1
Mwombeni Bwana mvua wakati wa masika, naam, Bwana afanyaye umeme, naye atawapa manyunyu ya mvua, kila mtu atapewa nyasi kondeni.
Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.
2
Kwa maana vinyago vimenena maneno ya ubatili, nao waaguzi wameona uongo; nao wameleta habari za ndoto za uongo, wafariji bure; kwa sababu hiyo waenda zao kama kondoo, wateswa, kwa sababu hapana mchungaji.
For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.
3
Hasira yangu imewaka juu ya wachungaji, nami nitawaadhibu mbuzi waume; kwa maana Bwana wa majeshi ameliangalia kundi lake, yaani, nyumba ya Yuda, naye atawafanya kuwa kama farasi wake mzuri vitani.
“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.
4
Kwake yeye litatoka lile jiwe la pembeni, kwake yeye utatoka msumari, kwake yeye utatoka upinde wa vita, kwake yeye atatoka kila mtawala pamoja.
The cornerstone will come from Judah, the tent peg from him, as well as the battle bow and every ruler together.
5
Nao watakuwa kama mashujaa, wakanyagao adui zao katika matope ya njia vitani; nao watapiga vita, kwa sababu Bwana yu pamoja nao; na hao wapandao farasi watafadhaishwa.
They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
6
Nami nitaitia nguvu nyumba ya Yuda, nami nitaiokoa nyumba ya Yusufu, nami nitawarudisha, kwa maana nawaonea rehema; nao watakuwa kana kwamba sikuwatupa; kwa maana mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wao, nami nitawasikia.
I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.
7
Na watu wa Efraimu watakuwa kama shujaa, na moyo wao utafurahi kana kwamba ni kwa divai; naam, watoto wao wataona mambo haya, na kufurahi; mioyo yao itamfurahia Bwana.
Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.
8
Nitawapigia kelele, na kuwakusanya pamoja; kwa maana nimewakomboa; nao wataongezeka kama walivyoongezeka.
I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were.
9
Nami nitawapanda kama mbegu kati ya mataifa; nao watanikumbuka katika nchi zilizo mbali; nao watakaa pamoja na watoto wao; tena watarudi.
Though I sow them among the nations, they will remember Me in distant lands; they and their children will live and return.
10
Tena nitawarudisha toka nchi ya Misri, nitawakusanya na kuwatoa katika Ashuru; nami nitawaingiza katika nchi ya Gileadi na Lebanoni; ila nafasi ya kuwatosha haitaonekana.
I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon until no more room is found for them.
11
Naye atapita kati ya bahari ya mateso, na kuyapiga mawimbi ya bahari, na vilindi vyote vya mto wa Nile vitakauka; na kiburi cha Ashuru kitashushwa; na fimbo ya enzi ya Misri itatoweka.
They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12
Nami nitawatia nguvu katika Bwana; nao watatembea huko na huko katika jina lake, asema Bwana.
I will strengthen them in the LORD, and in His name they will walk,” declares the LORD.