1
Na sasa, Ee Israeli, zisikilizeni amri na hukumu niwafundishazo, ili mzitende; mpate kuishi na kuingia na kuimiliki nchi awapayo Bwana, Mungu wa baba zenu.
Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
2
Msiliongeze neno niwaamurulo wala msilipunguze, mpate kuzishika amri za Bwana, Mungu wenu, niwaamuruzo.
You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.
3
Macho yenu yameona aliyoyatenda Bwana kwa sababu ya Baal-peori; maana wote waliomfuata Baal-peori, Bwana, Mungu wako, amewaangamiza kutoka kati yako.
Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all who followed Baal of Peor.
4
Bali ninyi mlioambatana na Bwana, Mungu wenu, mnaishi kila mmoja wenu, hata leo.
But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.
5
Angalieni nimewafundisha amri na hukumu, vile vile kama Bwana, Mungu wangu, alivyoniamuru, ili mzitende katika nchi mwingiayo ili kuimiliki.
See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess.
6
Zishikeni basi, mkazitende, maana hii ndiyo hekima yenu na akili zenu, machoni pa mataifa watakaozisikia amri hizi zote, nao watasema, Hakika taifa hili kubwa ni watu wenye hekima na akili.
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
7
Kwa maana liko taifa gani kubwa, lililo na Mungu aliye karibu nao, kama Bwana, Mungu wetu, alivyo, kila tumwitapo?
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
8
Tena liko taifa gani kubwa, lililo na amri na hukumu zenye haki kama torati hii yote, ninayoiweka mbele yenu leo.
And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
9
Lakini, jihadhari nafsi yako, ukailinde roho yako kwa bidii, usije ukayasahau mambo yale uliyoyaona kwa macho yako, yakaondoka moyoni mwako siku zote za maisha yako; bali uwajulishe watoto wako na watoto wa watoto wako;
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
10
siku ile uliyosimama mbele za Bwana wako huko Horebu, Bwana aliponiambia, Nikusanyieni watu hawa, nami nitawasikizisha maneno yangu, ili wajifunze kunicha mimi siku zote watakazoishi duniani, wakapate na kuwafundisha watoto wao.
The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”
11
Mkakaribia, mkasimama chini ya ule mlima; mlima ukawaka moto mpaka kati ya mbinguni, kwa giza na mawingu, na giza kuu.
You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.
12
Bwana akasema nanyi kutoka kati ya moto; mkasikia sauti ya maneno, lakini hamkuona umbo lo lote; sauti tu.
And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
13
Akawahubiri agano lake, alilowaamuru kulitenda, yaani, zile amri kumi; akaziandika juu ya mbao mbili za mawe.
He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.
14
Bwana akaniamuru wakati ule niwafundishe maagizo na hukumu, mpate kuzitenda katika nchi ile mtakayoivukia ili kuimiliki.
At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
15
Jihadharini nafsi zenu basi; maana hamkuona umbo la namna yo yote siku ile Bwana aliyosema nanyi kutoka kati ya moto;
So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful
16
msije mkajiharibu nafsi zenu, mkajifanyia sanamu ya kuchonga, mfano wa sura yo yote, mfano wa mwanamume au mwanamke,
that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,
17
mfano wa mnyama ye yote aliye duniani, au mfano wa ndege ye yote arukaye mbinguni,
of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,
18
au mfano wa kitu cho chote kitambaacho juu ya ardhi, au mfano wa samaki ye yote aliye majini chini ya nchi;
or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.
19
tena usije ukainua macho yako hata mbinguni, na ulionapo jua, na mwezi, na nyota, jeshi la mbinguni lote pia, ukashawishwa na kuviabudu, na kuvitumikia, ambavyo Bwana, Mungu wako amewagawanyia watu wote chini ya mbingu zote.
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
20
Bali Bwana amewatwaa ninyi, na kuwatoa katika tanuu ya chuma, katika Misri, mpate kuwa watu wa urithi kwake, kama mlivyo leo hivi.
Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.
21
Tena Bwana alinikasirikia kwa ajili yenu, akaapa ya kwamba sitavuka Yordani, na ya kwamba sitaingia nchi ile njema, awapayo Bwana, Mungu wenu, iwe urithi.
The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
22
Lakini mimi nitakufa katika nchi hii, sina ruhusa kuvuka Yordani; bali ninyi mtavuka, na kuimiliki nchi ile njema.
For I will not be crossing the Jordan, because I must die in this land. But you shall cross over and take possession of that good land.
23
Jihadharini nafsi zenu, msije mkalisahau agano la Bwana, Mungu wenu, alilolifanya nanyi, mkajifanyia sanamu ya kuchonga, mfano wa umbo la kitu cho chote ulichokatazwa na Bwana, Mungu wenu,
Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.
24
kwa kuwa Bwana, Mungu wenu, ni moto ulao, Mungu mwenye wivu.
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
25
Utakapozaa wana, na wana wa wana, mkisha kuwa katika nchi siku nyingi, mkajiharibu na kufanya sanamu ya kuchonga kwa umbo la kitu cho chote, mkafanya ambayo ni maovu machoni pa Bwana, Mungu wako, na kumtia hasira;
After you have children and grandchildren and you have been in the land a long time, if you then act corruptly and make an idol of any form—doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God and provoking Him to anger—
26
nawashuhudizia mbingu na nchi hivi leo, kwamba karibu mtaangamia kabisa juu ya nchi mwivukiayo Yordani kuimiliki, hamtafanya siku zenu ziwe nyingi juu yake, ila mtaangamizwa kabisa.
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed.
27
Na Bwana atawatawanya kati ya mataifa, nanyi mtasalia watu kidogo hesabu yenu kati ya makabila, mtakakopelekwa mbali na Bwana.
Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
28
Na huko mtatumikia miungu, kazi za mikono ya watu, miti na mawe, ambao hawaoni, wala hawasikii, hawali, wala hawanusi.
And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
29
Lakini huko, kama mkimtafuta Bwana, Mungu wako, utampata, ukimtafuta kwa moyo wako wote, na roho yako yote.
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
30
Na wakati uwapo katika mashaka, ukiisha kupatwa na mambo haya yote, siku za mwisho, utamrudia Bwana, Mungu wako, na kuisikiza sauti yake;
When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.
31
kwa kuwa Bwana, Mungu wako, ni Mungu wa rehema; hatakukosa wala kukuangamiza, wala hatalisahau agano la baba zako alilowaapia.
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.
32
Maana uliza sasa siku zilizopita, zilizokuwa kabla yako, tangu siku ile Mungu aliyoumba mwanadamu juu ya nchi, na toka pembe hii ya mbingu hata pembe hii, kwamba kumetukia neno lo lote kama neno hili kubwa, au kwamba kumesikiwa habari ya neno kama hili?
Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported?
33
Je! Watu wakati wo wote wameisikia sauti ya Mungu ikinena toka kati ya moto, kama wewe ulivyosikia, wasife?
Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived?
34
Au Mungu amekwenda wakati gani akajitwalia taifa toka kati ya taifa lingine, kwa majaribu, na kwa ishara, na kwa maajabu, na kwa vita, na kwa mkono hodari, na kwa mkono ulionyoshwa, na kwa maogofya makuu, kama vile Bwana, Mungu wenu, alivyowatendea ninyi katika Misri, mbele ya macho yenu?
Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?
35
Wewe umeonyeshwa haya, ili upate kujua ya kuwa Bwana ndiye Mungu, hapana mwingine ila yeye.
You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him.
36
Kutoka mbinguni amekusikizisha sauti yake, ili akufundishe; na juu ya nchi alikuonyesha moto wake mkuu; ukasikia maneno yake toka kati ya moto.
He let you hear His voice from heaven to discipline you, and on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the fire.
37
Na kwa sababu aliwapenda baba zenu, kwa sababu hiyo aliwachagua wazao wao baada yao, akakutoa katika Misri kwa kuwako pamoja nawe, kwa uweza wake mwingi,
Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power,
38
ili kufukuza mbele yako mataifa, walio wakubwa, wenye nguvu kukupita wewe, ili kukuingiza, na kukupa nchi yao iwe urithi, kama ilivyo leo.
to drive out before you nations greater and mightier than you, and to bring you into their land and give it to you for your inheritance, as it is this day.
39
Kwa hiyo ujue, leo hivi, ukaweke moyoni mwako, ya kuwa Bwana ndiye Mungu katika mbingu juu, na katika nchi chini; hapana mwingine.
Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
40
Basi, zishike sheria zake, na amri zake, ninazokuamuru leo, upate kufanikiwa, wewe na watoto wako baada yako, na siku zako ziwe nyingi katika nchi ile akupayo Bwana, Mungu wako, milele.
Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.
41
Ndipo Musa akabagua miji mitatu ng'ambo ya Yordani upande wa matokeo ya jua;
Then Moses set aside three cities across the Jordan to the east
42
ili kwamba amwuaye mtu apate kukimbilia huko, amwuaye jirani yake pasipo kujua, wala hakumchukia tangu hapo; ili apate kuishi akimbiliapo mmojawapo miji hiyo;
to which a manslayer could flee after killing his neighbor unintentionally without prior malice. To save one’s own life, he could flee to one of these cities:
43
nayo ni hii, Beseri ya barani iliyo katika nchi tambarare, kwa Wareubeni; na Ramothi iliyo Gileadi, kwa Wagadi; na Golani iliyo Bashani, kwa Wamanase.
Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau belonging to the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the Gadites, or Golan in Bashan belonging to the Manassites.
44
Na torati Musa aliyowawekea wana wa Israeli ni hii;
This is the law that Moses set before the Israelites.
45
haya ndiyo mashuhudizo, na amri, na hukumu, Musa alizowaambia wana wa Israeli walipotoka Misri;
These are the testimonies, statutes, and ordinances that Moses proclaimed to them after they had come out of Egypt,
46
ng'ambo ya Yordani, katika bonde lililoelekea Beth-peori, katika nchi ya Sihoni mfalme wa Waamori, aliyekuwa akikaa Heshboni ndiye aliyepigwa na Musa na wana wa Israeli, walipotoka Misri;
while they were in the valley across the Jordan facing Beth-peor in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon and was defeated by Moses and the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.
47
wakaishika nchi yake, ikawa milki yao, na nchi ya Ogu mfalme wa Bashani, ndio wafalme wawili wa Waamori, waliokuwa ng'ambo ya Yordani upande wa matokeo ya jua;
They took possession of the land belonging to Sihon and to Og king of Bashan—the two Amorite kings across the Jordan to the east—
48
toka Aroeri, iliyo juu ya ukingoni pa bonde la Arnoni, hata mpaka mlima wa Sioni (nao ndio Hermoni),
extending from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Siyon (that is, Hermon),
49
na Araba yote iliyo ng'ambo ya Yordani upande wa mashariki, hata mpaka bahari ya Araba, chini ya matelemko ya Pisga. </p>
including all the Arabah on the east side of the Jordan and as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.