Nehemiah 9
1 Ní ọjọ́ kẹrìnlélógún oṣù kan náà, àwọn ọmọ Israẹli péjọpọ̀, wọ́n gbààwẹ̀, wọ́n wọ aṣọ ọ̀fọ̀, wọ́n sì da eruku sórí ara wọn.
On October 31, the people gathered together again. They (fasted/abstained from eating food), they wore clothes made from rough cloth, and they put dirt on their heads [to show that they were sorry for their sins].
2 Àwọn ọkùnrin Israẹli sì ya ara wọn sọ́tọ̀ kúrò nínú gbogbo àwọn àjèjì. Wọ́n dúró ní ààyè e wọn, wọ́n sì ń jẹ́wọ́ àwọn ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ ẹ wọn àti iṣẹ́ búburú àwọn baba wọn.
The Israeli people separated themselves from all the foreigners. They stood there and confessed their sins and the sins that their ancestors had committed.
3 Wọ́n dúró sí ibi tí wọ́n wà, wọ́n sì fi ìdámẹ́rin ọjọ́ kà nínú ìwé òfin Olúwa Ọlọ́run wọn, wọ́n sì tún fi ìdámẹ́rin mìíràn ní ìjẹ́wọ́ ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ àti ní sí sin Olúwa Ọlọ́run wọn.
The scroll that contained the laws of Yahweh, the God whom they [worshiped], was read to them for three hours. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and they worshiped Yahweh.
4 Nígbà náà ni Jeṣua, àti Bani, Kadmieli, Ṣebaniah, Bunni, Ṣerebiah, Bani àti Kenaani gòkè dúró lórí àwọn àtẹ̀gùn àwọn ọmọ Lefi, wọ́n sì fi ohùn rara kígbe sí Olúwa Ọlọ́run wọn.
[Some of] the descendants of Levi were standing on the stairs. They were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, [another] Bani, and Kenani.
5 Nígbà náà ni àwọn ọmọ Lefi: Jeṣua, Kadmieli, Bani, Haṣbneiah, Ṣerebiah, Hodiah, Ṣebaniah àti Petahiah—wí pé, “Ẹ dìde ẹ fi ìyìn fún Olúwa Ọlọ́run yín, tí ó wà láé àti láéláé.” “Ìbùkún ni fún orúkọ rẹ tí ó ní ògo, kí ó sì di gbígbéga ju gbogbo ìbùkún àti ìyìn lọ.
Then [the leaders of] the Levites called out to the people. They were Jeshua, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah. They said, “While you are standing there, praise Yahweh your God, who has always lived and will live forever!” [Then one of them continued by praying this to God], “Yahweh, we praise your glorious name! You are much greater than anything that we can think about or talk about!
6 Ìwọ nìkan ni Olúwa. Ìwọ ni ó dá ọ̀run, àní àwọn ọ̀run tí ó ga jù pẹ̀lú gbogbo ogun wọn, ayé àti ohun gbogbo tí ń bẹ nínú rẹ̀, òkun, àti ohun gbogbo tí ń bẹ nínú rẹ̀. Ìwọ sì pa gbogbo wọn mọ́ láàyè, ogun ọ̀run sì ń sìn ọ́.
“You only are God. You made the sky and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and everything that is on it, and you made the seas/oceans and everything that is in them. You are the one who gives life to everything and helps them remain alive. All the angels who are in heaven worship you.
7 “Ìwọ ni Olúwa Ọlọ́run, tí ó yan Abramu tí ó sì mú u jáde láti Uri ti Kaldea, tí ó sì sọ orúkọ rẹ̀ ní Abrahamu.
“Yahweh, you are God. You chose Abram and brought him out of Ur [city] in Chaldea [region]. You gave him a new name, Abraham.
8 Ìwọ sì rí í pé ọkàn rẹ̀ jẹ́ olóòtítọ́ sí ọ, ìwọ sì dá májẹ̀mú pẹ̀lú u rẹ̀ láti fi ilẹ̀ àwọn ará a Kenaani, Hiti, Amori, Peresi, Jebusi àti Girgaṣi fún irú àwọn ọmọ rẹ̀. Ìwọ ti pa ìpinnu rẹ̀ mọ́ nítorí tí ìwọ jẹ́ olódodo.
You saw that he was trustworthy. Then you made (an agreement with/a promise to) him, saying that you would give [to him and] to his descendants the land that the descendants of Canaan, Heth, Amor, Periz, Jebus, and Girgash lived in. And you have done what you promised, because you always do what is right.
9 “Ìwọ rí ìpọ́njú àwọn baba ńlá wa ní Ejibiti; ìwọ gbọ́ igbe ẹkún wọn ní Òkun Pupa.
“You saw what our ancestors were suffering in Egypt. You heard them cry to you for help when they were at the Red Sea.
10 Ìwọ rán iṣẹ́ àmì àti iṣẹ́ ìyanu sí Farao, sí gbogbo àwọn ìjòyè rẹ̀ àti sí gbogbo ènìyàn ilẹ̀ ẹ rẹ̀, nítorí ìwọ mọ ìwà ìgbéraga tí àwọn ará Ejibiti hù sí wọn. Ìwọ ra orúkọ fún ara à rẹ, èyí tí ó sì wà títí di òní yìí.
Because you knew that the leaders of Egypt were treating our ancestors very arrogantly, you performed many kinds of miracles that caused the king and his officials and all his people to suffer. As a result, you became famous then, and you are still famous!
11 Ìwọ pín òkun níwájú wọn, nítorí kí wọn lè kọjá ní ìyàngbẹ ilẹ̀, ṣùgbọ́n ìwọ sọ àwọn tí ń lépa wọn sínú ibú, bí òkúta sínú omi ńlá.
You caused the Red Sea to divide, with the result that your people walked through it on the ground without [getting their feet] wet. [After they were all safely on the other side, ] you [caused the water to come back again], and you hurled into the deep water the [soldiers of the Egyptian army] that were pursuing our ancestors. Their soldiers sank into the deep sea like stones!
12 Ní ọ̀sán ìwọ darí i wọn pẹ̀lú ọ̀wọn àwọsánmọ̀ àti ní òru ni ìwọ darí i wọn pẹ̀lú ọ̀wọn iná láti fún wọn ní ìmọ́lẹ̀ ní ọ̀nà tí wọn yóò gbà.
During each day you led our ancestors with a bright cloud that resembled a huge pillar, and each night you led them by a flaming cloud that gave them light to show them where to walk.
13 “Ìwọ sọ̀kalẹ̀ wá sí orí òkè Sinai; ìwọ bá wọn sọ̀rọ̀ láti ọ̀run. Ìwọ fún wọn ní ìlànà àti àwọn òfin tí ó jẹ́ òdodo tí ó sì tọ́ àti ìlànà tí ó dára.
“When our ancestors were at Sinai Mountain, you came down from heaven and spoke to them. You gave them many regulations and instructions that are just and reliable, and you gave them commands and laws that are good.
14 Ìwọ mú ọjọ́ ìsinmi rẹ mímọ́ di mí mọ̀ fún wọn, o sì fún wọn ní àwọn ìlànà, àwọn àṣẹ àti àwọn òfin láti ọwọ́ Mose ìránṣẹ́ rẹ.
You taught them about your holy (Sabbath/day of rest), and you gave many kinds of laws to your servant Moses for him to tell to the people.
15 Ìwọ fún wọn ní oúnjẹ láti ọ̀run wá nígbà tí ebi ń pa wọ́n àti nígbà òǹgbẹ, o fún wọn ní omi láti inú àpáta; o sì sọ fún wọn pé, kí wọ́n lọ láti lọ gba ilẹ̀ náà tí ìwọ ti jẹ́ ẹ̀jẹ́ láti fi fún wọn nípa ìgbọ́wọ́sókè.
When they were hungry, you gave them manna from the sky; and when they were thirsty, you gave them water from a rock. You commanded them to go and take, from the people who lived there, the land which you had promised to give to them.
16 “Ṣùgbọ́n àwọn, baba ńlá wa, wọ́n ṣe ìgbéraga, wọ́n sì ṣe agídí, wọn kò sì tẹríba fún àwọn ìlànà rẹ.
“But our ancestors were very proud and stubborn [IDM], and they did not do what you commanded them to do.
17 Wọ́n kọ̀ láti fetísílẹ̀, wọ́n sì kùnà láti rántí iṣẹ́ ìyanu tí ìwọ ṣe ní àárín wọn. Wọ́n ṣe agídí, nínú ìṣọ̀tẹ̀ wọn, wọ́n yan olórí láti padà sí oko ẹrú wọn. Ṣùgbọ́n ìwọ Ọlọ́run tí ó ń dáríjì, olóore-ọ̀fẹ́ àti aláàánú, ó lọ́ra láti bínú, ó sì pọ̀ ní ìfẹ́. Nítorí náà ìwọ kò sì kọ̀ wọ́n sílẹ̀,
They refused to heed you, and they forgot about all the miracles that you had performed for them. Instead, they became stubborn [IDM], and they appointed someone to lead them back to Egypt, where they would be slaves again! But you are a God who forgives us and who is kind and merciful [to us]. You do not quickly become angry. You always faithfully love us.
18 nítòótọ́ nígbà tí wọ́n ṣe ẹgbọrọ màlúù dídá, tí wọ́n sì wí pé, ‘Èyí ni Ọlọ́run rẹ tí ó mú ọ gòkè láti Ejibiti wá; tàbí nígbà tí wọ́n sọ ọ̀rọ̀-òdì tí ó burú jàì’.
So, even though their [leaders] made an idol that resembled a calf and insulted you by saying [about the idol], ‘This is our god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ you did not desert them.
19 “Nítorí àánú ńlá rẹ, ìwọ kò kọ̀ wọ́n sílẹ̀ ní aginjù. Ní ọ̀sán ọ̀wọn ìkùùkuu kò kúrò ní ọ̀dọ̀ wọn láti ṣe amọ̀nà an wọn, tàbí ọ̀wọ́n iná láti tàn sí wọn ní òru ní ọ̀nà tí wọn yóò rìn.
“Because you always act mercifully, you did not abandon them when they were in the desert. The bright cloud which was like a huge pillar continued to lead them during the daytime, and the fiery cloud showed them where to walk at night.
20 Ìwọ fi ẹ̀mí rere rẹ fún wọn láti kọ́ wọn. Ìwọ kò dá manna rẹ dúró ní ẹnu wọn, ó sì fún wọn ní omi fún òǹgbẹ.
You sent your good Spirit to instruct them. You continued to provide water when they were thirsty.
21 Fún ogójì ọdún ni ìwọ fi bọ́ wọn ní aginjù; wọn kò ṣe aláìní ohunkóhun, aṣọ wọn kò gbó bẹ́ẹ̀ ni ẹsẹ̀ wọn kò wú.
For 40 years you took care of them in the desert. During all that time, they had everything [that they needed]. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell up [even though they were continually walking].
22 “Ìwọ fi àwọn ìjọba àti àwọn orílẹ̀-èdè fún wọn, ó sì fi gbogbo ilẹ̀ náà fún wọ́n. Wọ́n sì gba ilẹ̀ ọba Sihoni ará a Heṣboni àti ilẹ̀ Ogu ọba Baṣani.
“You helped our ancestors to defeat armies of great kings who ruled many people-groups. By doing that, you enabled our ancestors to (occupy/live in) even the most distant places in this land. They occupied the land over which King Sihon ruled from Heshbon [city] and the land over which King Og ruled in [the] Bashan [area].
23 Ìwọ ti mú àwọn ọmọ wọn pọ̀ bí ìràwọ̀ ojú ọ̀run, ó sì mú wọn wá sí ilẹ̀ tí o ti sọ fún àwọn baba wọn pé kí wọn wọ̀, kí wọn sì jogún un rẹ̀.
You caused our ancestors’ descendants to become as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into this land, the land that you told their fathers to enter and occupy.
24 Àwọn ọkùnrin wọn wọ inú rẹ̀, wọ́n sì gbà ilẹ̀ náà. Ìwọ sì tẹ orí àwọn ará a Kenaani, tí ń gbé inú ilẹ̀ náà ba níwájú wọn; ó fi àwọn ará a Kenaani lé wọn lọ́wọ́ pẹ̀lú àwọn ọba wọn àti àwọn ènìyàn ilẹ̀ náà kí wọn ṣe wọn bí ó ti wù wọ́n.
Their sons went in and took the land [from the people that lived there]. You enabled them to defeat the descendants of Canaan who lived here in this land. You enabled them to conquer the descendants of Canaan and their kings and the people whom they ruled. You enabled our ancestors to do to those people whatever they wanted to do.
25 Wọ́n gba àwọn ìlú olódi àti ilẹ̀ ọlọ́ràá; wọ́n gba àwọn ilé tí ó kún fún onírúurú gbogbo nǹkan rere, àwọn kànga tí a ti gbẹ́, àwọn ọgbà àjàrà, àwọn ọgbà olifi àti àwọn igi eléso ní ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀. Wọ́n jẹ, wọ́n yó, wọ́n sì sanra dáradára; wọ́n sì yọ̀ nínú oore ńlá rẹ.
Our ancestors captured cities that had walls around them, and they took possession of fertile land. They took possession of houses that were full of good things, where there were wells that were already dug. They took possession of many vineyards and groves of olive trees and fruit trees. They ate all that they wanted to and became fat. They were delighted in all these good things that you gave to them.
26 “Ṣùgbọ́n wọ́n ṣe àìgbọ́ràn, wọ́n sì ṣọ̀tẹ̀ sí ọ; wọ́n gbàgbé òfin rẹ. Wọ́n pa àwọn wòlíì rẹ, tí o fi gbà wọn ni ìyànjú pé kí wọn yí padà sí ọ; wọ́n sì se ọ̀rọ̀-òdì tí ó burú jàì.
“But they disobeyed you and rebelled against you. They (turned their backs on/rejected) your laws. They killed the prophets who warned them that they should return to you. They badly insulted you.
27 Nítorí náà, ìwọ fi wọ́n lé àwọn ọ̀tá wọn lọ́wọ́, àwọn tí ó ni wọ́n lára. Ṣùgbọ́n nígbà tí a ni wọ́n lára wọ́n kígbe sí ọ. Ìwọ gbọ́ wọn láti ọ̀run wá àti nínú ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ àánú rẹ, ìwọ fún wọn ní olùgbàlà, tí ó gbà wọ́n lọ́wọ́ àwọn ọ̀tá wọn.
So you allowed their enemies to defeat them. But when their enemies caused them to suffer, they called out to you. You heard them from heaven, and because you are very merciful, you sent them people to help them, and those leaders rescued them from their enemies.
28 “Ṣùgbọ́n bí wọ́n bá ti wà nínú ìsinmi, wọn a sì túnṣe búburú lójú rẹ. Nígbà náà ni ìwọ kọ̀ wọ́n sílẹ̀ ṣọ́wọ́ àwọn ọ̀tá kí wọ́n lè jẹ ọba lórí wọn. Nígbà tí wọ́n bá sì tún kígbe sí ọ, ìwọ a gbọ́ láti ọ̀run wá, àti nínú àánú rẹ ni ìwọ gbà láti ìgbà dé ìgbà.
“But after there was a time of peace again, our ancestors again did things that displeased you. So again you allowed their enemies to conquer them. But whenever they cried out to you again [to help them], you heard them from heaven, and because you act mercifully, you rescued them many times.
29 “Ìwọ kìlọ̀ fún wọn láti padà sínú òfin rẹ, ṣùgbọ́n wọ́n hu ìwà ìgbéraga, wọ́n sì ṣe àìgbọ́ràn si àṣẹ rẹ. Wọ́n ṣẹ̀ sí ìlànà rẹ, nípa èyí tí ènìyàn yóò yè tí wọ́n bá pa wọ́n mọ́. Nínú agídí ọkàn wọ́n kọ ẹ̀yìn sí ọ, wọ́n jẹ́ olórí kunkun wọn kò sì fẹ́ gbọ́.
“You warned them that they should again [obey] your laws, but they became proud and stubborn, and they disobeyed your commands. They sinned by disobeying what you commanded them to do, the things that would enable them to live a good long life [if they obeyed them]. They stubbornly refused [IDM] to listen to you and continued sinning.
30 Fún ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún ni ìwọ fi ní sùúrù pẹ̀lú wọn. Nípa ẹ̀mí rẹ ni ìwọ kìlọ̀ fún wọn nípasẹ̀ àwọn wòlíì. Síbẹ̀ wọn kò fi etí sílẹ̀, nítorí náà ni ìwọ ṣe fi wọ́n lé àwọn aládùúgbò wọn lọ́wọ́.
You were patient with them for many years. You warned them trough [the messages] your Spirit gave to the prophets. But they did not (heed/pay attention to) those messages. So again you allowed [the armies of] other nations to defeat them.
31 Ṣùgbọ́n nínú ọ̀pọ̀ àánú rẹ, ìwọ kò mú òpin bá wọn tàbí kọ̀ wọ́n sílẹ̀, nítorí ìwọ ni Ọlọ́run olóore-ọ̀fẹ́ àti aláàánú.
But because you act very mercifully, you did not get rid of them completely or abandon them [forever]. You are a very gracious/kind and merciful God!
32 “Ǹjẹ́ nítorí náà, Ọlọ́run wa, Ọlọ́run tí ó tóbi, tí ó lágbára, tí ó sì ní ẹ̀rù, ẹni tí ó pa májẹ̀mú ìfẹ́ mọ́, má ṣe jẹ́ gbogbo ìnira yìí dàbí ohun kékeré ní ojú rẹ—ìnira tí ó ti wá sórí wa, sórí àwọn ọba wa àti àwọn olórí wa, sórí àwọn àlùfáà wa àti àwọn wòlíì, sórí àwọn baba wa àti sórí gbogbo ènìyàn rẹ̀, láti àwọn ọjọ́ àwọn ọba Asiria wá títí di òní.
“Our God, you are great! You are mighty! You are awesome! You faithfully love us as [you promised in] your agreement with us that you would do! But now we are experiencing great difficulties/hardships. Great troubles have come to us, to our kings, to our [other] leaders, to our priests, and to our prophets. We have been experiencing these troubles since [the armies of] the kings of Assyria [conquered us], and we are still experiencing them. We ask that you sincerely think about [LIT] all these things.
33 Ìwọ jẹ́ olódodo nínú ohun gbogbo tí ó ti ṣẹlẹ̀ sí wa; ìwọ sì ti ṣe òtítọ́, nígbà tí a bá ṣe búburú.
[We know that] you acted justly each time that you punished us. We have sinned greatly, but you have treated us fairly.
34 Àwọn ọba wa, àwọn olórí wa, àwọn àlùfáà wa, àti àwọn baba wa kò tẹ̀lé òfin rẹ; wọn kò fetísílẹ̀ sí àṣẹ rẹ tàbí àwọn ìkìlọ̀ tí ìwọ fún wọn.
Our kings and other leaders and our priests and our other ancestors did not obey your laws. They did not heed your commands or the warnings that you gave to them.
35 Àní nígbà tí wọ́n wà nínú ìjọba wọn, tí wọ́n ń gbádùn oore ńlá tí ìwọ fi fún wọn, ní ilẹ̀ tí ó tóbi tí ó sì lọ́ràá, wọn kò sìn ọ́ tàbí padà kúrò nínú àwọn ọ̀nà búburú wọn.
Even when they had their own kings, and they enjoyed the good things that you did for them in this large and fertile land that you gave to them, they did not serve you. They refused to quit doing what was evil.
36 “Ṣùgbọ́n wò ó, àwa jẹ́ ẹrú lónìí, àwa jẹ́ ẹrú ní ilẹ̀ tí ìwọ fún àwọn baba ńlá wa, nítorí kí wọn bá máa jẹ èso rẹ̀ àti ìre mìíràn tí ó mú jáde.
“So now we are [like] slaves here in this land that you gave to our ancestors, the land that you gave to them in order that they could enjoy all the good things that grow here.
37 Nítorí àwọn ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wa, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ìkórè rẹ lọ sí ọ̀dọ̀ àwọn ọba tí ó fi ṣe olórí wa. Wọ́n ń ṣe àkóso lórí wa àti lórí ẹran wa bí ó ti wù wọ́n, àwa sì wà nínú ìpọ́njú ńlá.
Because we have sinned, [we cannot eat the things that grow here]. The kings that now rule over us are enjoying the things that grow here. They rule us and [take] our cattle. We have to serve them and do the things that please them. We are experiencing great misery/distress.
38 “Nítorí gbogbo èyí, a ń ṣe àdéhùn tí ó fẹsẹ̀múlẹ̀, a sì kọ ọ́ sínú ìwé, àwọn olórí ọmọ Lefi àwọn àlùfáà sì fi èdìdì dì í.”
“However, we [Israeli] people now are making an agreement/promise [to obey you], and we are writing this agreement/promise [on a scroll]. We will write on it the names of our leaders and the names of the Levites and the names of the priests, and then we will seal it.”
