaro ny namanao tamin’ ny vavany Hianao sady nanome azy rano, raha nangetaheta izy;
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 eny, efa-polo taona no namelomanao azy tany an-efitra, ka tsy nanan-java-mahory akory izy; tsy rovitra ny fitafiany, ary tsy nivonto ny tongony.
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 Ary nanome azy fanjakana sy firenena maro Hianao, ka voazaranao araka ny faritaniny avy ireny; ka dia nahazo ny tanin’ i Sihona sy ny tanin’ ny mpanjakan’ i Hesbona ary ny tanin’ i Oga, mpanjakan’ i Basana, izy.
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 Ary ny zanany dia nohamaroinao ho tahaka ny kintana eny amin’ ny lanitra, sady nentinao ho amin’ ny tany izay nolazainao tamin’ ny razany fa hidirany holovana.
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 Dia niditra ny zanany ka nandova ny tany, ary nampietrenao teo anoloany ny Kananita tompon-tany, dia natolotrao ho eo an-tanany ireo mbamin’ ny mpanjakany sy ny vahoakany hanaovany azy araka ny sitrapony.
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 Ary nahazo tanana mimanda sy tany lonaka izy ary trano feno zava-tsoa rehetra sy lavaka famorian-drano voahady sy tany voavoly voaloboka sy oliva ary hazo fihinam-boa betsaka; dia nihinana izy ka voky ary nihanatavy ka nifalifaly tamin’ ny fahatsaranao lehibe.
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 Kanefa nandà izy sady niodina taminao ary nanary ny lalànao teo ivohony, dia namono ny mpaminaninao, izay nananatra azy mafy hampiverenana azy ho aminao, ka nanao izay nampahasosotra indrindra izy.
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 Koa dia natolotrao ho eo an-tànan’ ny fahavalony izy, ka nampahory azy ireny; nefa tamin’ ny andro fahoriany dia nitaraina taminao izy, ka nihaino azy tany an-danitra Hianao, ary araka ny haben’ ny fiantranao dia nomenao mpamonjy izy, ka namonjy azy tamin’ ny tanan’ ny fahavalony ireo.
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 Kanjo rehefa niadana izy, dia nanao ratsy teo anatrehanao indray; dia nafoinao ho eo an-tànan’ ny fahavalony kosa izy, ka nanapaka azy ireny; fa nitaraina taminao indray izy, ary Hianao nihaino azy tany an-danitra ka namonjy izy matetika araka ny haben’ ny fiantranao.
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 Ary nananatra azy mafy Hianao hampiverenanao azy ho amin’ ny lalànao; kanefa mbola niavonavona ihany izy ka tsy nihaino ny didinao, fa nanota ny fitsipikao (iza mahavelona ny olona mankatò azy) ka nampihemotra ny sorony sy nanamafy ny hatony ary tsy nety nihaino.
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 Nefa nandefitra taona maro taminy Hianao, ary ny Fanahinao, Izay tao amin’ ny mpaminaninao, no nentinao nananatra azy mafy; fa tsy nety nihaino ihany izy, ka dia natolotrao ho eo an-tànan’ ny firenena amin’ ny tany hafa.
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 Nefa noho ny haben’ ny fiantranao dia tsy navelanao ho lany ringana izy ary tsy nafoinao, satria Andriamanitra mamindra fo sy miantra Hianao.
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 Koa ankehitriny, ry Andriamanitray ô, Andriamanitra lehibe sady mahery no mahatahotra, Izay mitandrina ny fanekenao sy ny famindram-ponao, aoka tsy ho kely eo imasonao ny fahoriana rehetra izay nanjo anay, dia ny mpanjakanay sy ny mpanapaka anay sy ny mpisoronay sy ny mpaminaninay ary ny razanay, dia ny olonao rehetra, hatramin’ ny andron’ ireo mpanjakan’ i Asyria ka mandraka androany.
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 Hianao no marina tamin’ izay rehetra nanjo anay, fa marina ny nataonao; fa izahay no nanao ratsy;
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 ary ny mpanjakanay sy ny mpanapaka anay sy ny mpisoronay ary ny razanay dia samy tsy nankato ny lalànao, na nihaino ny didinao sy ny teni-vavolombelonao, izay nananaranao azy mafy.
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 Fa tsy nanompo Anao teo amin’ ny fanjakany izy sy teo amin’ ny haben’ ny zava-tsoa nomenao azy ary teo amin’ ny tany malalaka sy lonaka izay nomenao ho eo anoloany, sady tsy niala tamin’ ny ratsy fanaony izy.
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 Koa, indreto, andevo izahay izao, ary ny amin’ ny tany izay nomenao ny razanay hihinanany ny vokatra sy ny soa avy aminy, indreto, andevo eto izahay;
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 ary mahavokatra be izy, kanefa ho an’ ireo mpanjaka izay notendrenao hanapaka anay noho ny fahotanay ihany izany; eny, manapaka ny tenanay sy ny biby fiompinay araka ny sitrapony izy, ka ozoim-pahoriana mafy izahay.
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 Ary noho izany rehetra izany dia manao fanekena mafy izahay, ka soratanay izany ary manisy tombo-kase eo aminy ny mpanapaka anay sy ny Levitanay ary ny mpisoronay.
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.”
