1
Habari za Nehemia, mwana wa Hakalia. Ikawa katika mwezi wa Kisleu, mwaka wa ishirini, nilipokuwapo Shushani ngomeni,
These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
2
Hanani, mmoja wa ndugu zangu, akanijia, yeye na watu wengine waliotoka Yuda; nami nikawauliza habari za Wayahudi waliopona, hao watu wa uhamisho waliosalia; na habari za Yerusalemu.
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3
Wakaniambia, Watu wa uhamisho, waliosalia huko katika wilaya ile, wamo katika hali ya dhiki nyingi na mashutumu; tena ukuta wa Yerusalemu umebomolewa, na malango yake yameteketezwa kwa moto.
And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4
Hata ikawa niliposikia maneno hayo, nikaketi, nikalia, nikaomboleza siku kadha wa kadha; kisha nikafunga, nikaomba mbele za Mungu wa mbinguni;
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5
nikasema, Nakusihi, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa mbinguni, Mungu mkuu, mwenye kuogofya, mwenye kutimiza agano lake na rehema zake kwa hao wampendao na kuzishika amri zake;
Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,
6
tega sikio lako, macho yako yakafumbuke, upate kuyasikiliza maombi ya mtumishi wako, ninayoomba mbele zako wakati huu, mchana na usiku, kwa ajili ya wana wa Israeli, watumishi wako; hapo ninapoziungama dhambi za wana wa Israeli, tulizozifanya juu yako; naam, mimi na nyumba ya baba yangu tumefanya dhambi.
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.
7
Tumetenda maovu mengi juu yako, wala hatukuzishika amri, wala sheria, wala hukumu, ulizomwamuru Musa, mtumishi wako.
We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.
8
Nakuomba, likumbuke neno lile ulilomwamuru Musa, mtumishi wako, ukisema, Mkikosa, nitawatawanya kati ya mataifa;
Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
9
bali mkinirudia mimi, na kuzishika amri zangu na kuzitenda, watu wako waliofukuzwa wajapokuwa katika pande za mwisho za mbingu, hata hivyo nitawakusanya kutoka huko, na kuwaleta mpaka mahali pale nilipopachagua ili kuliweka jina langu hapo.
but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’
10
Basi watu hao ni watumishi wako na watu wako, uliowakomboa kwa uweza wako mwingi, na kwa mkono wako hodari.
They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand.
11
Ee Bwana, nakusihi, litege sikio lako, uyasikilize maombi ya mtumishi wako, na maombi ya watumishi wako, wanaofurahi kulicha jina lako; nakuomba sana; unifanikishe mimi, mtumishi wako, leo, ukanijalie rehema mbele ya mtu huyu. (Maana, nalikuwa mnyweshaji wa mfalme).
O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)