1
Lisikieni neno la Bwana, enyi wana wa Israeli; kwa maana Bwana ana mateto nao wakaao katika nchi, kwa sababu hapana kweli, wala fadhili, wala kumjua Mungu katika nchi.
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
2
Hapana neno ila kuapa kwa uongo, na kuvunja ahadi, na kuua, na kuiba, na kuzini; huruka mpaka, na damu hugusana na damu.
Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.
3
Kwa ajili ya hayo nchi itaomboleza, na kila mtu akaaye ndani yake atadhoofika, pamoja na wanyama wa kondeni na ndege wa angani; naam, samaki wa baharini pia wataondolewa.
Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.
4
Walakini asishindane mtu, wala mtu asikemee; maana watu wako ni kama wao washindanao na kuhani.
But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
5
Na wewe utajikwaa wakati wa mchana, na nabii naye atajikwaa pamoja nawe wakati wa usiku; nami nitamwangamiza mama yako.
You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother—
6
Watu wangu wanaangamizwa kwa kukosa maarifa; kwa kuwa wewe umeyakataa maarifa, mimi nami nitakukataa wewe, usiwe kuhani kwangu mimi; kwa kuwa umeisahau sheria ya Mungu wako, mimi nami nitawasahau watoto wako.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
7
Kadiri walivyozidishwa, kwa kadiri iyo hiyo walinitenda dhambi; nami nitageuza utukufu wao kuwa aibu.
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.
8
Hujilisha dhambi ya watu wangu, hujifurahisha moyo kwa uovu wao.
They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.
9
Hata itakuwa, kama walivyo watu, ndivyo atakavyokuwa kuhani; nami nitawaadhibu kwa ajili ya njia zao, na kuwalipa kwa matendo yao.
And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10
Nao watakula, lakini hawatashiba; watafanya zinaa, lakini hawataongezeka; kwa sababu wameacha kumwangalia Bwana.
They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD to give themselves
11
Uzinzi na divai na divai mpya huondoa fahamu za wanadamu.
to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.
12
Watu wangu hutaka shauri kwa gongo lao, na fimbo yao huwahubiri mambo; maana roho ya uzinzi imewakosesha, nao wamekwenda kuzini mbali na Mungu wao.
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.
13
Hutoa dhabihu juu ya vilele vya milima, na kufukiza uvumba juu ya vilima, chini ya mialoni na milibua na miela, kwa kuwa uvuli wake ni mwema; kwa sababu hiyo binti zenu huzini, na bibi arusi zenu hufanya uasherati.
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
14
Sitawaadhibu binti zenu wazinipo, wala bibi arusi zenu wafanyapo uasherati; maana wao wenyewe huenda kando pamoja na wanawake wazinzi, hutoa dhabihu pamoja na makahaba; na watu hawa wasiofahamu wataangamia.
I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.
15
Ingawa wewe, Israeli, unafanya uzinzi, lakini asiasi Yuda; nanyi msiende Gilgali wala msipande mpaka Beth-Aveni, wala msiape mkisema, Aishivyo Bwana.
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
16
Kwa maana Israeli ametenda kwa ukaidi, kama ndama mkaidi; sasa je! Bwana atawalisha kama mwana-kondoo katika mahali penye nafasi!
For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?
17
Efraimu amejiungamanisha na sanamu; mwache.
Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
18
Kileo chao kimegeuka kuwa uchungu; huzini daima; wakuu wake hupenda aibu.
When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
19
Upepo umemfunikiza kwa mbawa zake; nao watatahayarika kwa sababu ya dhabihu zao.
The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.