NFW changes, general edits

neh/front/intro.md

@@ -8,43 +8,43 @@
     - Nehemiah prays (1:1-11)
     - King Artaxerxes allows Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem (2:1–2:8)
     - Nehemiah inspects the walls of Jerusalem (2:9–2:20)
-1. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)
+1. The walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt (3:1-4:23)
     - Beginning at the Sheep Gate and attracting notice of enemies (3:1–32)
     - Sanballat and Tobiah threaten to stop the work on the walls (4:1–12)
-    - The work proceeds under Nehemiah's leadership (4:13–23)
+    - The work proceeds as Nehemiah leads the people (4:13–23)
-1. Nehemiah addresses mistreatment of the poor and provides an example of unselfishness (5:1–19)
+1. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)
-1. Samaritans seek to slow the work of rebuilding the walls, but the walls are completed in fifty-two days (6:1–19)
+1. Enemies try to slow down the work on the walls, but the people finish the walls in fifty-two days (6:1–19)
-1. A repeat of the counting of the people (7:6–70)
+1. Nehemiah again lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)
-1. The renewal of the covenant with Yahweh (10:1–39)
+1. Ezra reads the Law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)
-1. A counting of the Jewish leaders in the region (11:1–36)
+1. The people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)
-1. A counting of the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
+1. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
-1. The dedication of the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
+1. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
-1. Correcting abuses and bringing reforms (13:1–31)
+1. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)
 
 #### What is the Book of Nehemiah about? ####
 
-The book of Nehemiah is about a Jew named Nehemiah. He lived in Persian and worked for the king. Nehemiah received a report about the condition of the wall around Jerusalem. In those times, the city wall was essential to the protection of the city against armies and invaders. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city walls. 
+A Jew named Nehemiah lived in Persia and worked for King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a report that the wall around Jerusalem was broken down. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city walls. The walls around the city helped protect the city against armies and invaders. 
 
 #### How should the title of this book be translated? ####
 
-It is suggested that translators use a self-explanatory title or follow the regional or the national language versions of the Bible. "Nehemiah" is named for the events of the book which focus on the leadership of Nehemiah. One possible title is "The Book about Nehemiah." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
+The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title "Nehemiah." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "The Book about Nehemiah." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
 
 ## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts ##
 
 #### Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations? ####
 
-Foreigners worshiped many false gods. Yahweh did not allow his people to marry foreigners because he knew this would cause the people of Israel to worship other gods. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
+Foreigners worshiped many false gods. Yahweh did not allow his people to marry foreigners. He knew this would cause the people of Israel to worship false gods. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
 
 #### Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland? ####
 
-Many of the Jews remained in Babylon instead of returning to the Promised Land. Many of them had become successful in Babylon and desired to remain there. However, this meant that they were unable to participate in the temple worship as their ancestors had done. . (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promisedland]])
+Many of the Jews remained in Babylon instead of returning to the Promised Land. Many of them were successful in Babylon and desired to remain there. However, this meant that they were unable to worship Yahweh in Jerusalem as their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promisedland]])
 
 ## Part 3: Important Translation Issues ##
 
 #### How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term "Israel"? ####
 
-The Book of Nehemiah uses the term "Israel" to refer to the kingdom of Judah, which was composed mostly of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile. As a result, they became a part of other ethnic groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])
+The Book of Nehemiah uses the term "Israel" to refer to the kingdom of Judah. This kingdom was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])
 
 #### Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened? ####
 
-Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are not told in the order they actually happened. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of order with each other.
+Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are not told in the order they actually happened. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of order.