1
Ikawa katika mwaka wa saba, mwezi wa tano, siku ya kumi ya mwezi, baadhi ya wazee wa Israeli walikuja ili kuuliza kwa Bwana, wakaketi mbele yangu.
In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me.
2
Neno la Bwana likanijia, kusema,
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
3
Mwanadamu, sema na wazee wa Israeli, uwaambie, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Je! Mmekuja kuniuliza neno? Kama mimi niishivyo, asema Bwana MUNGU, sitaulizwa neno na ninyi.
“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.
4
Je! Utawahukumu, mwanadamu, utawahukumu? Uwajulishe machukizo ya baba zao;
Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers
5
uwaambie, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Katika siku ile nilipochagua Israeli, na kuwainulia wazao wa nyumba ya Yakobo mkono wangu, na kujidhihirisha kwao katika nchi ya Misri, hapo nilipowainulia mkono wangu, nikisema, Mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wenu;
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’
6
katika siku ile naliwainulia mkono wangu, kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri, na kuwaingiza katika nchi niliyowapelelezea, ijaayo maziwa na asali, ambayo ni utukufu wa nchi zote;
On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
7
nikawaambia, Kila mtu kwenu na atupilie mbali machukizo ya macho yake, wala msijitie unajisi kwa vinyago vya Misri, Mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wenu.
And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’
8
Lakini waliniasi, wala hawakutaka kunisikiliza; hawakutupilia mbali kila mtu machukizo ya macho yake, wala hawakuviacha vinyago vya Misri; ndipo nikasema kwamba nitamwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao, ili kuitimiza hasira yangu juu yao, katikati ya nchi ya Misri.
But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.
9
Lakini nalitenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, ili lisitiwe unajisi mbele ya macho ya mataifa, ambao walikaa pamoja nao, ambao machoni pao nalijidhihirisha kwao, kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
10
Basi nikawatoa katika nchi ya Misri, nikawaleta jangwani.
So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11
Nikawapa amri zangu, na kuwaonyesha hukumu zangu, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kwazo, kama akizitenda.
And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.
12
Tena naliwapa sabato zangu, ziwe ishara kati ya mimi na wao, wapate kujua ya kuwa mimi, Bwana, ndimi niwatakasaye.
I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
13
Lakini nyumba ya Israeli waliniasi jangwani; hawakuenda katika amri zangu, wakazikataa hukumu zangu, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kwazo, kama akizitenda; na sabato zangu walizitia unajisi sana; ndipo nikasema, Nitamwaga hasira yangu juu yao jangwani, ili niwaangamize.
Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.
14
Lakini nalitenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, lisitiwe unajisi machoni pa mataifa, ambao naliwatoa mbele ya macho yao.
But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15
Tena naliwainulia mkono wangu jangwani, ya kwamba sitawaingiza katika nchi ile niliyokuwa nimewapa, ijaayo maziwa na asali, ambayo ni utukufu wa nchi zote;
Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—
16
kwa sababu walizikataa hukumu zangu, wala hawakuenda katika amri zangu, wakazitia unajisi sabato zangu, kwa maana mioyo yao iliandama vinyago vyao.
because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.
17
Walakini jicho langu likawahurumia nisiwaangamize kabisa, wala sikuwakomesha kabisa jangwani.
Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.
18
Kisha nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, Msiende katika amri za baba zenu, wala msizishike hukumu zao, wala msijitie unajisi kwa vinyago vyao.
In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
19
Mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wenu; endeni katika amri zangu, mkazishike hukumu zangu, na kuzitenda;
I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
20
zitakaseni sabato zangu; zitakuwa ishara kati ya mimi na ninyi, mpate kujua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.
Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
21
Lakini watoto hao waliniasi; hawakuenda katika amri zangu, wala hawakuzishika hukumu zangu kuzitenda, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kwazo kama akizitenda; walizitia unajisi sabato zangu, ndipo nikasema, kwamba nitamwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao, ili kuitimiza hasira yangu juu yao jangwani.
But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.
22
Lakini naliuzuia mkono wangu, nikatenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, lisitiwe unajisi mbele ya macho ya mataifa, ambao mbele ya macho yao naliwatoa.
But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
23
Tena naliwainulia mkono wangu jangwani, kwamba nitawatawanya kati ya mataifa, na kuwatapanya katika nchi mbalimbali;
However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.
24
kwa sababu hawakuzitekeleza hukumu zangu, bali walizikataa amri zangu, nao walizitia unajisi sabato zangu, na macho yao yaliandama vinyago vya baba zao.
For they did not practice My ordinances, but they rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, fixing their eyes on the idols of their fathers.
25
Tena naliwapa amri zisizokuwa njema, na hukumu ambazo hawakuweza kuishi kwazo;
I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.
26
nami nikawatia unajisi kwa matoleo yao wenyewe, kwa kuwa walipitisha motoni wote waliofungua tumbo; ili kuwafanya kuwa ukiwa, wakapate kujua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana.
And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.
27
Basi, mwanadamu, sema na nyumba ya Israeli, uwaambie, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Baba zenu wamenitukana kwa jambo hili, kwa kuwa wamekosa kosa juu yangu.
Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by their unfaithfulness against Me.
28
Kwa maana nilipokuwa nimekwisha kuwaingiza katika nchi ile, ambayo naliuinua mkono wangu kuwapa, wakati huo walipoona kila mlima mrefu, na kila mti wenye majani mengi, walitoa matoleo yao huko, na huko walitoa chukizo la sadaka zao, na huko walifanya nukato la kupendeza, na huko walimimina sadaka zao za kunywewa.
When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings.
29
Ndipo nikawauliza, Nini maana yake mahali palipoinuka mnapopaendea? Basi, jina lake mahali pale ni Bama hata leo.
So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)
30
Basi, uwaambie nyumba ya Israeli, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Je! Mnajitia unajisi kwa kuzifuata njia za baba zenu? Mnakwenda kufanya uasherati kwa kuyafuata machukizo yao?
Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations?
31
Tena mtoapo matoleo yenu, na kuwapitisha watoto wenu motoni, je! Mnajitia unajisi kwa vinyago vyenu vyote hata leo? Na mimi je! Niulizwe neno nanyi, Enyi nyumba ya Israeli? Kama mimi niishivyo, asema Bwana MUNGU, sitaulizwa neno na ninyi.
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!
32
Na haya yote yaingiayo katika nia zenu hayatakuwa kamwe; ikiwa mmesema, Sisi tutakuwa sawasawa na mataifa, sawasawa na jamaa za nchi nyingine, kutumikia miti na mawe.
When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass.
33
Kama mimi niishivyo, asema Bwana MUNGU, hakika kwa mkono hodari, na kwa mkono ulionyoshwa, na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika, nitakuwa mfalme juu yenu;
As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will rule over you.
34
nami nitawatoa katika mataifa, na kuwakusanya, na kuwatoa katika nchi mlizotawanyika ndani yake, kwa mkono hodari, na kwa mkono ulionyoshwa, na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika;
With a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered.
35
nami nitawaingiza katika jangwa la mataifa, na huko ndiko nitakakoteta nanyi uso kwa uso.
And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
36
Kama nilivyoteta na baba zenu katika jangwa la Misri, ndivyo nitakavyoteta nanyi, asema Bwana MUNGU.
Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD.
37
Nami nitawapitisha chini ya fimbo, nami nitawaingiza katika mafungo ya agano.
I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38
Nami nitawasafisha kwa kuwatoa waasi, na hao walionikosa; nitawatoa katika nchi wanayokaa ugenini, lakini hawataingia katika nchi ya Israeli; nanyi mtajua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana.
And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
39
Na katika habari zenu, enyi nyumba ya Israeli, Bwana MUNGU asema hivi, Enendeni, mkavitumikie vinyago vyenu kila mmoja wenu; na wakati wa baadaye pia, kama hamtaki kunisikiliza; lakini jina langu takatifu hamtalitia unajisi tena, kwa matoleo yenu, na kwa vinyago wenu.
And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
40
Kwa maana katika mlima wangu mtakatifu, katika mlima mrefu sana wa Israeli, asema Bwana MUNGU, ndiko watakakonitumikia nyumba yote ya Israeli, wote pia katika nchi ile; nami nitawatakabali huko, na huko nitataka matoleo yenu, na malimbuko ya dhabihu zenu, pamoja na vitu vyenu vitakatifu vyote.
For on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your offerings and choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.
41
Nitawatakabali kama harufu ipendezayo, nitakapowatoa katika mataifa, na kuwakusanya toka nchi zile mlizotawanyika; nami nitatakaswa kwenu machoni pa mataifa.
When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.
42
Nanyi mtajua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakapowaingiza katika nchi ya Israeli, katika nchi ile ambayo niliuinua mkono wangu kwamba nitawapa baba zenu.
Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I swore to give your fathers.
43
Na huko mtazikumbuka njia zenu, na matendo yenu yote, ambayo mmejitia unajisi kwayo; nanyi mtajichukia katika macho yenu wenyewe, kwa sababu ya maovu yenu yote mliyoyatenda.
There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done.
44
Nanyi mtajua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakapokuwa nimetenda nanyi kwa ajili ya jina langu, si sawasawa na njia zenu mbaya, wala si sawasawa na matendo yenu mabovu, enyi nyumba ya Israeli, asema Bwana MUNGU.
Then you will know, O house of Israel, that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for the sake of My name and not according to your wicked ways and corrupt acts, declares the Lord GOD.”
45
Neno la Bwana likanijia, kusema,
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
46
Mwanadamu, uelekeze uso wako kusini, ukadondoze neno lako upande wa kusini, ukatabiri juu ya msitu wa uwanda wa Negebu,
“Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
47
ukauambie msitu wa Negebu, Lisikie neno la Bwana; Bwana MUNGU asema hivi; Tazama nitawasha moto ndani yako, nao utakula kila mti mbichi ndani yako, na kila mti mkavu; miali ya moto ule haitazimika, na nyuso zote toka kusini hata kaskazini zitateketezwa kwa moto huo.
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
48
Na watu wote wenye mwili wataona ya kuwa mimi, Bwana, nimeuwasha; hautazimika.
Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”
49
Ndipo nikasema, Ee Bwana MUNGU, wao hunisema; Je! Mtu huyu si mtu mwenye kupiga mithali?</p>
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”