UNehemiya 1
1 La ngamazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHakhaliya: Kwathi ngenyanga kaKhisilevi ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili, ngisenqabeni yaseSusa,
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace,
2 uHanani, omunye wabafowethu, wafika evela koJuda elamanye amadoda, ngababuza ngamaJuda lawo ayeyinsalela asinda ebugqilini, njalo ngabuza ngeJerusalema.
Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 Bathi kimi, “Labo abasindayo ebugqilini ababuyelayo elizweni baphakathi kohlupho olumangalisayo lokuyangeka okukhulu. Umduli weJerusalema wadilika lamasango ayo atshiswa ngomlilo.”
They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burnt with fire.”
4 Ngathi sengizwile lezizinto ngahlala phansi ngakhala. Okwensuku ezithile ngalila, ngazila ukudla njalo ngikhuleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu wasezulwini.
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
5 Ngasengisithi: “Oh Thixo, Nkulunkulu wasezulwini, uNkulunkulu omkhulu owesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe sothando lalabo abamthandayo, abalalela imilayo yakhe,
and said, “I beg you, LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6 ake kuthi indlebe yakho ilalele lamehlo akho avuleke ukuze uzwe umkhuleko okhulekwa yinceku yakho kuwe imini lobusuku, ikhulekela izinceku zakho, abantu bako-Israyeli. Ngiyazivuma izono ezenziwe kuwe yithi ama-Israyeli, kugoqela mina lendlu kababa.
let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
7 Senzile ububi kuwe. Kasilalelanga imilayo yakho, izimemezelo lemithetho owayinika inceku yakho uMosi.”
We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.
8 Khumbula umlayo owalaya ngawo inceku yakho uMosi wathi, “Aluba lingathembekanga ngizalichithachitha phakathi kwezizwe,
“Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you amongst the peoples;
9 kodwa nxa libuya kimi lilalele imilayo yami, lapho-ke loba abathunjiweyo bakini besemkhawulweni womhlaba, ngizabaqoqa besuka khonale ngibabuyise endaweni engiyikhethileyo ukuba likhaya leBizo lami.
but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
10 Bazinceku zakho labantu bakho owabahlengayo ngamandla akho amakhulu lesandla sakho esilamandla.
“Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 Oh Thixo, akuthi indlebe yakho ilalele umkhuleko wale inceku yakho, lomkhuleko wezinceku zakho ezithokoza ekwesabeni ibizo lakho. Phumelelisa inceku yakho lamuhla ngokuyipha isihawu phambi kwendoda le.” Ngangingumphathi wezitsha zokudla kwenkosi.
Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
