1
Israeli alipokuwa mtoto, nalikuwa nikimpenda, nikamwita mwanangu atoke Misri.
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
2
Kadiri walivyowaita ndivyo walivyoondoka na kuwaacha; waliwatolea dhabihu Mabaali, na kuzifukizia uvumba sanamu za kuchonga.
But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
3
Lakini nalimfundisha Efraimu kwenda kwa miguu; naliwachukua mikononi mwangu; hawakujua ya kuwa naliwaponya.
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.
4
Naliwavuta kwa kamba za kibinadamu, kwa mafungo ya upendo; nami nalikuwa kwao kama hao waondoao kongwa tayani mwao, nikaandika chakula mbele yao.
I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.
5
Hatarudi tena nchi ya Misri; bali huyo Mwashuri atakuwa mfalme wake; kwa sababu walikataa kurejea.
Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?
6
Na upanga utaiangukia miji yake, utayaharibu makomeo yake na kuyala, kwa sababu ya mashauri yao wenyewe.
A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.
7
Na watu wangu wamejipinda kuniacha; ingawa wawaita kwenda kwake Aliye juu, hapana hata mmoja atakayemtukuza.
My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.
8
Niwezeje kukuacha, Efraimu? Niwezeje kukuponya, Israeli? Niwezeje kukufanya kama Adma? Niwezeje kukuweka kama Seboimu ? Moyo wangu umegeuka ndani yangu, huruma zangu zimewaka pamoja.
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!
9
Sitatumia ukali wa hasira yangu, sitarudi kumwangamiza Efraimu; kwa maana mimi ni Mungu, si mwanadamu mimi; mimi ndiye aliye Mtakatifu katikati yenu; wala sitaingia ndani ya mji.
I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath.
10
Watakwenda kumfuata Bwana, atakayenguruma kama simba; kwa maana atanguruma, nao watoto watakuja kutoka magharibi wakitetemeka.
They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.
11
Watakuja wakitetemeka kama shomoro, toka Misri, na kama hua, toka nchi ya Ashuru; nami nitawakalisha katika nyumba zao, asema Bwana.
They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.
12
Efraimu amenizinga kwa maneno ya uongo, na nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu; na Yuda hata sasa anasita-sita kwa Mungu, na kwake aliye Mtakatifu, naye ni mwaminifu.
Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.