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843 B
843 B
May the king live forever
Nehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here "forever" is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate translation: "Long live the king" or "May the king have a long life" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole)
Why should not my face be sad?
Here Nehemiah uses this rhetorical question to tell the king that he has a reason to be sad. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "I have very good reasons to be sad." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)
the place of my fathers' tombs
"the place where my ancestors are buried"
its gates have been destroyed by fire
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "fire has destroyed its gates" or "our enemy has burned its gates" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)