1
Ndipo Sulemani alipowakusanya wazee wa Israeli, na wakuu wote wa kabila, wakuu wa mbari za mababa wa wana wa Israeli, wamwendee mfalme Sulemani huko Yerusalemu, ili walipandishe sanduku la agano la Bwana kutoka mji wa Daudi, yaani, Sayuni.
At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.
2
Wakakutana mbele ya mfalme Sulemani watu wote wa Israeli wakati wa sikukuu, katika mwezi wa Ethanimu, ndio mwezi wa saba.
And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.
3
Wazee wote wa Israeli wakaja, nao makuhani wakajitwika sanduku.
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,
4
Wakalipandisha sanduku la Bwana, na ile hema ya kukutania, na vyombo vitakatifu vyote vilivyokuwa katika ile Hema; vitu hivyo makuhani na Walawi wakavipandisha.
and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.
5
Mfalme Sulemani, na mkutano wote wa Israeli waliokutanika kwake, walikuwako pamoja naye mbele ya sanduku, wakichinja sadaka kondoo na ng'ombe, wasioweza kuhesabiwa wala kufahamiwa idadi yao kwa kuwa wengi.
There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.
6
Makuhani wakalileta sanduku la agano la Bwana hata mahali pake, katika chumba cha ndani cha ile nyumba, patakatifu pa patakatifu, naam, chini ya mbawa za makerubi.
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.
7
Kwa maana makerubi yalinyosha mbawa zao, juu ya mahali pa sanduku, makerubi yakalifunika lile sanduku na miti yake kwa juu.
For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.
8
Na ile miti kwa kuwa mirefu, ncha za miti zilionekana katika mahali patakatifu, mbele ya chumba cha ndani; lakini hazikuonekana nje; nayo iko kuko huko hata leo.
The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.
9
Hamkuwa na kitu ndani ya sanduku, ila zile mbao mbili za mawe ambazo Musa aliziweka ndani huko Horebu, Bwana alipofanya agano na wana wa Israeli, hapo walipotoka katika nchi ya Misri.
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.
10
Ikawa, makuhani walipotoka katika patakatifu, nyumba ya Bwana ikajaa wingu;
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD
11
hata makuhani hawakuweza kusimama ili kufanya huduma yao, kwa sababu ya wingu lile; kwa kuwa nyumba ya Bwana ilikuwa imejaa utukufu wa Bwana.
so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
12
Ndipo Sulemani akanena, Bwana alisema ya kwamba atakaa katika giza nene.
Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.
13
Hakika nimekujengea nyumba ya kukaa, iwe mahali pa makao yako milele.
I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”
14
Mfalme akageuza uso wake, akawabariki mkutano wote wa Israeli; na mkutano wote wa Israeli wakasimama.
And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all
15
Akasema, Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ahimidiwe, aliyenena na Daudi baba yangu kwa kinywa chake akalitimiza kwa mkono wake, akasema,
and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,
16
Tokea siku ile nilipowatoa watu wangu Israeli katika Misri, sikuchagua mji wo wote katika kabila zote za Israeli ili kujenga nyumba, jina langu liwe hapo; lakini nalimchagua Daudi awe juu ya watu wangu Israeli.
‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
17
Basi ilikuwa moyoni mwake Daudi, baba yangu, kujenga nyumba kwa jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.
Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
18
Lakini Bwana akamwambia Daudi baba yangu, Kwa kuwa ilikuwa moyoni mwako kujenga nyumba kwa jina langu, ulifanya vema kuwaza hivi moyoni mwako.
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
19
Lakini wewe hutanijengea nyumba hiyo; ila mwanao atakayetoka katika viuno vyako, yeye ndiye atakayeijenga nyumba kwa jina langu.
Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’
20
Basi Bwana amelitimiza neno lile alilolinena; nami nimesimama mahali pa Daudi baba yangu, na kuketi katika kiti cha enzi cha Israeli, kama Bwana alivyoahidi, nami nimeijenga nyumba kwa jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.
Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
21
Na humo sanduku hili nimelifanyizia mahali, ambalo ndani yake mna maagano ya Bwana, aliyoyafanya na baba zetu, hapo alipowatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
22
Sulemani akasimama mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana, machoni pa mkutano wote wa Israeli, akaikunjua mikono yake mbinguni.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,
23
Akasema Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe, mbinguni juu wala duniani chini; ushikaye maagano na rehema kwa watumishi wako, waendao mbele zako kwa mioyo yao yote.
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
24
Umemtimizia mtumishi wako, Daudi, baba yangu, ahadi uliyomwahidia; naam, ulinena kwa kinywa chako, ukayatimiza kwa mkono wako, kama ilivyo leo.
You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day.
25
Na sasa, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, umfikilizie mtumishi wako, Daudi, baba yangu, ahadi uliyomwahidia, ukisema, Hutakosa kuwa na mtu wa kuketi katika kiti cha enzi cha Israeli machoni pangu, kama watoto wako wakiangalia njia zao, ili kuenenda mbele zangu kama wewe ulivyoenenda.
Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’
26
Sasa, Ee Mungu wa Israeli, nakusihi, ulithibitishe neno lako, ulilomwambia mtumishi wako, Daudi, baba yangu.
And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David.
27
Lakini Mungu je? Atakaa kweli kweli juu ya nchi? Tazama, mbingu hazikutoshi, wala mbingu za mbingu; sembuse nyumba hii niliyoijenga!
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
28
Walakini uyaelekee maombi ya mtumwa wako, na dua yake, Ee Bwana, Mungu wangu, uisikilize sauti na maombi ya mtumwa wako, aombayo mbele zako leo.
Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.
29
Macho yako yafumbuke na kuielekea nyumba hii usiku na mchana, mahali hapa ulipopataja, ukasema, Hapa ndipo litakapokuwapo jina langu; ili uyasikie maombi ya mtumwa wako aombapo akikabili mahali hapa.
May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.
30
Uisikie dua ya mtumwa wako, na ya watu wako Israeli, watakapoomba wakikabili mahali hapa; naam, sikia huko mbinguni, makao yako; nawe usikiapo, samehe.
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.
31
Ikiwa mtu amemkosa mwenzake, na kupewa sharti ya kiapo aapishwe, naye akija na kuapa hapa mbele ya madhabahu yako, katika nyumba hii;
When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,
32
basi, usikie huko mbinguni, ukatende, ukawahukumu watumwa wako; ukimpatiliza mtu mbaya, kwa kuleta njia yake juu ya kichwa chake; na kumpa mwenye haki haki yake, ukimjalia kwa kadiri ya haki yake.
then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
33
Ikiwa watu wako Israeli wamepigwa mbele ya adui zao, kwa sababu wamekukosa wewe; kama wakirejea tena kwako, na kulikiri jina lako wakikuomba na kukusihi katika nyumba hii;
When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple,
34
basi, usikie huko mbinguni, ukawaachilie watu wako Israeli dhambi yao, ukawarejeze tena katika nchi uliyowapa baba zao.
then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers.
35
Ikiwa mbingu zimefungwa, hata hakuna mvua, kwa sababu wamekukosa wewe; kama wakiomba wakikabili mahali hapa, na kulikiri jina lako, na kuiacha dhambi yao, wakati ule utakapowatesa;
When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them,
36
basi, usikie huko mbinguni, ukaisamehe dhambi ya watumwa wako, na ya watu wako Israeli; unapowafundisha njia iliyo njema, iwapasayo kuiendea; ukanyeshe mvua juu ya nchi yako, uliyowapa watu wako iwe urithi wao.
then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.
37
Ikiwa nchi imeingia njaa, au tauni, au ukosefu wa mvua, au ukungu, au nzige, au panzi; ikiwa adui wamewahusuru katika nchi ya miji yao; au ukiwapo msiba wo wote, au uele wo wote;
When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,
38
maombi yo yote au dua yo yote ikifanywa na mtu awaye yote, au na watu wako Israeli wote pamoja, watakaojua kila mtu maradhi ya moyo wake, na kuikunjua mikono yake kuielekea nyumba hii;
then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple—
39
basi, usikie huko mbinguni, makao yako, ukasamehe, ukatende, ukampe kila mtu kwa kadiri ya njia zake; wewe ujuaye moyo wake; (maana wewe peke yako ndiwe uijuaye mioyo ya wanadamu wote);
be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—
40
ili wakuche wewe siku zote watakazoishi katika nchi uliyowapa baba zetu.
so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.
41
Hata na mgeni naye, asiyekuwa mmoja wa watu wako Israeli, atakapokuja kutoka nchi iliyo mbali sana kwa ajili ya jina lako;
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—
42
(maana watasikia habari za jina lako kuu, na za mkono wako ulio hodari, na za mkono wako ulionyoshwa); atakapokuja na kuomba kuielekea nyumba hii;
for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,
43
basi, usikie huko mbinguni, makao yako, ukatende kwa kadiri ya yote atakayokuomba mgeni huyo; ili watu wote wa dunia wapate kulijua jina lako, na kukucha wewe kama watu wako Israeli, nao wajue ya kuwa nyumba hii, niliyoijenga, imeitwa kwa jina lako.
then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.
44
Ikiwa watu wako watoka kwenda kupigana na adui zao, kwa njia yo yote utakayowapeleka, wakikuomba, Bwana, kuuelekea mji huu uliouchagua, na nyumba hii niliyoijenga kwa jina lako;
When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name,
45
basi, uyasikie huko mbinguni maombi yao na dua yao, ukaitetee haki yao.
then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.
46
Ikiwa wamekutenda dhambi, (maana hakuna mtu asiyetenda dhambi), hata ukawaghadhibikia, ukawatia katika mikono ya adui zao, wawachukue mateka mpaka nchi ya adui zao, iliyo mbali au iliyo karibu;
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,
47
basi, wakijirudia nafsi zao katika nchi ile watakayochukuliwa mateka, wakitubu, na kukusihi katika nchi ya hao waliowachukua mateka, wakisema, Tumekosa, tumefanya ukaidi, tumetenda maovu;
and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’
48
watakaporejea kwako kwa mioyo yao yote, na kwa nia zao zote, katika nchi ya adui zao, waliowachukua mateka, wakikuomba, kwa kuikabili nchi yao, uliyowapa baba zao, na mji huu uliouchagua, na nyumba hii niliyoijenga kwa jina lako;
and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,
49
basi, uyasikie maombi yao na dua yao, huko mbinguni, makao yako, ukaitetee haki yao;
then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.
50
ukawasamehe watu wako waliokutenda dhambi, na makosa yao yote waliyokukosa; ukawape kuonewa huruma mbele yao waliowachukua mateka, ili wapate kuwahurumia.
May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.
51
Kwa kuwa ni watu wako, na urithi wako, uliowatoa katika Misri, toka katikati ya tanuu ya chuma.
For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron.
52
Macho yako na yafumbuke, na kuielekea dua ya mtumwa wako, na dua za watu wako Israeli, ukawasikilize kila wakati watakapokulilia.
May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You.
53
Kwa maana uliwatenga na watu wote wa dunia, wawe urithi wako, kama ulivyonena kwa mdomo wa Musa, mtumishi wako, hapo ulipowatoa baba zetu katika Misri, Ee Bwana MUNGU.
For You, O Lord GOD, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”
54
Hata ikawa, Sulemani alipokwisha kumwomba Bwana maombi hayo, na dua hiyo yote, akasimama na kuondoka hapo mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana, hapo alipokuwa amepiga magoti, na kuikunjua mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni.
Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.
55
Akasimama, na kuwabariki mkutano wote wa Israeli kwa sauti kuu, akasema,
And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:
56
Na ahimidiwe Bwana, aliyewapa watu wake Israeli kustarehe, vile vile kama yote aliyoyaahidi. Halikukosa kupatikana neno lo lote katika ahadi yake njema, aliyoahidi kwa mkono wa Musa, mtumishi wake.
“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.
57
Bwana, Mungu wetu, na akae nasi, kama alivyokaa na baba zetu; asituache, wala asitutupe;
May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us or forsake us.
58
aielekeze mioyo yetu kwake, ili tuende katika njia zake zote, na kuzishika amri zake, na sheria zake, na hukumu zake, alizowaamuru baba zetu.
May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.
59
Na maneno yangu haya, niliyoyaomba mbele za Bwana, na yawe karibu na Bwana, Mungu wetu, mchana na usiku, ili aitetee haki ya mtumishi wake, na haki ya watu wake Israeli, kwa kadiri ya haja zao za kila siku.
And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold the cause of His servant and of His people Israel as each day requires,
60
Watu wote wa ulimwengu wajue ya kuwa Bwana ndiye Mungu; hakuna mwingine.
so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!
61
Mioyo yenu na iwe kamili kwa Bwana, Mungu wetu, kuenenda katika sheria zake, na kuzishika amri zake, kama ilivyo leo.
So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”
62
Ndipo mfalme, na Israeli wote pamoja naye, wakatoa sadaka mbele za Bwana.
Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD.
63
Sulemani akatoa sadaka za amani, alizomtolea Bwana, ng'ombe ishirini na mbili elfu, na kondoo mia na ishirini elfu. Ndivyo mfalme na wana wa Israeli wote walivyoifanya wakfu nyumba ya Bwana.
And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.
64
Siku ile ile mfalme akaitakasa behewa ya katikati iliyokuwa mbele ya nyumba ya Bwana; kwa kuwa hapo ndipo alipotoa sadaka ya kuteketezwa, na sadaka ya unga, na mafuta ya sadaka za amani; kwa sababu ile madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele za Bwana ilikuwa ndogo, haikutosha kuzipokea sadaka za kuteketezwa, na sadaka za unga, na mafuta ya sadaka za amani.
On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.
65
Basi, wakati ule Sulemani akafanya sikukuu, na Israeli wote pamoja naye, kusanyiko kubwa sana, kutoka maingilio ya Hamathi mpaka kijito cha Misri, mbele za Bwana, Mungu wetu, siku saba na siku saba, yaani siku kumi na nne.
So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.
66
Hata siku ya nane akaagana na watu, nao wakambarikia mfalme, wakaenda hemani kwao, wakifurahi na kuchangamka moyoni kwa wema wote Bwana aliomfanyia Daudi mtumishi wake, na Israeli watu wake.
On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel.