1 Ibali likaNehemiya unyana kaHakaliya.Kwathi ngenyanga enguKislevu, ngomnyaka wamashumi amabini, ndakubona ukuba ndiseShushan komkhulu,
2 kwafika uHanani, omnye wakubazalwana bam, enamadoda avela kwaYuda. Ndababuza iindaba zamaYuda, amasalela asindileyo ekuthinjweni, nezeYerusalem.
3 Bathi kum, Amaqongqolo asele ekuthinjweni, kwaYuda, asebubini obukhulu, nasekungcikivweni; nodonga lweYerusalem luqhekekile, namasango ayo atshe ngumlilo.
4 Kwathi ndakuweva la mazwi, ndahlala phantsi, ndalila, ndenza isijwili iintsuku, ndazila ukudla, ndathandaza phambi koThixo wamazulu,
5 ndathi, Camagu, Yehova, Thixo wamazulu, Thixo omkhulu, owoyikekayo, obagcinelayo umnqophiso nenceba abamthandayo, abayigcinayo imithetho yakhe.