1
Tena uwaombolezee wakuu wa Israeli,
“As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel
2
useme, Mama yako alikuwa nini? Simba mke; alijilaza kati ya simba, kati ya wana-simba aliwalisha watoto wake.
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
3
Akamlea mtoto mmoja katika watoto wake, akawa mwana-simba, akajifunza kuwinda mawindo, akala watu.
She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
4
Mataifa nao wakapata habari zake, akanaswa katika rima lao, wakamchukua kwa kulabu mpaka nchi ya Misri.
When the nations heard of him, he was trapped in their pit. With hooks they led him away to the land of Egypt.
5
Basi mamaye alipoona kwamba amemngoja, na tumaini lake limepotea, akatwaa mtoto mwingine katika watoto wake, akamfanya mwana-simba.
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.
6
Naye akaenda huko na huko kati ya simba, akawa mwana-simba, akajifunza kuwinda mawindo, akala watu.
He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
7
Akayajua majumba yao, akaiharibu miji yao; nchi ikawa ukiwa, navyo vitu vilivyoijaza, kwa sababu ya mshindo wa kunguruma kwake.
He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.
8
Ndipo mataifa wakajipanga juu yake pande zote toka nchi zote; wakaunda wavu wao juu yake; akanaswa katika rima lao.
Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit.
9
Wakamtia katika tundu kwa kulabu, wakamleta kwa mfalme wa Babeli wakamtia ndani ya ngome, sauti yake isisikiwe tena juu ya milima ya Israeli.
With hooks they caged him and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into captivity so that his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.
10
Mama yako alikuwa kama mzabibu, katika damu yako, uliopandwa karibu na maji; akazaa sana na kujaa matawi, kwa sababu ya maji mengi.
Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.
11
Naye alikuwa na vijiti vya nguvu, kwa fimbo za enzi zao watawalao, na kimo chao kiliinuka kati ya matawi manene, wakaonekana kwa urefu wao, pamoja na wingi wa matawi yao.
It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage.
12
Lakini aling'olewa kwa ghadhabu, akaangushwa chini, upepo wa mashariki ukakausha matunda yake; vijiti vyake vya nguvu vikavunjika, vikakauka; moto ulivila.
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.
13
Na sasa umepandwa jangwani, katika nchi kavu, ya ukame.
Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.
14
Na moto umetoka katika vijiti vya matawi yake, umekula matunda yake, hata hana tena kijiti cha nguvu kifaacho kwa fimbo ya enzi ya kutawala. Na hayo ni maombolezo, nayo yatakuwa maombolezo.
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”