NEHEMIAH

1 This na the things wey Ne·he·mi′ah* the son of Hac·a·li′ah talk: For the month of Chis′lev, for the 20th year, I be dey Shu′shan* the big strong house.* 2 That time, one of my brothers wey im name na Ha·na′ni, come from Judah with other men, and I ask them about the remaining Jew people wey come back from where them be slaves before, and I still ask them about Jerusalem. 3 Them answer say: “The people wey come back from where them be slaves before wey de stay for the area, dey for condition wey really bad and shame de catch them. The walls of Jerusalem scatter for ground and them don burn the gates with fire.”

4 As I just hear this things wey them talk, I sitdown and start to cry and mourn for some days, and I continue to fast and de pray for front of the God of heavens. 5 I talk say: “O Jehovah, the God of the heavens, the God wey dey great and wey people suppose de fear, the God wey de keep im agreement and show love wey no de fail to people wey love-am and wey de obey im commandments, 6 abeg, put ear for ground and make your eyes open to listen to the prayer of your servant wey I de pray to you today, na day and night I de pray about Israel people wey be your servants, and all that time I de confess the sins wey the people of Israel sin against you. We don sin, me and the family* of my papa. 7 True-true, we don do bad thing against you as we no follow the commandments, directions, and the things wey you don decide, wey you tell Moses your servant.

8 “Abeg, remember wetin you command* Moses your servant say: ‘If una no obey me, I go scatter una among the people. 9 But if una come back to me and obey my commandments, even if una scatter go far-far place for the heavens, I go gather una come back from there and bring una come the place wey I don choose to put my name.’ 10 Them be your servants and your people wey you save with your great power and your strong hand. 11 O Jehovah, abeg, make you put your ear for ground to listen to my prayer and the prayer of your servants wey de happy to fear your name, and abeg, help your servant succeed today, and make this man pity me.”

That time, I be person wey de give the king drink.

2 For the month of Ni′san, for the 20th year of King Ar·ta·xerx′es, them put wine for im front, and as e de normally be, I carry the wine give the king. But I never dey sad for im front before. 2 So the king tell me say: “Why your face dey sad like this when you no de sick? E go surely be say something de worry you for heart.” As e talk this one, I fear no be small.

3 Then I tell the king say: “Make the king live long! Why I no go dey sad when the city, the place wey them bury my papa-papa them don scatter finish, and fire don burn the gates?” 4 Then the king ask me say: “Wetin you want?” Quick-quick, I pray to God for heaven. 5 Then I tell the king say: “If the king agree and you de happy with your servant, abeg send me go Judah, to the city wey them bury my papa-papa them so that I go build-am again.” 6 That time, the queen sitdown near the king. Then the king ask me say: “How the journey go tey reach and which time you go come back?” So the king agree to send me go and I give-am time.

7 Then I tell the king say: “If the king agree, make them give me letters wey I go give the governors of the area wey dey the Other Side of the River,* so that them go allow me pass without any problem until I reach Judah, 8 together with letter wey I go give A′saph wey de care for the King Forest, so that e go give me timber wey them go use as woods for the gates of the Big House of Soldiers wey near the temple,* and for the walls of the city, and for the house wey I go stay.” So the king carry them give me because the good hand of my God dey with me.

9 At last, I come meet the governors of the area wey dey the Other Side of the River and give them the king letters. The king still send horsemen and the people wey de control army make them follow me. 10 When San·bal′lat wey be Hor′o·nite person, and To·bi′ah wey be Am′mon person and still be officer,* hear about-am, them really vex say somebody want come do better thing for the people of Israel.

11 After some time, I come Jerusalem and stay there for three days. 12 I stand up for night, me and the small number of men wey dey with me, and I no tell anybody wetin my God don put for my heart to do for Jerusalem and no animal be dey with me apart from the one wey I de ride. 13 And I pass the Valley Gate comot for night, I pass front of the Fountain of the Big Snake go the Gate of the Ash Heaps, and I check the walls of Jerusalem wey don scatter and the gates wey fire don burn. 14 Then I pass go the Fountain Gate and from there go the King Pool, and enough space no dey for the animal wey I de ride to pass. 15 But I continue to waka for the valley for night de go up, and I continue to check the wall. After that one, I come back and pass the valley gate enter, then I go back house.

16 The assistant rulers no know where I be go and wetin I de do because I never tell the Jew people, the priests, the important men, the assistant rulers, and the rest of the workers anything. 17 At last I tell them say: “Una de see say the condition wey we dey really bad, Jerusalem don scatter for ground and them don use fire burn im gates. Make una come, make we build the walls of Jerusalem again so that this disgrace no go continue.” 18 Then I tell them about how the good hand of my God be dey with me, and I still tell them wetin the king tell me. So them talk say: “Make we stand up and build the walls.” So them encourage theirself* to do the good work.

19 Now when San·bal′lat wey be Hor′o·nite person, To·bi′ah wey be Am′mon person and wey be officer,* and Ge′shem wey be Arabia person hear about-am, them start to laugh us and show say them no see us as anything. Them talk say: “Wetin una de do? Una de stand against the king?” 20 But I answer them say: “Na the God of the heavens be the Person wey go make us succeed, and we im servants go stand up and build the wall; but una no get anything wey suppose be una own or any right, or anything to remember about una for Jerusalem.”

3 E·li′a·shib the high priest and im brothers wey be priests stand up and build the Sheep Gate. Them make-am holy and put im doors; the area wey them make holy reach the Tower of Me′ah, and still go reach the Tower of Ha·nan′el. 2 And the people wey de build the wall near them na the men of Jer′i·cho; and the person wey de build the next part of the wall na Zac′cur wey be the son of Im′ri.

3 The sons of Has·se·na′ah build the Fish Gate; them put timbers, then them put doors, bolts, and bars for the gate. 4 And the person wey repair the wall near them na Mer′e·moth wey be the son of U·ri′jah the son of Hak′koz, and the person wey repair the next part of the wall na Me·shul′lam the son of Ber·e·chi′ah the son of Me·shez′a·bel. The person wey repair the next part of the wall na Za′dok wey be the son of Ba′a·na. 5 The people wey repair the next part of the wall na Te·ko′a people, but their important men no gree bring theirself down to put hand* for the work of their oga them.

6 Joi′a·da the son of Pa·se′ah and Me·shul′lam the son of Bes·o·dei′ah repair the Gate of the Old City; them put timber, then them put doors, bolts, and bars for the gate. 7 The people wey repair the wall near them na Mel·a·ti′ah wey be Gib′e·on person and Ja′don wey be Me·ro′noth person, men of Gib′e·on and Miz′pah wey dey under the control of* the governor of the area wey dey the Other Side of the River.* 8 The person wey repair the next part of the wall na Uz′zi·el the son of Har·hai′ah, wey be one of the people wey de use gold make things, and the person wey repair the next part of the wall na Han·a·ni′ah, wey be one of the people wey de make cream,* and them use stones do the ground from Jerusalem go reach the Wide Wall. 9 The person wey repair the next part of the wall na Re·pha′iah the son of Hur, wey be leader of the half of Jerusalem area. 10 The person wey repair the next part of the wall for front of im own house na Je·da′iah wey be the son of Ha·ru′maph, and the person wey repair the next part of the wall na Hat′tush wey be the son of Hash·ab·nei′ah.

11 Mal·chi′jah wey be the son of Ha′rim and Has′shub wey be the son of Pa′hath-mo′ab repair another part,* together with the Tower of the Ovens. 12 The people wey repair the next part of the wall na Shal′lum wey be the son of Hal·lo′hesh, together with im daughters. Shal′lum na leader of half of Jerusalem area.

13 Ha′nun and the people wey de stay for Za·no′ah repair the Valley Gate; them build-am and put doors, bolts, and bars for the gate, and them repair the place wey reach 1,000 cubits* for the wall, go reach the Gate of the Ash Heaps. 14 Mal·chi′jah wey be the son of Re′chab, wey be leader of Beth-hac·che′rem area, repair the Gate of the Ash Heaps; e build-am and put doors, bolts, and bars for the gate.

15 Shal′lun wey be the son of Col·ho′zeh, wey be leader of Miz′pah area, repair the Fountain Gate; e build-am, and do the roof of the gate, put the doors, the bolts, and the bars. E still repair the wall of the Pool of the Canal wey near the King Garden, and go reach the Step wey go down from the City of David.

16 After-am, Ne·he·mi′ah wey be the son of Az′buk, wey be leader of half of Beth-zur area, repair the next part of the wall, from front of David Burial Places go reach the pool wey them build, and still from there go reach the House of the Strong People.

17 After-am, na the Levites repair the next part of the wall: Re′hum wey be the son of Ba′ni; and the person wey repair the next part for im area na Hash·a·bi′ah, wey be leader of half of Kei′lah area. 18 After-am, their brothers repair the next part: Bav′vai wey be the son of Hen′a·dad, wey be leader of half of Kei′lah area.

19 And E′zer the son of Jesh′u·a, wey be leader of Miz′pah, dey near-am de repair another part for front of the place wey them de climb go Where Them De Keep Weapons,* for the place wey the Pillar Wey De Support the Wall* dey.

20 After-am, Bar′uch wey be the son of Zab′bai use all im heart work and repair another part, from the Pillar Wey De Support the Wall* go reach the domot of the house of E·li′a·shib wey be high priest.

21 After-am, Mer′e·moth wey be the son of U·ri′jah the son of Hak′koz repair another part, from the domot of the house of E·li′a·shib go reach the end of E·li′a·shib house.

22 After-am, the people wey repair the next part na the priests wey come from Jordan area. 23 After them, the people wey repair the next part for front of their own house na Benjamin and Has′shub. And after them, the person wey repair the next part wey near im own house na Az·a·ri′ah the son of Ma·a·sei′ah the son of A·na·ni′ah. 24 After-am, Bin′nu·i wey be the son of Hen′a·dad repair another part. The place wey e repair na from the house of Az·a·ri′ah go reach the Pillar Wey De Support the Wall* and go reach the corner of the city wall.

25 After-am, Pa′lal wey be the son of U′zai repair the wall for front of the Pillar Wey De Support the Wall* and the tower wey come out of the King House,* the one for up wey dey the Compound of the Watchmen. The person wey dey near-am na Pe·dai′ah wey be the son of Pa′rosh.

26 And the temple servants* wey de stay for O′phel repair the wall go reach front of the Water Gate wey dey the east side and the tower wey come out from the wall.

27 After them, the people wey repair another part na Te·ko′a people. Them repair from front of the big tower wey come out of the wall go reach the wall of O′phel.

28 The priests repair the wall ontop the Horse Gate, each of them dey front of im own house.

29 The person wey dey near them de repair the wall for front of im own house na Za′dok wey be the son of Im′mer.

And the person wey dey near-am de repair the wall na She·mai′ah wey be the son of Shec·a·ni′ah, wey de watch the East Gate.

30 The people wey dey near-am de repair another part na Han·a·ni′ah wey be the son of Shel·e·mi′ah and Ha′nun wey be the sixth son of Za′laph.

The person wey dey near-am de repair the wall for front of im own hall na Me·shul′lam wey be the son of Ber·e·chi′ah.

31 The person wey dey near-am de repair the wall na Mal·chi′jah, wey be member of the group of people wey de use gold make things. E repair the wall go reach the house of the temple servants* and the market people, wey dey front of the Inspection Gate and go reach the room wey dey ontop the roof for the corner of the city wall.

32 And the people wey repair the wall between the room wey dey ontop the roof for the corner of the city wall and the Sheep Gate, na the people wey de use gold make things and the market people.

4 Now as San·bal′lat just hear say we de build the wall again, e vex and e no happy at all, and e continue to laugh the Jew people. 2 And for front of im brothers and the army of Sa·mar′i·a, e talk say: “Wetin this weak Jew people de do? Only them go fit do this work? Them go do sacrifice them? Them go do the work finish for one day? Them go fit do anything with this heap of stones wey don burn and scatter full everywhere, wey dust don cover?”

3 Now, To·bi′ah wey be Am′mon person wey stand near-am talk say: “Even if ordinary fox* climb ontop this their stone wall wey them de build, e go just scatter.”

4 O our God, abeg make you hear, because them de treat us like say we be nothing, and make the insult wey them de insult us go back ontop their own head, and make you put them for the hand of their enemies make them carry them go as slaves. 5 And make you no cover the bad thing wey them do or wipe their sin comot from your front, because them don insult the people wey de build the wall.

6 So we continue to build the wall, and join the whole wall together and build-am back reach half of how e go high reach, and the people continue to use all their heart do the work.

7 Now as San·bal′lat, To·bi′ah, Arabia people, Am′mon people, and Ash′dod people just hear say the work to repair the walls of Jerusalem de go well, and say them de cover the place them wey open, them vex no be small. 8 Them plan together to come fight Jerusalem and to cause problem for there. 9 But we pray to our God, and put person wey go de watch day and night because of them.

10 But Judah people de talk say: “The people wey de do the work no get power again, and stones wey don scatter full everywhere; we no go fit ever build the wall.”

11 And our enemies just de talk say: “Before them know wetin de happen or see us, we go enter among them, kill them, and stop the work.”

12 Anytime wey the Jew people wey de stay near them come inside, them tell us again and again* say: “This people go come attack us from all directions.”

13 So I keep men to watch the parts wey low pass wey space dey for the wall for the place them wey open, I put them according to their families, and them hold their swords, lance* them, and their bows. 14 When I see how them de fear, I stand up quick-quick and tell the important men and the assistant rulers and the rest of the people say: “Make una no fear them. Make una remember Jehovah wey dey great and wonderful, and make una fight for una brothers, una sons and daughters, una wives and una house them.”

15 When our enemies hear say we don know wetin them de do, and say the true God don spoil their plan, all of us go back to continue to work for the wall. 16 From that day go, half of my men de do the work, and half of them de hold the lance them, the shields, the bows, and coats wey them de wear to protect chest. And the leaders stand for the back of the whole house of Judah 17 wey de build the wall. The people wey de carry the loads de do the work with one hand and them use the other hand hold their weapon. 18 And each of the people wey de build the wall, tie sword for im waist as e de build, and the person wey go blow the horn stand near me.

19 Then I tell the important men and the assistant rulers and the rest of the people say: “The work plenty and the area wey we de work big, and we scatter for different-different place far from each other for the wall. 20 When una hear the sound of the horn, make una gather together come where we dey. Our God go fight for us.”

21 So we continue to work, and the other half of the people hold their lance them, from when day break go reach night when stars don come out. 22 That time I tell the people say: “Make each of the men with im servant sleep inside Jerusalem, and them go guard us for night and work for daytime.” 23 So me or my brothers, my servants, and the guards wey follow me no ever pull our cloths comot, and each of us use im right hand hold im weapon.

5 But the people and their wives, start to really cry, de complain against their brothers wey be Jew people. 2 Some of them de talk say: “We and our sons and our daughters plenty. So we need to get food* so that we go fit chop and dey alive.” 3 Other people de talk say: “We de give out our farms, our vine farms, and our house them as proof say we go pay wetin we borrow, so that we go get food when food no too dey.” 4 Other people still de talk say: “We don use our farms and our vine farms borrow money to fit pay tax money to the king. 5 We be the same flesh and blood like our brothers, and our children just be like their children, but we de turn our sons and daughters to slaves and some of our daughters don already be slaves, but we no get power to stop this thing, because na other people get our farms and our vine farms.”

6 I vex no be small when I hear their complain and this things wey them talk. 7 So I think this things for my heart, and I quarrel with the important men and assistant rulers and tell them say: “Each of una de collect interest from una own brother.”

Apart from that one, I arrange for big meeting because of them. 8 And I tell them say: “We don do everything wey we fit do and buy back our brothers wey be Jew people, wey them sell give the nations; but una want sell una own brothers so that them go sell them back to us?” When I talk this one, them just close their mouth, them no fit talk anything. 9 Then I tell them say: “Wetin una de do no good. Una no suppose fear our God for everything wey una de do, so that the nations wey be our enemies no go get anything to talk against us? 10 Another thing be say, me, my brothers, and my servants de borrow them money and food. Abeg make we stop to collect interest for wetin we borrow person. 11 Abeg, today, make una give them back their farms, their vine farms, their olive farms, and their house them together with the hundredth part* of the money, grain, new wine, and oil wey una de talk say make them give una as interest.”

12 So them talk say: “We go give this things back to them and we no go collect anything back. We go do exactly as you talk.” So I call the priests, and make those men swear say them go do this thing wey them don promise. 13 I still shake my cloth* and talk say: “Make the true God shake every man comot from im house and im property like this, if e no follow this thing wey e don promise. And make God shake-am comot like this, and make e no get anything again.” Then all the people wey gather answer say: “Amen!”* And them start to praise Jehovah, and the people do wetin them promise.

14 Apart from that one, from the day wey the king make me governor for the land of Judah, from the 20th year go reach the 32nd year of King Ar·ta·xerx′es, wey be 12 years, me and my brothers no chop the food wey them suppose give governor. 15 But the governors wey don dey before me, be don carry heavy load give the people and de collect 40 silver shekels* for bread and wine everyday. Their servants de oppress the people too. But I no do that kind thing, because say I de fear God.

16 Another thing be say, I join work for this wall too, and we no buy any land. All my servants gather for there de do the work. 17 Na 150 Jew people and assistant rulers de follow me chop, together with people wey come from the nations to come meet us. 18 Everyday, I de talk say* make them prepare one bull, six fine-fine sheep, and birds for me, and once every ten days, we de get plenty-plenty different kinds of wine. Even with this one, I no talk say make them give me food wey them suppose give governor, because the work wey the people de do don already plenty. 19 Abeg remember me, make you bless me,* O my God, because of everything wey I don do for this people.

6 Now, as them just tell San·bal′lat, To·bi′ah, Ge′shem wey be Arabia person, and the rest of our enemies say I don build the wall again, and say no place for the wall open again (even though say that time I be never put the doors for the gates). 2 Quick-quick, San·bal′lat and Ge′shem send me this message: “Come, make we put time to meet each other for the village them wey dey the Level Land* of O′no.” But their plan na to do me bad. 3 So I send people go tell them say: “I de do big work, I no go fit come down. Why I go leave the work come meet una, make the work stop?” 4 Na four times them send me the same message, and each time na the same thing I tell them.

5 Then San·bal′lat send im servant to me to come tell me the same message for the fifth time, and letter wey them no seal dey im hand. 6 Them write for the letter say: “Them de talk this thing among the people of the nations, and Ge′shem de talk-am too say, you and the Jew people de plan to turn against the king. Na im make una de build the wall, and them talk-am for this reports say you want be their king. 7 You don still choose prophets to announce about you for the whole Jerusalem say, ‘King don dey for Judah!’ And them go tell the king this things. So come, make we discuss this matter together.”

8 But I send this message back to-am say, “Any of the things wey you de talk never happen, you just de talk wetin you de think for your own mind.”* 9 Because all of them de try put fear for our body, de talk say: “Their hands go weak for the work and them no go fit do-am.” Now, I de pray say, make you make my hand strong.

10 Then I go the house of She·mai′ah wey be the son of De·la′iah the son of Me·het′a·bel, and that time e no de comot from house. E talk say: “Make we put time to meet for the house of the true God for inside the temple, and make we close the doors of the temple because them de come kill you. Them de come kill you for night.” 11 But I talk say: “Person like me suppose run? Person like me fit enter the temple and still dey alive? I no go go inside!” 12 Then I see say no be God send-am, but say na To·bi′ah and San·bal′lat pay-am to talk this things against me. 13 Them pay-am to put fear for my body and to make me sin. So that them go get wetin them go take spoil my name and talk bad things about me.

14 O my God, abeg remember To·bi′ah and San·bal′lat and this things wey them do, and make you still remember No·a·di′ah wey be woman prophet and the other prophets wey de try put fear for my body.

15 So we complete the wall for the 25th day of E′lul, and na 52 days we use.

16 As all our enemies just hear-am and all the nations wey surround us see-am, shame catch them no be small,* and them see say na our God help us do this work. 17 That time, the important men of Judah de send plenty letters go give To·bi′ah, and To·bi′ah de send letters back to them. 18 Many people for Judah swear say them go support-am because im na in-law of Shec·a·ni′ah wey be the son of A′rah, and im son Je·ho·ha′nan be don marry the daughter of Me·shul′lam wey be the son of Ber·e·chi′ah. 19 Another thing be say, them de tell me good things about-am everytime, and them go tell-am wetin I talk. Then To·bi′ah go send letters to put fear for my body.

7 As we just build the walls finish, I put the doors, then I choose the gatemen, the people wey de sing and the Levites to do their different-different work. 2 Then I put my brother Ha·na′ni to dey in charge of Jerusalem, with Han·a·ni′ah wey be the person wey de control the Big House of Soldiers, because na man wey them trust pass, and e de fear the true God pass plenty other people. 3 So I tell them say: “Make them no open the gates of Jerusalem until sun don come out well-well, and as them stand de watch, make them close the doors and hook the bolts, and make them choose the people wey de stay for Jerusalem to be guards. Make each person dey the place wey them give-am to watch, and make each person dey front of im own house.” 4 That time, space full everywhere for the city and e big, and the people wey de stay inside no plenty, and them never build the house them again.

5 But my God put-am for my heart say make I gather the important men and the assistant rulers and the people together make them write their names family by family for the register. Then I see the family register wey them write the names of the people wey first come, and na wetin them write inside be this:

6 And this na the people of the area wey come from among the people wey be dey as slaves, the people wey Neb·u·chad·nez′zar wey be king of Babylon be carry go as slaves, and wey later come back to Jerusalem and Judah, and each person go im own city, 7 and them follow Ze·rub′ba·bel, Jesh′u·a, Ne·he·mi′ah, Az·a·ri′ah, Ra·a·mi′ah, Na·ham′a·ni, Mor′de·cai, Bil′shan, Mis′pe·reth, Big′vai, Ne′hum, and Ba′a·nah.

The number of the men of Israel na: 8 the sons of Pa′rosh na, 2,172; 9 the sons of Sheph·a·ti′ah na, 372; 10 the sons of A′rah na, 652; 11 the sons of Pa′hath-mo′ab, the ones wey be the sons of Jesh′u·a and Jo′ab na, 2,818; 12 the sons of E′lam na, 1,254; 13 the sons of Zat′tu na, 845; 14 the sons of Zac′cai na, 760; 15 the sons of Bin′nu·i na, 648; 16 the sons of Be′bai na, 628; 17 the sons of Az′gad na, 2,322; 18 the sons of Ad·o·ni′kam na, 667; 19 the sons of Big′vai na, 2,067; 20 the sons of A′din na, 655; 21 the sons of A′ter, wey come from the family of Hez·e·ki′ah na, 98; 22 the sons of Ha′shum na, 328; 23 the sons of Be′zai na, 324; 24 the sons of Ha′riph na, 112; 25 the sons of Gib′e·on na, 95; 26 the men of Beth′le·hem and Ne·to′phah na, 188; 27 the men of An′a·thoth na, 128; 28 the men of Beth-az′ma·veth na, 42; 29 the men of Kir′i·ath-je′a·rim, Che·phi′rah, and Be·er′oth na, 743; 30 the men of Ra′mah and Ge′ba na, 621; 31 the men of Mich′mas na, 122; 32 the men of Beth′el and A′i na, 123; 33 the men of the other Ne′bo na, 52; 34 the sons of the other E′lam na, 1,254; 35 the sons of Ha′rim na, 320; 36 the sons of Jer′i·cho na, 345; 37 the sons of Lod, Ha′did, and O′no na, 721; 38 the sons of Se·na′ah na, 3,930.

39 Na this people be the priests: the sons of Je·da′iah from the family of Jesh′u·a na, 973; 40 the sons of Im′mer na, 1,052; 41 the sons of Pash′hur na, 1,247; 42 the sons of Ha′rim na, 1,017.

43 Na this people be the Levites: the sons of Jesh′u·a, wey come from the family of Kad′mi·el, from among the sons of Ho′de·vah na, 74. 44 The people wey de sing na: the sons of A′saph wey be, 148. 45 The gatemen na: the sons of Shal′lum, the sons of A′ter, the sons of Tal′mon, the sons of Ak′kub, the sons of Ha·ti′ta, the sons of Sho′bai, them be 138.

46 The temple servants* na: the sons of Zi′ha, the sons of Ha·su′pha, the sons of Tab·ba′oth, 47 the sons of Ke′ros, the sons of Si′a, the sons of Pa′don, 48 the sons of Le·ba′nah, the sons of Hag′a·bah, the sons of Sal′mai, 49 the sons of Ha′nan, the sons of Gid′del, the sons of Ga′har, 50 the sons of Re·a′iah, the sons of Re′zin, the sons of Ne·ko′da, 51 the sons of Gaz′zam, the sons of Uz′za, the sons of Pa·se′ah, 52 the sons of Be′sai, the sons of Me·u′nim, the sons of Ne·phush′e·sim, 53 the sons of Bak′buk, the sons of Ha·ku′pha, the sons of Har′hur, 54 the sons of Baz′lith, the sons of Me·hi′da, the sons of Har′sha, 55 the sons of Bar′kos, the sons of Sis′e·ra, the sons of Te′mah, 56 the sons of Ne·zi′ah, the sons of Ha·ti′pha.

57 The sons of the servants of Sol′o·mon na: the sons of So′tai, the sons of So·phe′reth, the sons of Pe·ri′da, 58 the sons of Ja′a·la, the sons of Dar′kon, the sons of Gid′del, 59 the sons of Sheph·a·ti′ah, the sons of Hat′til, the sons of Po′che·reth-haz·ze·ba′im, the sons of A′mon. 60 All the temple servants* and the sons of the servants of Sol′o·mon na 392.

61 And this people go up from Tel-me′lah, Tel-har′sha, Che′rub, Ad′don, and Im′mer, but them no fit confirm the family group of their papa side and the place wey them come from to know whether them be Israel people. The people na: 62 the sons of De·la′iah, the sons of To·bi′ah, the sons of Ne·ko′da, them be 642. 63 And the sons of the priests na: the sons of Ha·bai′ah, the sons of Hak′koz, the sons of Bar·zil′lai, wey marry wife from among the daughters of Bar·zil′lai wey be Gil′e·ad person and come de bear the wife family name. 64 This people look for their records to know their family line, but them no fit see them, because of this one, them no gree make them serve as priests.* 65 The governor* tell them say make them no chop from the things wey holy pass, until them see priest wey go fit check the U′rim and Thum′mim* for direction.

66 The number of all the people na 42,360, 67 apart from their men and women slaves, wey be 7,337; them still get 245 men and women wey de sing. 68 Their horse them na 736, their mules* na 245, 69 their camels na 435, and their donkeys na 6,720.

70 Some of the leaders of the family groups from their papa side, make contributions for the work. The governor* contribute 1,000 gold drachmas* for the place wey them de keep better-better things, with 50 bowls, and 530 long cloths wey priests de wear. 71 And some of the leaders of the family groups for their papa side contribute 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver mi′nas* for the place wey them de keep the better-better things wey them de use do the work. 72 And the rest of the people contribute 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver mi′nas, and 67 long cloths wey priests de wear.

73 And the priests, the Levites, the gatemen, the people wey de sing, some of the ordinary people, the temple servants,* and all the other people for Israel,* start to live for their cities. When the seventh month reach, Israel people don already de stay for their cities.

8 Then all the people gather together with one mind for the public place wey dey front of the Water Gate, and them tell Ez′ra wey de copy books* say make e bring the book of the Law of Moses, wey Jehovah command Israel people. 2 So, for the first day of the seventh month, Ez′ra wey be priest bring the Law for front of the men and women wey gather, and all the people wey fit listen and understand. 3 And e read-am come out loud for front of the public place wey dey front of the Water Gate, from when day break go reach afternoon. E read-am give the men, the women, and all the people wey fit understand; and the people de use all their mind listen to the book of the Law. 4 Ez′ra wey de copy book stand ontop platform wey them use wood make because of the meeting; and the people wey stand with-am for im right side na Mat·ti·thi′ah, She′ma, A·nai′ah, U·ri′ah, Hil·ki′ah, and Ma·a·sei′ah; and the people wey stand for im left side na Pe·dai′ah, Mish′a·el, Mal·chi′jah, Ha′shum, Hash-bad′da·nah, Zech·a·ri′ah, and Me·shul′lam.

5 Ez′ra open the book and all the people de see-am, because where e dey high pass where all the people dey. As e open-am, all the people come stand up. 6 Then Ez′ra praise Jehovah the true God, the Person wey dey great, and all the people answer say: “Amen!* Amen!” and them raise their hands up, then them bow down and lie down for Jehovah front and them face ground. 7 And Jesh′u·a, Ba′ni, She·re·bi′ah, Ja′min, Ak′kub, Shab′be·thai, Ho·di′ah, Ma·a·sei′ah, Ke·li′ta, Az·a·ri′ah, Jo′za·bad, Ha′nan, and Pe·la′iah, wey be Levites, de explain the Law give the people, and that time the people still stand. 8 And them continue to read loud from the book, from the Law of the true God, them explain-am well and make the meaning clear; so them help the people understand wetin them de read.

9 And Ne·he·mi′ah, wey be governor* that time, Ez′ra wey be priest and wey be person wey de copy book,* and the Levites wey de teach the people tell all the people say: “This day dey holy for Jehovah una God. Make una no mourn or cry.” Because all the people de cry as them hear the things wey dey inside the Law. 10 E tell them say: “Make una go, make una chop the better-better things* and drink wetin dey sweet, and make una send some food to people wey no get; because this day na holy day for our Lord, and make una no feel sad, because the joy wey come from Jehovah de protect una.”* 11 And the Levites de make all the people mind come down, de tell them say: “Make una no cry! Because this day na holy day, and make una no feel sad.” 12 So all the people comot go chop and drink, send food give other people and de happy no be small, because them understand the things wey them tell them.

13 And for the second day, the leaders of the family groups of all the people for their papa side, the priests, and the Levites gather around Ez′ra the person wey de copy book,* so that them go understand more things from wetin the Law talk. 14 Then them see say them write-am for the Law say Jehovah be don use Moses command Israel people say for the time of the festival for the seventh month, make them stay inside tents wey them use leaves make,* 15 and say make them tell everybody and announce-am for all their cities and for the whole of Jerusalem say: “Make una go the areas wey mountains dey and bring the branch of trees wey get leaves from olive trees, pine trees, myrtle and palm trees, and branch of other trees wey get leaves, so that them go use them make tents wey them use leaves make according to wetin them write.”

16 So the people go out and bring them come to make tents wey them use leaves make for theirself, each person do-am ontop im roof, and still make-am for their compounds, for the compound of the house of the true God, for the public place wey near the Water Gate, and for the public place wey near the Gate of E′phra·im. 17 Na so all the people wey come back from where them be slaves before make tents wey them use leaves make and them stay inside the tents because Israel people never do-am like this from the time of Joshua wey be the son of Nun go reach that day, this one come make them happy no be small. 18 And everyday, them de read from the book of the Law of the true God, from the first day go reach the last day. And them do the festival for seven days, and them do holy occasion for the eighth day as them say make them do-am.

9 For the 24th day of this month, Israel people gather together; them de fast and wear sackcloth and pack dust for body. 2 Then Israel people separate theirself from all the strangers and them stand and confess their own sins and the sins of their papa them. 3 Then, them stand up for the place wey them dey, and read loud from the book of the Law of Jehovah their God for three hours of the day,* and for another three hours of the day, them de confess and de bow down to Jehovah their God.

4 Jesh′u·a, Ba′ni, Kad′mi·el, Sheb·a·ni′ah, Bun′ni, She·re·bi′ah, Ba′ni, and Che·na′ni stand ontop one thing wey them de call platform, wey them make for the Levites, and them use loud voice pray to Jehovah their God. 5 And the Levites wey be Jesh′u·a, Kad′mi·el, Ba′ni, Hash·ab·nei′ah, She·re·bi′ah, Ho·di′ah, Sheb·a·ni′ah, and Peth·a·hi′ah talk say: “Make una stand up and praise Jehovah una God now and forever.* And make them praise your wonderful name wey high pass all blessing and praise.

6 “Na only you be Jehovah; na you make the heavens, yes, the heaven of the heavens and all their army, the earth and everything wey dey inside-am, the seas and everything wey dey inside them. And na you keep them alive, and the army of the heavens de bow down to you. 7 Na you be Jehovah the true God wey choose A′bram and bring-am come out of Ur wey be the city of Chal·de′a people, and you give-am the name Abraham. 8 You see-am say e use all im heart obey you, so you make agreement with-am say you go give-am the land of Ca′naan people, Hit′tite people, Am′or·ite people, Per′iz·zite people, Je′bus people, and Gir′gash people, to give-am to im pikin;* and you do the things wey you promise because you dey righteous.

9 “You see how our papa-papa them suffer for Egypt and you hear their cry for help for the Red Sea. 10 Then you do signs and miracles to punish Phar′aoh and all im servants and all the people for im land, because you know say them suffer your people. You make people know your name till today. 11 And you divide the sea for their front, wey make them cross-am ontop dry land and you throw the people wey de pursue them inside the deep sea like stone wey them throw inside water wey de rush up and down. 12 You use pillar of cloud lead them for daytime, and you use pillar of fire lead them for night, so that light go dey for the road wey them de pass. 13 And you come down ontop Mount Si′nai and talk with them from heaven and you give them righteous judgments, true laws,* better directions and commandments. 14 You make them know your holy Sabbath and you use Moses your servant give them commandments, directions, and law. 15 You give them bread from heaven when them de hungry and you bring water come out from the rock when their throat dry and you tell them say make them enter and take the land wey you don swear* say you go give them.

16 “But our papa-papa them do wetin them no get the right to do, them come dey stubborn,* and them no gree listen to your commandments. 17 Them no gree listen and them no remember the wonderful things wey you do among them, but them come dey stubborn* and choose leader to carry them go back to be slaves for Egypt. But you be God wey ready to forgive,* wey de feel for person and de show mercy. You no de quick vex, you de always show love wey no de fail and you no leave them. 18 Even when them use metal* make image of small cow for theirself and talk say, ‘This na your God wey lead you come out of Egypt,’ and do things wey serious well-well to show say them no respect you, 19 even with that one, because say you de show mercy no be small, you no abandon them for the wilderness. The pillar of cloud no leave them for the road wey them de pass for daytime. And for night, the pillar of fire no stop to put light for the road wey them suppose pass. 20 You give them your better spirit to make them get deep sense and you no comot your manna from their mouth, and you give them water when their throat dry. 21 For 40 years, you give them food for the wilderness. Them get everything wey them need. Their cloths no tear, and their leg no swell up.

22 “You give them kingdoms and different-different people, you carry them give them one by one, wey make them take the land of Si′hon, wey be the land of the king of Hesh′bon as their own, with the land of Og wey be the king of Ba′shan. 23 And you make their sons plenty like the stars for heaven. Then you bring them come the land wey you promise their papa-papa them say make them enter and take-am as their own. 24 So their sons enter and take the land as their own and you help them win Ca′naan people wey be de stay for the land and you put them for their hand together with their kings and the people for the land, so that them go do them anyhow wey them like. 25 And them take over cities wey get strong protection and land wey de produce well, and them take as their own house them wey different-different kind of good things full inside with wells wey them don already dig, vine farms, olive farms, and plenty-plenty trees wey de produce fruits. So them eat and them belleful and fat, and them enjoy all the good things wey you do for them.

26 “But, them disobey and turn against you and abandon your Law.* Them kill your prophets wey warn them so that them go fit come back to you, and them do things wey show say them no respect you at all. 27 Because of this one, you put them for the hand of their enemies, wey continue to cause trouble for them. But them cry to you anytime wey them de face trouble, and you hear them from the heavens; and because say you de show mercy no be small, you give them people wey save them from the hand of their enemies.

28 “But as them just get freedom, them go start to do wetin bad again for your front, and you go leave them for the hand of their enemies, wey go start to control them.* Then them go come back and cry to you for help, and you go hear from the heavens and save them again and again, because say you de show mercy no be small. 29 Even though say you de warn them so that you go bring them back to obey your Law, them show say them dey stubborn and them no gree listen to your commandments, and them sin as them no gree follow your directions, wey be say, if person de follow them, e go dey alive. But them turn their back because them dey stubborn and them make their neck strong, and them no gree listen. 30 You dey patient with them for many years, and continue to use your spirit move your prophets to warn them, but them no gree listen. At last, you put them for the hand of the people of the lands. 31 And because say you de show mercy no be small, you no wipe them comot or abandon them, because you be God wey de feel for person and de show mercy.

32 “And now, O our God, the God wey dey great, wey get power and dey wonderful, wey don keep im agreement, and show love wey no de fail, abeg, no take small eye look all the suffer wey we don suffer together with our kings, our leaders, our priests, our prophets, our papa-papa them, and all your people from the days of the kings of As·syr′i·a come reach today. 33 For everything wey happen to us, you don always show say you dey righteous, because you don do wetin you promise, but na we do wicked things. 34 As for our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our papa-papa them, them no obey your Law or put mind for your commandments, or the things wey you de remind them wey you use warn them. 35 Even when them dey their kingdom and de enjoy the plenty better-better things wey you give them, and when them dey for the land wey you give them, wey wide and de produce well, them no serve you and them no stop to do the bad things wey them de do. 36 So see us today, we be slaves, yes, slaves for the land wey you give our papa-papa them say make them chop the things wey e de produce and the better things wey dey inside. 37 The plenty better-better things wey the land de produce na for the kings wey you don put to rule us because of our sins. Them de control our body and our animals as them like and we de suffer no be small.

38 “Because of all this one, we de do agreement wey we go write for down and our leaders, our Levites, and our priests go use their seal stamp-am.”

10 The people wey use their seal stamp-am na:

9 And the Levites wey sign-am too na: Jesh′u·a wey be the son of Az·a·ni′ah, Bin′nu·i wey come from among the sons of Hen′a·dad, Kad′mi·el, 10 and their brothers Sheb·a·ni′ah, Ho·di′ah, Ke·li′ta, Pe·la′iah, Ha′nan, 11 Mi′ca, Re′hob, Hash·a·bi′ah, 12 Zac′cur, She·re·bi′ah, Sheb·a·ni′ah, 13 Ho·di′ah, Ba′ni, and Be·ni′nu.

14 Na the leaders of the people wey sign-am be this: Pa′rosh, Pa′hath-mo′ab, E′lam, Zat′tu, Ba′ni, 15 Bun′ni, Az′gad, Be′bai, 16 Ad·o·ni′jah, Big′vai, A′din, 17 A′ter, Hez·e·ki′ah, Az′zur, 18 Ho·di′ah, Ha′shum, Be′zai, 19 Ha′riph, An′a·thoth, Ne′bai, 20 Mag′pi·ash, Me·shul′lam, He′zir, 21 Me·shez′a·bel, Za′dok, Jad′du·a, 22 Pel·a·ti′ah, Ha′nan, A·nai′ah, 23 Ho·she′a, Han·a·ni′ah, Has′shub, 24 Hal·lo′hesh, Pil′ha, Sho′bek, 25 Re′hum, Ha·shab′nah, Ma·a·sei′ah, 26 A·hi′jah, Ha′nan, A′nan, 27 Mal′luch, Ha′rim, and Ba′a·nah.

28 The rest of the people, wey be, the priests, the Levites, the gatemen, the people wey de sing, the temple servants,* and everybody wey don separate imself from the people of the land to follow the Law of the true God, with their wives, their sons and their daughters, all the people wey fit know and understand something*— 29 join their brothers, their important men, and put curse for their own head and swear say them go obey the Law of the true God, wey e use Moses the servant of the true God give them, and to sofri follow all the commandments of Jehovah our Lord, im judgments, and im directions. 30 We no go give our daughters to the people of the land and we no go take their daughters for our sons.

31 If the people of the land bring their things and every kind of grain come sell for Sabbath day, we no go buy anything from them for Sabbath day or for holy day. And for the seventh year, we no go harvest anything wey the land produce and we go cancel the money wey anybody de owe us.

32 We still decide among ourself say each of us go contribute one third of one shekel* every year for the work of the house* of our God, 33 for the layer bread,* for the grain offering wey them de do everytime, for the offering wey them de burn, wey them de do everytime for Sabbath days and new moons, and for the festivals wey them de do for the time wey them fix, for the holy things, for the sin offerings to make Israel clean from sin, and for all the work of the house of our God.

34 We still cast lots* to know when the priests, the Levites, and the people for the family groups for our papa side suppose bring wood come the house of our God, for the time wey them fix every year, wey them go use make fire ontop the altar of Jehovah our God according to wetin them write for the Law. 35 We go still bring the first ripe fruit of our land and the first ripe fruit of all kind of tree wey de produce fruit come the house of Jehovah every year, 36 together with the firstborn of our sons and of our animals wey them de keep for house, according to wetin them write for the Law, and the firstborn of our group of animals, and the firstborn of our sheep and goats. We go bring them come the house of our God, to give the priests wey de work for the house of our God. 37 And the firstfruits of our flour wey them no grind smooth, our contributions, the fruits wey come from every kind of trees, new wine, and oil, na things wey we suppose come give the priests wey them go put for the storerooms* of the house of our God, together with the tenth part of things wey come from the land wey we go give the Levites, because na the Levites be the people wey de collect the tenth parts of the things wey come out from all our cities wey we de do farmwork.

38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, must dey with the Levites when the Levites de collect the tenth parts of the things, and the Levites suppose contribute the tenth part of the tenth part to the house of our God, come the rooms* wey dey inside the storehouse. 39 Na inside the storerooms* Israel people and the sons of the Levites suppose bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and na there the things wey them de use work for the holy place dey, together with the priests wey de work, the gatemen, and the people wey de sing. We no go abandon the house of our God.

11 Now the leaders of the people be de live for Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots* to bring one person out of every ten people to come live for Jerusalem wey be the holy city, and the other nine people wey remain stay for the other cities. 2 Another thing be say, the people bless all the men wey use their mind come out to live for Jerusalem.

3 And this ones na the rulers of the area, them de live for Jerusalem. (The rest of Israel people, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants,* and the sons of the servants of Sol′o·mon, live for other cities for Judah, each person for im own property, for im city.

4 Some Judah people and some Benjamin people still live for Jerusalem.) Some of the Judah people na A·thai′ah wey be son of Uz·zi′ah son of Zech·a·ri′ah son of Am·a·ri′ah son of Sheph·a·ti′ah son of Ma·hal′a·lel wey come from among the sons of Pe′rez, 5 and Ma·a·sei′ah son of Bar′uch son of Col·ho′zeh son of Ha·zai′ah son of A·dai′ah son of Joi′a·rib son of Zech·a·ri′ah, wey be son of She·la′nite person. 6 All the sons of Pe′rez wey de live for Jerusalem na 468 strong men.

7 And na Benjamin people be this: Sal′lu son of Me·shul′lam son of Jo′ed son of Pe·dai′ah son of Ko·lai′ah son of Ma·a·sei′ah son of Ith′i·el son of Je·sha′iah, 8 and the people wey dey after-am na Gab·ba′i and Sal·la′i, and them be 928; 9 and na Joel wey be the son of Zich′ri be their overseer, and Judah wey be the son of Has·se·nu′ah na im be the second person wey de control the city.

10 The ones from among the priests na: Je·da′iah son of Joi′a·rib, Ja′chin, 11 Se·rai′ah son of Hil·ki′ah son of Me·shul′lam son of Za′dok son of Me·ra′ioth son of A·hi′tub, wey be leader for the house of the true God,* 12 and their brothers wey do the work of the house, them be 822; and A·dai′ah son of Je·ro′ham son of Pel·a·li′ah son of Am′zi son of Zech·a·ri′ah son of Pash′hur son of Mal·chi′jah, 13 and im brothers, wey be leaders of family groups for their papa side, them be 242; and A·mash′sai son of Az′ar·el son of Ah′zai son of Me·shil′le·moth son of Im′mer, 14 and their brothers wey be strong men wey no de fear, them be 128; and their overseer na Zab′di·el, wey come from one important family.

15 And the ones from among the Levites na: She·mai′ah son of Has′shub son of Az·ri′kam son of Hash·a·bi′ah son of Bun′ni, 16 and Shab′be·thai and Jo′za·bad, wey dey among the leaders of the Levites, wey dey in charge of other works for the house of the true God; 17 and Mat·ta·ni′ah, son of Mi′cah son of Zab′di son of A′saph, wey de direct people wey de sing and wey de lead for the songs wey them de sing to praise God when them de pray, and Bak·bu·ki′ah, wey be the second person among im brothers, and Ab′da son of Sham·mu′a son of Ga′lal son of Je·du′thun. 18 And all the Levites for the holy city na 284.

19 And the gatemen na Ak′kub, Tal′mon, and their brothers wey de watch the gates, them be 172.

20 The other Israel people, the priests, and the Levites, de stay for all the other cities of Judah, each person dey for im own land wey e don inherit. 21 The temple servants* de live for O′phel, and na Zi′ha and Gish′pa dey in charge of the temple servants.*

22 The overseer of the Levites wey dey Jerusalem na Uz′zi son of Ba′ni son of Hash·a·bi′ah son of Mat·ta·ni′ah son of Mi′ca, e come from among the sons of A′saph, wey be people wey de sing, na im dey in charge of the work of the house of the true God. 23 Because the king be don command the people wetin them go do for people wey de sing, and e get amount wey e talk say make them give people wey de sing as them go need each day. 24 And the person wey de advice the king* about any matter wey concern the people na Peth·a·hi′ah son of Me·shez′a·bel wey come from among the sons of Ze′rah wey be the son of Judah.

25 As for the different-different place wey people de stay and the lands wey surround them, na them be this: some of the people of Judah de live for Kir′i·ath-ar′ba and the towns wey surround-am, some de live for Di′bon and the towns wey surround-am, and some de live for Je·kab′ze·el and the village them wey surround-am, 26 for Jesh′u·a, for Mo·la′dah, for Beth-pel′et, 27 for Ha′zar-shu′al, for Be′er-she′ba and the towns wey surround-am, 28 for Zik′lag, for Me·co′nah and the towns wey surround-am, 29 for En-rim′mon, for Zor′ah, and for Jar′muth, 30 for Za·no′ah, for A·dul′lam and the village them wey surround-am, for La′chish and the lands wey surround-am, and for A·ze′kah and the towns wey surround-am. The place wey them de live* na from Be′er-she′ba go reach the Lowland* of Hin′nom.

31 And the people of Benjamin be dey for Ge′ba, Mich′mash, Ai′ja, Beth′el and the towns wey surround-am, 32 An′a·thoth, Nob, A·na·ni′ah, 33 Ha′zor, Ra′mah, Git′ta·im, 34 Ha′did, Ze·bo′im, Ne·bal′lat, 35 Lod, and O′no, the lowland of people wey sabi use hand make things. 36 And them talk say some of the Levites wey de stay for Judah area, make them go stay for Benjamin area.

12 Na this people be the priests and the Levites wey come back with Ze·rub′ba·bel wey be the son of She·al′ti·el, and Jesh′u·a: Se·rai′ah, Jeremiah, Ez′ra, 2 Am·a·ri′ah, Mal′luch, Hat′tush, 3 Shec·a·ni′ah, Re′hum, Mer′e·moth, 4 Id′do, Gin′ne·thoi, A·bi′jah, 5 Mij′a·min, Ma·a·di′ah, Bil′gah, 6 She·mai′ah, Joi′a·rib, Je·da′iah, 7 Sal′lu, A′mok, Hil·ki′ah, and Je·da′iah. Na them be the leaders of the priests and their brothers for the days of Jesh′u·a.

8 The Levites na Jesh′u·a, Bin′nu·i, Kad′mi·el, She·re·bi′ah, Judah, and Mat·ta·ni′ah, wey de lead for the songs wey them de sing to thank God, together with im brothers. 9 And Bak·bu·ki′ah and Un′ni their brothers stand opposite them de do watchman work.* 10 Jesh′u·a come be Joi′a·kim papa, Joi′a·kim come be E·li′a·shib papa, and E·li′a·shib come be Joi′a·da papa. 11 Joi′a·da come be Jon′a·than papa, and Jon′a·than come be Jad′du·a papa.

12 For the time of Joi′a·kim, na this people be the priests, the leaders of the family groups for their papa side: the person wey represent the family of Se·rai′ah na Me·rai′ah; for Jeremiah family, na Han·a·ni′ah; 13 for Ez′ra family, na Me·shul′lam; for Am·a·ri′ah family, na Je·ho·ha′nan; 14 for Mal′lu·chi family, na Jon′a·than; for Sheb·a·ni′ah family, na Joseph; 15 for Ha′rim family, na Ad′na; for Me·ra′ioth family, na Hel′kai; 16 for Id′do family, na Zech·a·ri′ah; for Gin′ne·thon family, na Me·shul′lam; 17 for A·bi′jah family, na Zich′ri; for Mi·ni′a·min family, . . . ;* for Mo·a·di′ah family, na Pil′tai; 18 for Bil′gah family, na Sham·mu′a; for She·mai′ah family, na Je·hon′a·than; 19 for Joi′a·rib family, na Mat·te′nai; for Je·da′iah family, na Uz′zi; 20 for Sal·la′i family, na Kal′lai; for A′mok family, na E′ber; 21 for Hil·ki′ah family, na Hash·a·bi′ah; for Je·da′iah family, na Ne·than′el.

22 Them write the names of the leaders of the family groups of the Levites for their papa side for the time of E·li′a·shib, Joi′a·da, Jo·ha′nan, and Jad′du·a go reach the time wey Da·ri′us wey be Persia person de rule, just as them write the names of the priests.

23 The Levites wey be the leaders of the family groups for their papa side go reach the time of Jo·ha′nan wey be the son of E·li′a·shib, them write their names for the book wey talk about the things wey happen that time. 24 The leaders of the Levites na Hash·a·bi′ah, She·re·bi′ah, and Jesh′u·a wey be the son of Kad′mi·el, and their brothers, stand opposite them de praise and thank God just as David wey be the man of the true God talk say make them do, and each group of watchmen dey near another group of watchmen. 25 Mat·ta·ni′ah, Bak·bu·ki′ah, O·ba·di′ah, Me·shul′lam, Tal′mon, and Ak′kub stand as gatemen, them de watch the storerooms wey near the gates. 26 This people work for the time of Joi′a·kim wey be the son of Jesh′u·a the son of Jo′za·dak and for the time of Ne·he·mi′ah wey be the governor and Ez′ra wey be priest and person wey de copy books.*

27 For the time wey them do the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem, them go look for the Levites and bring them come Jerusalem from all the place them wey them de live so that them go celebrate the dedication as them de happy de sing songs to thank God and de play cymbals, music instruments wey get strings, and harps.* 28 And the sons of the people wey de sing* gather together from the area,* them come from all around Jerusalem, from the village them wey Ne·to′phah people dey, 29 from Beth-gil′gal, from the lands wey dey around Ge′ba and Az′ma·veth, because the people wey de sing be don build village them round Jerusalem for theirself. 30 The priests and the Levites make theirself clean, and them make the people clean, together with the gates, and the wall.

31 Then I put the leaders of Judah ontop the wall. Another thing be say, I arrange two big groups of people wey go de sing songs to thank God, and people wey go de follow them, and one group waka go the right side ontop the wall go the side wey the Gate of the Ash Heaps dey. 32 Ho·shai′ah and half of the leaders of Judah de waka follow them for back, 33 together with Az·a·ri′ah, Ez′ra, Me·shul′lam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, She·mai′ah, and Jeremiah. 35 Some of the sons of the priests wey carry their trumpets be dey with them, them be: Zech·a·ri′ah wey be the son of Jon′a·than son of She·mai′ah son of Mat·ta·ni′ah son of Mi·cai′ah son of Zac′cur son of A′saph, 36 and im brothers wey be She·mai′ah, Az′ar·el, Mil′a·lai, Gil′a·lai, Ma′ai, Ne·than′el, Judah, and Ha·na′ni, and them hold the music instruments of David wey be the man of the true God; and Ez′ra wey be person wey de copy books* de go for their front. 37 When them reach the Fountain Gate, them waka straight go up, and them waka pass the Step of the City of David wey near the place wey them take de climb the wall ontop the House of David, and them continue to waka go the Water Gate for the east side.

38 The other group of people wey de sing to thank God de waka for the other side,* and I de follow them together with the other half of the people and we waka ontop the wall, we pass the place wey dey ontop the Tower of the Ovens and from there we waka go the Wide Wall, 39 then we pass ontop the Gate of E′phra·im and from there we go the Gate of the Old City and from there to the Fish Gate, the Tower of Ha·nan′el, the Tower of Me′ah, and we waka from there go the Sheep Gate; and we stop for the Gate of the Watchmen.

40 After some time, the two group of people wey de sing to thank God stand for front of the house of the true God; na so I do too together with half of the assistant rulers wey dey with me, 41 and the priests, wey be, E·li′a·kim, Ma·a·sei′ah, Mi·ni′a·min, Mi·cai′ah, Eli·o·e′nai, Zech·a·ri′ah, and Han·a·ni′ah, wey carry trumpets for hand, 42 and Ma·a·sei′ah, She·mai′ah, El·e·a′zar, Uz′zi, Je·ho·ha′nan, Mal·chi′jah, E′lam, and E′zer. And the people wey de sing de raise their voice de sing, and na Iz·ra·hi′ah de lead them.

43 That day, them do plenty sacrifice them, and them de happy because the true God make them happy no be small. The women and the children de happy too sotey people wey dey far place de hear-am as people de happy for Jerusalem.

44 That day, them choose men to take care of the storehouse them wey them go put the contributions, the firstfruits and the tenth parts.* Na inside them, them go put the things wey them gather from the lands wey surround the cities, the things wey the Law talk say make them give the priests and the Levites because the people de happy for Judah as e be say the priests and the Levites de do their work. 45 And them start to do the work wey their God give them and the work to make everything clean just as the people wey de sing and the gatemen de do, as David and im son Sol′o·mon don talk say make them do. 46 Because for long time wey don pass, for the time of David and A′saph, e get people wey de direct* the people wey de sing and wey de arrange the songs wey them de use praise and thank God. 47 And for the time of Ze·rub′ba·bel and for the time of Ne·he·mi′ah, all Israel people de give contribution to the people wey de sing and the gatemen according to wetin them need everyday. Them still keep contribution for the Levites and the Levites keep contribution for the children-children of Aaron.

13 That day, them read the book of Moses make the people hear and them see wetin them write for inside say make no Amʹmon person or Moʹab person ever enter the congregation of the true God, 2 because them no give Israel people bread and water, instead, them hire Baʹlaam say make e curse them. But, our God change the curse to blessing. 3 As them just hear wetin the Law talk, them start to separate all the people of other nations* from among Israel people.

4 Before this one happen, the priest wey dey in charge of the storerooms* for the house* of our God na E·liʹa·shib, wey be To·biʹah family member. 5 E·liʹa·shib be don arrange one big storeroom* for To·biʹah, and na this room them be de keep the grain offering, the frankincense, the things wey them de use work, and the tenth part* of the grain, the new wine, and the oil. And na this things them de give the Levites, the singers, and the gatemen. Na for this room them still de keep the contribution for the priests.

6 When all this things de happen, I no dey for Jerusalem, because I be go meet King Ar·ta·xerxʹes wey be the king of Babylon, for the 32nd year wey e de rule, and after some time, I beg the king say make e allow me comot from work for some time. 7 When I reach Jerusalem, I see say E·liʹa·shib don do something wey really bad because of To·biʹah. E give-am one storeroom for the compound wey dey the house of the true God. 8 This one really vex me, so I carry all To·biʹah things* wey dey inside the storeroom,* and I troway them for outside. 9 After this one, I give the command and them clean the storerooms,* and I carry the things wey them de use work for the house of the true God together with the grain offering and the frankincense, and put them back for the storerooms.*

10 I still see say them don stop to give the Levites the things wey them suppose de give them, and because of this one, the Levites and the singers wey de do the work don comot, each of them don go their own farm. 11 So I shout for the assistant rulers and I talk say: “Why them abandon the house of the true God like this?” Then I gather all the people wey be don comot and I send them back to their posts make them go do their work. 12 Then all Judah people bring the tenth part of the grain, the new wine, and the oil come the storerooms. 13 Then I choose Shel·e·miʹah wey be the priest, Zaʹdok wey be person wey de copy book,* and Pe·daiʹah wey be one of the Levites to dey in charge of the storerooms. I still choose Haʹnan wey be the son of Zacʹcur the son of Mat·ta·niʹah as their assistant, because them be men wey people fit trust. Their work na to de share things for their brothers.

14 Abeg, remember me, O my God, for this matter, and the things wey I don do to show love wey no de fail for the house of my God and for the work wey them de do for inside,* make you no forget-am.

15 That time, I see people for Judah wey de match grapes to make wine* for Sabbath day. Them de carry bundle of grain and de load them ontop donkeys. Them still de bring wine, grapes, figs, and every kind of load come inside Jerusalem for Sabbath day. So I warn them say make them no sell anything for that day.* 16 And Tyre people wey de live for the city de carry fish and every kind of market things come sell to the people of Judah and Jerusalem for Sabbath day. 17 So I shout for the important men for Judah and tell them say: “Wetin be this bad thing wey una de do, wey una de even spoil the Sabbath day? 18 No be the same thing wey una papa-papa them do be this wey make our God punish us like this and still punish our city? Now, una de add join the vex wey e don already de vex, wey de burn against Israel people, as una de spoil the Sabbath day.”

19 So the day before the Sabbath day, as day don de dark for the gates of Jerusalem, I give command say make them close the doors. I still talk say make them no open the doors until after the Sabbath day, and I put some of my own servants for the gates so that nobody go carry any load enter for Sabbath day. 20 So the business people and the people wey de sell every kind of market things sleep outside Jerusalem one or two times. 21 Then I warn them and I tell them say: “Why una de sleep for front of the wall? If una do-am again, I go pursue una comot with force.” So from that time go, them no come for Sabbath day again.

22 And I tell the Levites say make them de always make theirself clean and make them come guard the gates to make the Sabbath day holy. Abeg my God, still remember this one as part of the good things wey I don do, and make you pity me because of your love wey no de fail wey plenty well-well.

23 That time, I still see Jew people wey don marry women wey come from Ashʹdod, Amʹmon, and Moʹab.* 24 Half of their sons de speak the language of Ashʹdod people and half de speak the language of different-different nations, but no one among them sabi speak Jew people language. 25 So I shout for them and curse them, and I hit some of the men and pull their hair comot and I make them use the name of God swear and I talk say: “Una no go give una daughters to their sons and una no go accept any of their daughters for una sons or for unaself. 26 No be because of this kind things Solʹo·mon wey be king of Israel sin? E no get any king wey be like-am among all the nations, and im God love-am, sotey God make-am king to rule all Israel people. But the wives wey come from other nations make even Solʹo·mon sin. 27 How e even be for ear to hear say una do this thing wey really bad to sin against our God, as una go de marry women from other nations?”

28 One of the sons of Joiʹa·da the son of E·liʹa·shib wey be high priest don be son-in-law of San·balʹlat wey be Horʹo·nite person. So I pursue-am comot from my side.

29 Abeg remember them, O my God, because them don dirty the work wey priests de do and the agreement of the priests and the Levites.

30 And I make them clean from everything wey come from other nations, wey de make them dirty, and I give the priests and the Levites work. Each one de do im own work. 31 I still arrange say make people de carry wood come for the correct time and say make them bring the first ripe fruits.

Abeg remember me, make you bless me,* O my God.