Nehemia 1
1 Maneno ya Nehemia mwana wa Hakalia: Katika mwezi wa Kisleu katika mwaka wa ishirini, wakati nilikuwa ngomeni katika jumba la kifalme la Shushani,
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: Now it happened in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in the fortress of Susa,
2 Hanani, mmoja wa ndugu zangu, alikuja kutoka Yuda akiwa na watu wengine, nami nikawauliza kuhusu mabaki ya Wayahudi wale walionusurika kwenda uhamishoni na pia kuhusu Yerusalemu.
that one of my brothers, Hanani, came with some people from Judah, and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, the remnant of the Jews who were there, and about Jerusalem.
3 Wakaniambia, “Wale walionusurika kwenda uhamishoni, wale ambao wamerudi kwenye lile jimbo, wako katika taabu kubwa na aibu. Ukuta wa Yerusalemu umebomoka, na malango yake yamechomwa moto.”
They said to me, “Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace because the wall of Jerusalem has been broken open, and its gates have been set on fire.”
4 Niliposikia mambo haya, niliketi, nikalia. Kwa siku kadhaa niliomboleza na kufunga na kuomba mbele za Mungu wa mbinguni.
As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and for days I continued grieving and fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 Kisha nikasema: “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa mbinguni, mkuu na mwenye kuogofya, ambaye hulishika agano lake la upendo na wale wampendao na kutii amri zake,
Then I said, “You are Yahweh, God of heaven, the God who is great and awesome, who keeps the covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.
6 tega masikio yako, na ufungue macho yako, ili usikie maombi ya mtumishi wako anayoomba mbele yako usiku na mchana kwa ajili ya watumishi wako, watu wa Israeli. Ninaungama dhambi zetu sisi Waisraeli, pamoja na zangu na za nyumba ya baba yangu, tulizotenda dhidi yako.
Listen to my prayer and open your eyes, so you may hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants. I am confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my father's house have sinned.
7 Tumetenda uovu sana mbele zako. Hatukutii amri, maagizo na sheria ulizompa Mose mtumishi wako.
We have acted very wickedly against you, and we have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules you commanded your servant Moses.
8 “Kumbuka agizo ulilompa Mose mtumishi wako, ukisema, ‘Kama mkikosa uaminifu, nitawatawanya miongoni mwa mataifa,
Please call to mind the word you commanded your servant Moses, 'If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations,
9 lakini mkinirudia na kutii amri zangu, ndipo hata kama watu wenu walio uhamishoni wako mbali sana katika miisho ya dunia, nitawakusanya kutoka huko na kuwaleta mahali ambapo nimepachagua kuwa makao kwa ajili ya Jina langu.’
but if you return to me and follow my commandments and do them, though your people were scattered under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to that place where I have chosen to make my name remain.'
10 “Hawa ni watumishi wako na watu wako, uliowakomboa kwa nguvu zako kuu na mkono wako wenye nguvu.
Now they are your servants and your people, whom you have rescued by your great power and by your strong hand.
11 Ee Bwana, tega sikio lako na usikie maombi ya huyu mtumishi wako, na maombi ya watumishi wako wanaofurahia kuliheshimu Jina lako. Nipe leo, mimi mtumishi wako, mafanikio kwa kunipa kibali mbele ya mtu huyu.” Kwa maana nilikuwa mnyweshaji wa mfalme.
Yahweh, I beg you, listen now to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to honor your name. Now give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” I served as cupbearer to the king.
