1
Lakini yeye aliyekuwa katika dhiki hatakosa changamko. Hapo kwanza aliiingiza nchi ya Zabuloni na nchi ya Naftali katika hali ya kudharauliwa, lakini zamani za mwisho ameifanya kuwa tukufu, karibu na njia ya bahari; ng'ambo ya Yordani, Galilaya ya mataifa.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
2
Watu wale waliokwenda katika giza Wameona nuru kuu; Wale waliokaa katika nchi ya uvuli wa mauti, Nuru imewaangaza.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
3
Umeliongeza taifa, umezidisha furaha yao; Wanafurahi mbele zako, Kama furaha ya wakati wa mavuno, Kama watu wafurahivyo wagawanyapo nyara.
You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.
4
Kwa maana umeivunja nira ya mzigo wake, na gongo la bega lake, na fimbo yake yeye aliyemwonea, kama katika siku ya Midiani.
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.
5
Maana silaha zote za mtu mwenye silaha wakati wa mshindo, na mavazi yaliyofingirishwa katika damu, yatakuwa tayari kuteketezwa, yatakuwa kuni za kutiwa motoni.
For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6
Maana kwa ajili yetu mtoto amezaliwa, Tumepewa mtoto mwanamume; Na uweza wa kifalme utakuwa begani mwake; Naye ataitwa jina lake, Mshauri wa ajabu, Mungu mwenye nguvu, Baba wa milele, Mfalme wa amani.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7
Maongeo ya enzi yake na amani Hayatakuwa na mwisho kamwe, Katika kiti cha enzi cha Daudi na ufalme wake; Kuuthibitisha na kuutegemeza Kwa hukumu na kwa haki, Tangu sasa na hata milele. Wivu wa Bwana wa majeshi ndio utakaotenda hayo.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
8
Bwana alimpelekea Yakobo neno, likamfikilia Israeli.
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel.
9
Nao watu wote watajua, yaani, Efraimu na yeye akaaye Samaria, wasemao kwa kiburi na kwa kujisifu nafsi zao,
All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say:
10
Matofali yameanguka, lakini sisi tutajenga kwa mawe yaliyochongwa; mikuyu imekatwa lakini sisi tutaweka mierezi badala yake.
“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
11
Kwa sababu hiyo Bwana atawainua adui wa Resini juu yake, naye atawachochea adui zake;
The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.
12
Waashuri upande wa mbele, na Wafilisti upande wa nyuma, nao watamla Israeli kwa kinywa kilicho wazi. Pamoja na hayo yote hasira yake haikugeukia mbali, lakini mkono wake umenyoshwa hata sasa.
Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
13
Lakini watu hao hawakumwelekea yeye aliyewapiga, wala kumtafuta Bwana wa majeshi.
But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
14
Kwa sababu hiyo Bwana atakata katika Israeli kichwa na mkia, kuti na nyasi, katika siku moja.
So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.
15
Mzee mwenye kuheshimiwa ndiye kichwa, na nabii afundishaye uongo ndiye mkia.
The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
16
Kwa maana wawaongozao watu hawa ndio wawakoseshao, na hao walioongozwa na watu hao wameangamia.
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
17
Kwa sababu hiyo Bwana hatawafurahia vijana wao, wala hatawahurumia yatima zao wala wajane wao; maana kila mtu ni mnajisi, dhalimu, na kila ulimi hunena upumbavu. Pamoja na hayo yote hasira yake haikugeukia mbali, lakini mkono wake umenyoshwa hata sasa.
Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
18
Kwa maana uovu huteketeza kama moto; huila mibigili na miiba, naam, huwaka katika vichaka vya mwitu, nao hupaa juu katika mawingu mazito ya moshi.
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets, which roll upward in billows of smoke.
19
Kwa sababu ya hasira ya Bwana wa majeshi nchi hii inateketea kabisa; watu hawa nao ni kama kuni zitiwazo motoni; hapana mtu amhurumiaye ndugu yake.
By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother.
20
Hupokonya upande wa mkono wa kuume, nao huona njaa! Hula upande wa mkono wa kushoto, wala hawashibi! Watakula kila mtu nyama ya mkono wake mwenyewe.
They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.
21
Manase anamla Efraimu, naye Efraimu anamla Manase; nao wawili pamoja watakuwa juu ya Yuda. Pamoja na hayo yote hasira yake haikugeukia mbali, lakini mkono wake umenyoshwa hata sasa.
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.