UNehemiya 7
1 Kwasekusithi umduli usuwakhiwe, sengimisile izivalo, abalindi bamasango labahlabeleli lamaLevi sebebekiwe,
After the wall had been finished and we had put the gates in their places, we assigned to the temple guards and to the members of the [sacred] choir and the other descendants of Levi the work that they were to do.
2 ngalaya uHanani umfowethu loHananiya umbusi wenqaba mayelana leJerusalema, ngoba wayenjengomuntu othembekileyo lowesaba uNkulunkulu okwedlula abanengi.
I appointed two men to [help me to] govern Jerusalem, my brother Hanani and Hananiah who was the commander of the fortress [in Jerusalem]. Hananiah always did his work reliably, and he revered God more than most other people do.
3 Ngasengisithi kibo: Amasango eJerusalema kangavulwa lize litshise ilanga; besemi kabavale izivalo banxibe. Njalo umise abalindi kubahlali beJerusalema, ngulowo lalowo emlindweni wakhe, njalo ngulowo maqondana lendlu yakhe.
I said to them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until late each morning. And close the gates and put the bars across the doors [(late in each afternoon/before sunset)] while the gatekeepers are still guarding the gates.” I also told them to appoint some people who lived in Jerusalem to be guards [on the wall], and to assign some of them to be guards at certain other places and to assign others to guard the area close to their own houses.
4 Njalo umuzi wawubanzi inhlangothi zombili, umkhulu, kodwa abantu babebalutshwana phakathi kwawo, izindlu zingakakhiwa.
The city [of Jerusalem] covered a large area, but [at that time] not many people lived in the city, and they had not built many new houses yet [HYP].
5 UNkulunkulu wami wasenika enhliziyweni yami ukuthi ngibuthanise izikhulu lababusi labantu ukuthi babhalwe ngezizukulwana. Ngasengithola ugwalo lwezizukulwana zalabo abenyuka kuqala, ngathola kubhalwe kulo:
[To defend the city, we needed more people there.] Then God gave me the idea to summon the leaders and officials and [other] people, and to look in the books [in which were written the names] of all the people and their clans. So I found the records of the people who had first returned from Babylonia. This is what I found written in those records:
6 Laba ngabantwana besabelo abenyuka bevela ekuthunjweni kwabathunjiweyo uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni abathumbayo; basebebuyela eJerusalema lakoJuda, ngulowo lalowo emzini wakibo,
(This is a list/Here are the names) of the people who returned to Jerusalem and to other places in Judea. They had been living in Babylonia since King Nebuchadnezzar’s army had captured their relatives/ancestors and took them to Babylonia. But they had returned to Judea and were living in the towns [where their ancestors had lived].
7 abafika loZerubhabheli, uJeshuwa, uNehemiya, uAzariya, uRahamiya, uNahamani, uModekhayi, uBilishani, uMisiperethi, uBigivayi, uNehuma, uBahana. Inani lamadoda esizwe sakoIsrayeli:
Their leaders were Zerubbabel, Joshua, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah, and me. This is a list of the number of men in each clan who returned:
8 Abantwana bakoParoshi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lekhulu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.
2,172 men from the clan of Parosh;
9 Abantwana bakoShefathiya: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.
372 men from the clan of Shephatiah;
10 Abantwana bakoAra: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lambili.
652 men from the clan of Arah;
11 Abantwana bakoPahathi-Mowabi, babantwana bakoJeshuwa loJowabi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu ayisificaminwembili letshumi lesificaminwembili.
2,818 men from the clan of Pahath-Moab, who are descendants of Jeshua and Joab;
12 Abantwana bakoElamu: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lane.
1,254 men from the clan of Elam;
13 Abantwana bakoZathu: Amakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi amane lanhlanu.
845 men from the clan of Zattu;
14 Abantwana bakoZakayi: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisithupha.
760 men from the clan of Zaccai;
15 Abantwana bakoBinuwi: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lesificaminwembili.
648 men from the clan of Bani (OR, Binnui);
16 Abantwana bakoBebayi: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.
628 men from the clan of Bebai;
17 Abantwana bakoAzigadi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lambili.
2,322 men from the clan of Azgad;
18 Abantwana bakoAdonikamu: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisa.
667 men from the clan of Adonikam;
19 Abantwana bakoBigivayi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisa.
2,067 men from the clan of Bigvai;
20 Abantwana bakoAdini: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lanhlanu.
655 men from the clan of Adin;
21 Abantwana bakoAteri, bakoHezekhiya: Amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lesificaminwembili.
98 men from the clan of Ater, whose other name is Hezekiah;
22 Abantwana bakoHashuma: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.
328 men from the clan of Hashum;
23 Abantwana bakoBezayi: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lane.
324 men from the clan of Bezai;
24 Abantwana bakoHarifi: Ikhulu letshumi lambili.
112 men from the clan of Hariph, [whose other name is Jorah];
25 Abantwana bakoGibeyoni: Amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu.
95 men from the clan of Gibeon, [whose other name is Gibbar].
26 Amadoda eBhethelehema leNetofa: Ikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lesificaminwembili.
Men whose ancestors had lived in these towns also returned: 188 men from Bethlehem and Netophah
27 Amadoda eAnathothi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.
128 men from Anathoth;
28 Amadoda eBeti-Azimavethi: Amatshumi amane lambili.
42 men from Beth-Azmaveth
29 Amadoda eKiriyathi-Jeyarimi, iKefira, leBherothi: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amane lantathu.
743 men from Kiriath-Jearim, Kephirah and Beeroth;
30 Amadoda eRama leGeba: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lanye.
621 men from Ramah and Geba;
31 Amadoda eMikimasi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lambili.
122 men from Micmash;
32 Amadoda eBhetheli leAyi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lantathu.
123 men from Bethel and Ai;
33 Amadoda enye iNebo: Amatshumi amahlanu lambili.
52 men from Nebo;
34 Abantwana benye iElamu: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lane.
1,254 from Elam;
35 Abantwana beHarimi: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili.
320 from Harim;
36 Abantwana beJeriko: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amane lanhlanu.
345 from Jericho;
37 Abantwana beLodi, iHadidi, leOno: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili lanye.
721 from Lod, Hadid, and Ono;
38 Abantwana beSenaha: Izinkulungwane ezintathu lamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amathathu.
3,930 from Senaah. The following priests also returned:
39 Abapristi. Abantwana bakoJedaya, bendlu kaJeshuwa: Amakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lantathu.
973 from the clan of Jedaiah who are descendants of Jeshua;
40 Abantwana bakoImeri: Inkulungwane lamatshumi amahlanu lambili.
1,052 from the clan of Immer;
41 Abantwana bakoPashuri: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lesikhombisa.
1,247 from the clan of Pashhur;
42 Abantwana bakoHarimi: Inkulungwane letshumi lesikhombisa.
1,017 from the clan of Harim.
43 AmaLevi. Abantwana bakoJeshuwa, bakoKadimiyeli, babantwana bakoHodeva: Amatshumi ayisikhombisa lane.
[Other] descendants of Levi who returned were: 74 from the clan of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who are descendants of Hodevah [who is also known as Hodaviah];
44 Abahlabeleli. Abantwana bakoAsafi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amane lesificaminwembili.
148 singers who are descendants of Asaph.
45 Abalindimasango. Abantwana bakoShaluma, abantwana bakoAteri, abantwana bakoTalimoni, abantwana bakoAkubi, abantwana bakoHatita, abantwana bakoShobayi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amathathu lesificaminwembili.
Also 138 temple gatekeepers from the clans of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai returned.
46 AmaNethini. Abantwana bakoZiha, abantwana bakoHasufa, abantwana bakoTabhawothi,
Temple workers who returned were descendants of these men: Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth,
47 abantwana bakoKerosi, abantwana bakoSiya, abantwana bakoPadoni,
Keros, Sia [who is also known as Siaha], Padon,
48 abantwana bakoLebana, abantwana bakoHagaba, abantwana bakoShalimayi,
Lebanah, Hagabah, Shalmai,
49 abantwana bakoHanani, abantwana bakoGideli, abantwana bakoGahari,
Hanan, Giddel, Gahar,
50 abantwana bakoReyaya, abantwana bakoRezini, abantwana bakoNekoda,
Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda,
51 abantwana bakoGazama, abantwana bakoUza, abantwana bakoPhaseya,
Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,
52 abantwana bakoBhesayi, abantwana bakoMewunimi, abantwana bakoNefushesimi,
Besai, Meunim, Ephusesim [who is also called Nephusim],
53 abantwana abakoBakibuki, abantwana bakoHakufa, abantwana bakoHarihuri,
Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,
54 abantwana bakoBazilithi, abantwana bakoMehida, abantwana bakoHarisha,
Bazlith [who is also called Bazluth], Mehida, Harsha,
55 abantwana bakoBarkosi, abantwana bakoSisera, abantwana bakoThama,
Barkos, Sisera, Temah,
56 abantwana bakoNeziya, abantwana bakoHatifa.
Neziah, and Hatipha.
57 Abantwana benceku zikaSolomoni. Abantwana bakoSotayi, abantwana bakoSoferethi, abantwana bakoPerida,
Descendants of the servants of King Solomon who returned were: Sotai, Sophereth [who is also called Hassophereth], Perida [who is also known as Peruda],
58 abantwana bakoJahala, abantwana bakoDarkoni, abantwana bakoGideli,
Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel,
59 abantwana bakoShefathiya, abantwana bakoHathili, abantwana bakoPokerethi kaHazebayimi, abantwana bakoAmoni.
Shephatiah, Hattil, Pokereth-hazzebaim, and Amon.
60 Wonke amaNethini labantwana benceku zikaSolomoni: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lambili.
Altogether, there were 392 temple workers and descendants of Solomon’s servants who returned.
61 Laba ngabenyuka bevela eTeli-Mela, iTeli-Harisha, iKerubi, iAdoni, leImeri, kodwa babengelakutshengisa indlu yaboyise lenzalo yabo, uba bavela koIsrayeli yini.
Another group of 642 people from the clans of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda also returned. They came from the towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Kerub, Addan ([which is also known as Addon]), and Immer [in Babylonia]. But they could not prove that they were descendants of Israelis.
62 Abantwana bakoDelaya, abantwana bakoTobiya, abantwana bakoNekoda: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lambili.
63 Lakubapristi: Abantwana bakoHabaya, abantwana bakoHakozi, abantwana bakoBarizilayi, owayethethe emadodakazini kaBarizilayi umGileyadi ukuba ngumkakhe, wasebizwa ngebizo lawo.
Priests from the clans of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai also returned. Barzillai had married a woman who is a descendant of [a man named] Barzillai from [the] Gilead [region], and he had taken his wife’s family name.
64 Laba badinga ukubhalwa kwabo oluhlwini lwababhaliweyo ngezizukulwana, kodwa kakutholakalanga; basebekhutshwa ebupristini njengabangcolileyo.
They searched in the records that contained the names of people’s ancestors, but they could not find the names of those clans, so they were not allowed to have the rights and duties that priests have right away.
65 Umbusi wasesithi kubo bangadli okwezingcwelengcwele, kuze kusukume umpristi oleUrimi leThumimi.
The governor told them that before they could eat the food offered as sacrifices, a priest should use the marked stones [to find out what God said about their being priests].
66 Ibandla lonke lindawonye lalizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisithupha,
Altogether, there were 42,360 people who returned to Judea.
67 ngaphandle kwenceku zabo lencekukazi zabo; lezi zazizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa; njalo babelabahlabeleli labahlabelelikazi abangamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lanhlanu.
There were also 7,337 of their servants, and 245 singers, which included men and women.
68 Amabhiza abo, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amathathu lesithupha; imbongolo zabo, amakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lanhlanu;
The Israelis also brought back [from Babylonia] 736 horses, 245 mules,
69 amakamela, amakhulu amane lamatshumi amathathu lanhlanu; obabhemi, inkulungwane eziyisithupha lamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili.
435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
70 Ezinye-ke zenhloko zaboyise zanikela emsebenzini. Umbusi wanikela kokuligugu inhlamvu zegolide eziyinkulungwane, imiganu yokufafaza engamatshumi amahlanu, izigqoko zabapristi ezingamakhulu amahlanu lamatshumi amathathu.
Some of the leaders of the clans gave gifts for the work [of rebuilding the temple]. I, being the governor, gave (17 pounds/8.6 kg.) of gold, 50 bowls [to be used in the temple], and 530 robes for the priests.
71 Lezinye zezinhloko zaboyise zanikela kokuligugu komsebenzi inhlamvu zegolide ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lamamane esiliva azinkulungwane ezilikhulu letshumi.
Some of the leaders of the clans gave a total of (337 pounds/153 kg.) of gold, and (3,215 pounds/1,460 kg.) of silver.
72 Lalokho abaseleyo babantu abakunikelayo kwakuzinhlamvu zegolide ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lamamane esiliva azinkulungwane ezilikhulu lezigqoko zabapristi ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisa.
The rest of the people gave a total of (337 pounds/153 kg.) of gold, (2,923 pounds/1,330 kg.) of silver, and 67 robes for the priests.
73 Abapristi lamaLevi labalindimasango labahlabeleli labanye babantu lamaNethini loIsrayeli wonke basebehlala emizini yabo. Kwathi inyanga yesikhombisa isifikile, abantwana bakoIsrayeli babesemizini yabo.
So the priests, the [other] descendants of Levi [who helped the priests], the temple guards, the musicians, the temple workers, and many ordinary people, who were all Israelis, started to live in the towns and cities of Judea [where their ancestors had lived].
