Nehemías 1
1 Este es el relato de Nehemías, hijo de Hacalías. En el mes de Quisleu, en el vigésimo año del reinado de Artajerjes, yo estaba en la fortaleza de Susa.
The words of Neemias the son of Chelcia. And it came to pass in the month Chaseleu, of the twentieth year, that I was in Susan the palace.
2 Hanani, uno de mis hermanos, vino de Judá con otros hombres. Les pregunté sobre el remanente de los exiliados judíos que habían regresado del cautiverio, y también sobre Jerusalén.
And Anani, one of my brethren, came, he and [some] men of Juda; and I asked them concerning those that had escaped, who had been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 Me dijeron: “El remanente que quedó del exilio está allí en la provincia, pero tiene muchos problemas y se siente humillado. Las murallas de Jerusalén han sido derribadas y sus puertas incendiadas”.
And they said to me, The remnant, [even] those that are left of the captivity, [are] there in the land, in great distress and reproach: and the walls of Jerusalem [are] thrown down, and its gates are burnt with fire.
4 Cuando me enteré de la noticia, me senté, llorando y lamentándome durante días, ayunando y orando al Dios del cielo.
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, [that] I sat down and wept, and mourned for [several] days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 Entonces oré: “Por favor, Señor Dios del cielo – el Dios grande y asombroso que mantiene su acuerdo de amor confiable con los que lo aman y guardan sus mandamientos –
And I said, Nay, I pray you, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty, the great and terrible, keeping your covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to those that keep his commandments:
6 por favor escucha y enfoca tu atención en la oración de tu siervo que te estoy orando ahora, día y noche, en nombre de tus siervos, los israelitas. Confieso los pecados que los israelitas hemos cometido contra ti, incluidos los míos y los de mi familia.
let now your ear be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, this day [both] day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and make confession for the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and the house of my father have sinned.
7 Hemos hecho cosas terribles para ofenderte y no hemos cumplido los mandamientos, las leyes y los reglamentos que le diste a tu siervo Moisés.
We have altogether broken [covenant] with you, and we have not kept the commandments, and the ordinances, and the judgements, which you did command your servant Moses.
8 “Por favor, recuerda lo que le dijiste a Moisés cuando le dijiste: ‘Si son infieles, los dispersaré entre las naciones,
Remember, I pray you, the word wherewith you did charge your servant Moses, saying, If you break covenant [with me], I will disperse you amongst the nations.
9 pero si vuelven a mí y siguen mis mandamientos y los obedecen, entonces, aunque sean exiliados hasta los confines de la tierra, los reuniré y los llevaré al lugar que he elegido donde seré honrado.
But if you turn again to me, and keep my commandments, and do them; if you should be scattered under the utmost [bound] of heaven, thence will I gather them, and I will bring them into the place which I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there.
10 Ellos son tus siervos y nuestro pueblo. Los has salvado con tu gran poder y tu increíble fuerza.
Now they [are] your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed with your great power, and with your strong hand.
11 Señor, por favor responde a mi oración y a las oraciones de los que aman adorarte. Por favor, permíteme tener éxito hoy y haz que el rey simpatice conmigo’”. Yo era el copero del rey.
[Turn] not [away], I pray you, O Lord, but let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your name: and prosper, I pray you, your servant this day, and cause him to find mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was the king's cupbearer.
