1
Basi Mordeikai alipojua mambo yote yaliyofanyika, alizirarua nguo zake, akajivika gunia pamoja na majivu, akatoka hata kufika katikati ya mji, akalia kwa sauti kuu ya uchungu.
When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
2
Pia akafika hata mbele ya mlango wa mfalme; maana hakuna awezaye kuingia ndani ya mlango wa mfalme hali amevaa magunia.
But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.
3
Na katika kila jimbo, ambako amri ya mfalme na mbiu yake imewasili, palikuwako msiba mkuu kwa Wayahudi, na kufunga, na kulia, na kuomboleza; hata na wengi wakalala juu ya gunia na majivu.
In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4
Basi wajakazi wake Esta, na wasimamizi wake wa nyumba, wakamjia, wakampasha habari; naye malkia akahuzunika mno; akampelekea Mordekai mavazi, ili kumvika, na kumwondolea gunia lake; walakini yeye asikubali.
When Esther’s maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.
5
Kisha Esta akamwita Hathaki, msimamizi-wa-nyumba mmojawapo wa mfalme, aliyemwagiza amhudumu Esta, akamtuma kwa Mordekai, ili ajue mambo hayo, na maana yake ni nini.
Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why.
6
Basi yule Hathaki akatoka nje kumwendea Mordekai kwenye uwanda wa mji ulipo mbele ya mlango wa mfalme.
So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the king’s gate,
7
Naye Mordekai akamweleza yote yaliyompata, na hesabu ya fedha Hamani aliyoahidi kulipa katika hazina ya mfalme, ili Wayahudi waangamizwe.
and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews.
8
Pia akampa na nakili ya andiko la mbiu ya kuwaangamiza, iliyotangazwa Shushani, ili amwonyeshe Esta, na kumweleza; tena amwagize aingie kwa mfalme, kumsihi na kuwaombea watu wake.
Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people.
9
Basi Hathaki akaja, akamwambia Esta maneno ya Mordekai.
So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai’s response to Esther.
10
Ndipo Esta akasema na Hathaki, akamtuma tena kwa Mordekai, kusema,
Then Esther spoke to Hathach and instructed him to tell Mordecai,
11
Watumwa wote wa mfalme wanajua sana, hata na watu wa majimbo ya mfalme, ya kwamba mtu ye yote, akiwa mwanamume au mwanamke, atakayemjia mfalme katika ua wa ndani, wala hakuitwa, kuna sheria moja kwake, ni kwamba auawe; isipokuwa yeye ambaye mfalme atamnyoshea fimbo ya dhahabu, ili aishi; wala mimi sikuitwa niingie kwa mfalme yapata siku thelathini.
“All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.”
12
Basi wakamwambia Mordekai maneno ya Esta.
When Esther’s words were relayed to Mordecai,
13
Naye Mordekai akawaagiza wampelekee Esta jibu la kusema, Wewe usijidhanie kuwa wewe utaokoka nyumbani mwa mfalme, zaidi ya Wayahudi wote.
he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
14
Kwa maana wewe ukinyamaza kabisa wakati huu, ndipo kutakapowatokea Wayahudi msaada na wokovu kwa njia nyingine; ila wewe utaangamia pamoja na mlango wote wa baba yako; walakini ni nani ajuaye kama wewe hukuujia ufalme kwa ajili ya wakati kama huo?
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15
Basi Esta akawatuma ili wamjibu Mordekai,
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16
Uende ukawakusanye Wayahudi wote waliopo hapa Shushani, mkafunge kwa ajili yangu; msile wala kunywa muda wa siku tatu, usiku wala mchana, nami na wajakazi wangu tutafunga vile vile; kisha nitaingia kwa mfalme, kinyume cha sheria; nami nikiangamia, na niangamie.
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
17
Basi Mordekai akaenda zake, akafanya yote kama vile Esta alivyomwagiza.
So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.