1 Mafumu 8

1 Pamenepo Mfumu Solomoni inasonkhanitsa akuluakulu a Israeli, atsogoleri onse a mafuko ndi akuluakulu a mabanja a Aisraeli mu Yerusalemu, kuti akatenge Bokosi la Chipangano la Yehova ku Ziyoni, Mzinda wa Davide.

Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem all the elders of Israel, all the leaders of the tribes, and the leaders of the clans. He wanted them to join in bringing Yahweh’s Sacred Chest from Zion [Hill to the temple], where it was in the part of the city called ‘The City of David’.

2 Aisraeli onse anasonkhana pamaso pa Mfumu Solomoni nthawi ya chikondwerero cha mwezi wa Etanimu, mwezi wachisanu ndi chiwiri.

So all the Israeli leaders came to King Solomon during the Festival of [Living in Temporary] Shelters, in October.

3 Akuluakulu onse a Israeli atafika, ansembe ananyamula Bokosi la Chipangano,

When they had all arrived, the priests lifted up the Sacred Chest

4 ndipo anabwera nalo Bokosi la Yehova pamodzi ndi tenti ya msonkhano ndi ziwiya zonse zopatulika zimene zinali mʼmenemo. Ansembe ndi Alevi ndiye anazinyamula,

and brought it to the temple. The descendants of Levi [who assisted the priests] helped them to carry to the temple the Sacred Tent and all the sacred things that had been in the tent.

5 ndipo Mfumu Solomoni ndi gulu lonse la Aisraeli amene anasonkhana naye anali patsogolo pa Bokosi la Chipangano, akupereka nsembe nkhosa zambiri ndi ngʼombe zambiri zosawerengeka.

Then King Solomon and many of the Israeli people who had gathered in front of Yahweh’s Sacred Chest sacrificed a huge amount of sheep and oxen. No one was able to count the sacrifices [because there were so many].

6 Ansembe anafika nalo Bokosi la Chipangano la Yehova mʼchipinda chamʼkati mwenimweni, Malo Opatulika Kwambiri, ndipo analiyika pansi pa mapiko a akerubi.

The the priests then brought the Sacred Chest into the Very Holy Place in the temple, and they placed it under the wings of the [statues of the] winged creatures.

7 Akerubiwo anatambalitsa mapiko awo pamwamba pa Bokosi la Chipangano ndipo anaphimba bokosilo pamodzi ndi mitengo yonyamulira.

The wings of those statues spread out over the Sacred Chest and over the poles by which it was carried.

8 Mitengoyi inali yayitali kwambiri ndipo inkaonekera kunja kwa chipinda chamʼkati cha Malo Opatulika koma osati kunja kwa Malo Opatulikawo; ndipo mitengoyi ilipo mpaka lero lino.

The poles were so long that the ends of the poles could be seen [by people who were standing] at the entrance to the Most Holy Place, but they could not be seen [by people standing] outside the temple. Those poles are still there.

9 Mʼbokosimo munalibe kanthu kena kalikonse kupatula miyala iwiri imene Mose anayikamo ku Horebu, kumene Yehova anachita pangano ndi Aisraeli atatuluka mʼdziko la Igupto.

The only things that were in the Sacred Chest were the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Sinai [Mountain], where Yahweh made an agreement with the people after they left Egypt.

10 Ansembe atatuluka mʼMalo Opatulikawo, mtambo unadzaza Nyumba ya Yehova.

When the priests came out of the temple, [suddenly] it was filled with a cloud.

11 Ndipo ansembewo sanathe kugwira ntchito yawo chifukwa cha mtambowo, pakuti ulemerero wa Yehova unadzaza mʼNyumba ya Yehova.

It was the glory/radiance of Yahweh that filled the temple, with the result that the priests were not able to continue their work.

12 Pamenepo Solomoni anati, “Yehova anati adzakhala mʼmitambo yakuda;

Then Solomon prayed this: “Yahweh, you have placed the sun in the sky, but you have decided that you would live in very dark [clouds].

13 taonani ndithu, ine ndakumangirani Nyumba yokongola kwambiri, malo woti muzikhalamo mpaka muyaya.”

I have built for you a magnificent temple, a place for you to live in forever.”

14 Aisraeli onse ali chiyimire pomwepo, mfumu inatembenuka ndi kuwadalitsa.

Then, while all the people stood there, the king turned around and faced them, and he [asked God to] bless them.

15 Ndipo inati: “Atamandike Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, amene wachita ndi dzanja lake zimene analonjeza ndi pakamwa pake kwa Davide abambo anga. Pakuti Iye anati,

He said, “Praise Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis belong! By his own power he has done what he promised to give to my father David. What he promised was this:

16 ‘Kuyambira tsiku limene ndinatulutsa anthu anga Aisraeli ku Igupto, sindinasankhe mzinda wina uliwonse pa fuko lina lililonse la Aisraeli kuti kumeneko andimangire Nyumba, koma ndasankha Davide kuti alamulire anthu anga Aisraeli.’

‘From the time that I brought my people out of Egypt, I have never chosen any city in Israel in which a temple should be built for my people to worship me there. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.”

17 “Abambo anga Davide anali ndi maganizo mu mtima mwawo oti amangire nyumba Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli.

[Then Solomon said], “My father David wanted to build a temple in order that we Israeli people could worship Yahweh our God there.

18 Koma Yehova ananena kwa abambo anga, Davide, kuti, ‘Popeza zinali mu mtima mwako kumangira nyumba Dzina langa, unachita bwino kukhala ndi maganizo amenewa mu mtima mwakomo.

But Yahweh said to him, ‘You have wanted to build a temple for me, and what you wanted to do was good.

19 Komatu, si iwe amene udzamanga Nyumba ya Mulungu, koma mwana wako, mwana amene iwe udzabereke. Iyeyo ndiye adzandimangire Nyumba.’

However, you are not the one [who I want] to build it. It is one of your sons, who [I want to] build a temple for me.’

20 “Yehova wasunga zimene analonjeza: ine ndalowa mʼmalo mwa abambo anga Davide ndipo tsopano ndili pa mpando waufumu wa Israeli, monga momwe Yehova analonjezera, ndipo ndamangira nyumba Dzina la Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli.

And now Yahweh has done what he promised to do. I have become the king of Israel to succeed my father, and I am ruling my people, like Yahweh promised. I have [arranged for] this temple [to be] built for us Israelis to worship Yahweh, the God, to whom we Israelis belong.

21 Ndalikonzera malo Bokosi la Chipangano mmene muli pangano la Yehova limene anapangana ndi makolo athu pamene anawatulutsa mʼdziko la Igupto.”

I have also provided a place [in the temple] for the Sacred Chest in which are the two stone tablets [on which are engraved the Ten Commandments of] the agreement that Yahweh made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”

22 Pamenepo Solomoni anayimirira patsogolo pa guwa lansembe la Yehova pamaso pa gulu lonse la Aisraeli ndipo anakweza manja ake kumwamba,

Then Solomon stood in front of the altar which was facing the Israeli people who had gathered there. He spread out his arms toward heaven,

23 nati: “Inu Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, palibe Mulungu wofanana nanu kumwamba kapena pansi pa dziko, inu amene mumasunga pangano ndi kuonetsa chikondi chosasinthika kwa atumiki anu amene amayenda pamaso panu ndi mtima wawo wonse.

and he prayed, “Yahweh, the God whom we Israeli people [belong to/worship], there is no god like you up in heaven or down here on the earth. You solemnly promised that you would faithfully love us. And that is what you have done for us who earnestly do what you want us to do.

24 Inu mwasunga lonjezo lanu kwa abambo anga Davide, mtumiki wanu. Inde zimene munalonjeza ndi pakamwa panu, mwazikwaniritsa ndi manja anu, monga mmene tikuonera lero lino.

You have done the things that you promised my father David, who served you [very well], that you would do. Truly, you promised to do these things for him, and today we see that by your power you have done them.

25 “Ndipo tsopano, Inu Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, sungani zimene munalonjeza kwa abambo anga Davide, mtumiki wanu, pamene munati, ‘Sudzasowa munthu wokhala pamaso panga pa mpando waufumu wa Israeli, ngati ana ako adzasamalira mayendedwe awo mokhulupirika monga iwe wachitira.’

So now, Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis [belong to/worship], please do the things that you promised my father that you would do. You told him that there would always be some of his descendants who would rule Israel, if they would conduct their lives as he did.

26 Ndipo tsopano, Inu Mulungu wa Israeli, lolani kuti mawu anu akwaniritsidwe amene munalonjeza mtumiki wanu Davide abambo anga.

So now, God of us Israeli people, cause what you promised to do for my father David, who served you [well], to happen.

27 “Kodi Mulungu angakhaledi pa dziko lapansi? Mlengalenga ngakhale kumwamba kwenikweni, sikungakukwaneni. Nanga kuli bwanji ndi Nyumba iyi imene ndamanga!

But God, you cannot really live on the earth. There is surely not enough space for you in the sky, or even in the heaven. So there is surely not enough space for you to live in this temple that my workers have built.

28 Koma Inu Yehova Mulungu wanga, imvani pemphero ndi pembedzero la mtumiki wanu. Imvani kulira ndi pemphero la mtumiki wanu limene ndikupempha pamaso panu lero lino.

But Yahweh, my God, please listen to me while I am praying to you this day,

29 Maso anu azikhala otsekuka kuyangʼana Nyumba ino usiku ndi usana, malo ano amene Inu munanena kuti, ‘Dzina langa lidzakhala mʼmenemo,’ choncho imvani pemphero limene mtumiki wanu akupemphera akuyangʼana malo ano.

Please keep protecting this temple night and day. This is the place about which you have said, ‘I will always be there.’ I request that you listen to me whenever I turn toward this temple and pray.

30 Imvani pembedzero la mtumiki wanu ndi la anthu anu Aisraeli pamene akupemphera akuyangʼana malo ano. Imvani kumwambako, malo anu amene mumakhala; ndipo mukamva muzitikhululukira.

I request that when I pray to you and your people pray to you while they turn toward this place, that in your home in heaven you will hear us and forgive us [for the sins that we have committed].

31 “Munthu akalakwira mnzake, nawuzidwa kuti alumbire, akabwera kudzalumbira patsogolo pa guwa lansembe la Nyumba ino,

If someone is accused of doing something wrong to another person, and they bring him to your altar outside this holy temple, and if he says, ‘I did not do that; may God punish me if I am not telling the truth,’

32 imvani kumwambako ndi kuchitapo kanthu. Weruzani atumiki anuwo, wochimwa mugamule kuti ndi wolakwa ndipo alangidwe chifukwa cha zimene wachita. Wosachimwa mugamule kuti ndi wosalakwa, ndipo muonetse kusalakwa kwakeko.

then you listen from heaven, and decide who is telling the truth. Then punish the person who is guilty as he deserves to be punished, and declare that the other person is innocent.

33 “Anthu anu Aisraeli akagonja kwa adani awo chifukwa akuchimwirani, ndipo akatembenukira kwa Inu ndi kuvomereza Dzina lanu, kupemphera ndi kupembedzera kwa Inu mʼNyumba ino,

And when your Israeli people are defeated by their enemies [in a battle] because they have sinned against you, [and if they are forced to go to some distant country, ] if they turn away from their sinful behavior and turn toward this temple and admit that you [have justly punished them], and if they plead [that you will forgive them],

34 pamenepo imvani kumwambako ndi kukhululukira tchimo la anthu anu Aisraeli ndi kuwabweretsa ku dziko limene munawapatsa makolo awo.

listen to them from heaven, and forgive your Israeli people for the sins that they [have committed], and bring them back to this land that you gave to our ancestors.

35 “Pamene kumwamba kwatsekeka ndipo mvula sikugwa chifukwa anthu anu akuchimwirani, ndipo pamene apemphera akuyangʼana malo ano ndi kuvomereza Dzina lanu, ndi kutembenuka kuchoka ku machimo awo chifukwa inu mwawalanga,

And when you do not allow any rain to fall on the land because your people have sinned against you, if they turn toward this temple and admit that you [have justly punished them], if they turn away from their sinful behavior and [humbly] pray to you,

36 pamenepo imvani kumwambako ndipo muwakhululukire atumiki anu, anthu anu Aisraeli. Aphunzitseni makhalidwe oyenera ndipo gwetsani mvula mʼdziko limene munapereka kwa anthu anu monga cholowa chawo.

listen to them from heaven, and forgive your Israeli people for the sins [that they have committed]. Teach them the right way to conduct their lives. Then send rain on this land that you have given to your people to belong to them [permanently].

37 “Pamene mʼdziko mwagwa njala kapena mliri, chinoni kapena chiwawu, dzombe kapena kapuchi, kapena pamene mdani wazungulira mzinda wawo wina uliwonse, kaya mavuto kapena matenda abwera,

And when the people of this land experience famines, or if there is a plague/illness that causes many people to become sick, or if [their crops are destroyed by] very hot winds or [by] mildew or [by] locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemies surround any of their cities [in order to attack them], if any of those bad things happen to them,

38 ndipo wina aliyense mwa Aisraeli akapemphera kapena kukudandaulirani, aliyense wa iwo akadziwa masautso a mu mtima mwake ndi kukweza manja awo kuloza Nyumba ino,

when your Israeli people earnestly plead with you knowing that they are suffering because they [have sinned], and if they stretch out their arms toward this temple and pray,

39 pamenepo imvani kumwambako, malo anu wokhalamo. Khululukani ndipo chitanipo kanthu. Muchitire aliyense molingana ndi zonse zimene anachita, popeza inu mumadziwa mtima wake (pakuti ndinu nokha amene mumadziwa mitima ya anthu onse),

listen to them from your home in heaven, and forgive them, and help them. You are the only one who knows what people are thinking, so act toward everyone as they deserve,

40 motero iwo adzakuopani masiku onse amene adzakhale mʼdziko limene munalipereka kwa makolo athu.

in order that your people may then have an awesome respect for you, all the years that they live in this land that you gave to our ancestors.

41 “Ndipo kunena za mlendo amene si mmodzi wa anthu anu Aisraeli, koma wabwera kuchokera ku dziko lakutali chifukwa cha dzina lanu,

There will be some foreigners who do not belong to your Israeli people who have come here from countries far away because they have heard that you are very great and that you perform great miracles. If they come here to this temple to worship you and pray,

42 pakuti anthu adzamva za dzina lanu lotchukali ndiponso za dzanja lanu lamphamvu ndi lochita zazikulu, kudzapemphera akuyangʼana Nyumba ino,

43 pamenepo imvani kumwambako, malo anu okhalamo, ndipo muchite zonse zimene mlendoyo akukupemphani, kotero kuti anthu onse a dziko lapansi adziwe dzina lanu ndi kukuopani monga amachitira anthu anu Aisraeli, ndipo adziwe kuti Nyumba ino imene ndakumangirani imadziwika ndi Dzina lanu.

in your home in heaven, listen to their prayers, and do for them what they request you to do. Do that so that all the people-groups in the world will know about you and revere you, like we your Israeli people do. And then they will know that this temple that I have [caused to be] built to honor you, is where you [should be worshiped].

44 “Pamene anthu anu apita ku nkhondo kukamenyana ndi adani awo, kulikonse kumene mungawatume, ndipo pamene apemphera kwa Yehova moyangʼana mzinda umene mwausankha ndi Nyumba imene ine ndamangira Dzina lanu,

And if you send your people to go to fight against their enemies, if they pray to you, wherever they are, if they turn toward this city that you have chosen and toward this temple that I have caused to be built for you,

45 imvani kumwambako pemphero lawo ndi kudandaula kwawo, ndipo apambanitseni.

listen in heaven to their prayers; listen to what they plead for you to do, and assist them.

46 “Pamene akuchimwirani, popeza palibe munthu amene sachimwa, ndipo Inu nʼkuwakwiyira ndi kuwapereka kwa mdani, amene adzawatenga ukapolo kupita ku dziko lake, kutali kapena pafupi;

[It is true that] everyone sins. So, if your people sin against you, and you become angry with them, you may allow their enemies to defeat them and capture them and take them away to their enemies’ country, even to countries that are far away.

47 ndipo ngati asintha maganizo ali ku dziko la ukapololo ndi kulapa ndi kukudandaulirani mʼdziko la owagonjetsa ndi kunena kuti, ‘Ife tachimwa, tachita zolakwa, tachita zinthu zoyipa,’

If that happens, while they are in those countries to which they were forced to go, if they sincerely repent and plead with you there saying ‘We have sinned and have done things that are very wicked,’

48 ndipo ngati abwerera kwa Inu ndi mtima wawo wonse ndi moyo wawo wonse mʼdziko la adani awo amene anawatenga ukapolo, ndi kupemphera kwa Inu moyangʼana dziko limene munapereka kwa makolo awo, moyangʼana mzinda umene munawusankha ndiponso Nyumba imene ine ndamangira Dzina lanu,

if they very sincerely repent, and turn toward this land that you gave to our ancestors, and toward this city that you have chosen [to be the place where we should worship you], and toward this temple that I have [caused to be] built for you, and if they pray,

49 imvani kumwambako, malo anu wokhalamo, imvani pemphero lawo ndi kudandaula kwawo, ndipo muwachitire zabwino.

then from your home in heaven listen to them while they plead [for your help], and assist them.

50 Ndipo khululukirani anthu anu amene akuchimwirani. Khululukirani zolakwa zonse akuchitirani ndipo mufewetse mitima ya amene anawagonjetsawo kuti awachitire chifundo;

Forgive them for all the sins that they [have committed] against you, and cause their enemies to be kind to them.

51 popeza ndi anthu anu ndiponso cholowa chanu, anthu omwe munawatulutsa ku Igupto, kuwachotsa mʼngʼanjo yamoto yosungunula zitsulo.

Do not forget that the Israelis are your people; they are your special possession; you brought [our ancestors] out of Egypt where [they were greatly suffering as though] they were in a blazing furnace.

52 “Maso anu atsekuke kuti aone dandawulo la mtumiki wanu ndiponso madandawulo a anthu anu Aisraeli, ndipo mutchere khutu nthawi iliyonse pamene akulirirani.

I request that you always listen to your Israeli people and to me, their king, and heed their prayers whenever they call out to you [to help them].

53 Pakuti Inu munawasiyanitsa ndi anthu a mitundu ina yonse ya dziko lonse kuti akhale cholowa chanu, monga momwe munanenera kudzera mwa mtumiki wanu Mose pamene Inu, Ambuye Yehova, munatulutsa makolo athu ku Igupto.”

You chose them from all the other people-groups in the world to belong to you, which is what you told Moses to tell them when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”

54 Solomoni atamaliza mapemphero ndi mapembedzero onsewa kwa Yehova, anayimirira pa guwa lansembe la Yehova, nagwada atakweza manja ake kumwamba.

After Solomon had finished praying and pleading to Yahweh [for his help], he stood up in front of the altar where he had been kneeling. He lifted up his arms.

55 Anayimirira ndi kudalitsa gulu lonse la Aisraeli ndi mawu okweza, nati:

Then he [asked God to] bless all the Israeli people. [He prayed] loudly, saying,

56 “Atamandike Yehova, amene wapereka mpumulo kwa anthu ake Aisraeli monga momwe analonjezera. Palibe mawu ndi amodzi omwe amene anapita pachabe pa malonjezo ake onse abwino amene anawapereka kudzera mwa mtumiki wake Mose.

“Praise Yahweh, who has given us his people peace, like he promised that he would do. He has done every one of the good things that he promised to Moses, the man who served him [very well].

57 Yehova Mulungu wathu akhale nafe monga momwe anakhalira ndi makolo athu; asatisiye kapena kutitaya.

I pray that our God will be with us like he was with our ancestors, and that he will never abandon us.

58 Atembenuzire mitima yathu kwa Iye, kuti tiyende mʼnjira zake zonse ndi kusunga mawu ake, malamulo ake ndi malangizo ake amene anapereka kwa makolo athu.

I pray that he will cause us to loyally serve him, to conduct our lives as he wants us to, and to obey all his commandments and statutes and laws that he gave to our ancestors.

59 Ndipo mawu angawa, amene ndapemphera pamaso pa Yehova, asayiwalike pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wathu usana ndi usiku, ndipo Iye alimbikitse mtumiki wake ndiponso athandize Aisraeli, anthu ake powapatsa zosowa zawo za tsiku ndi tsiku,

I pray that Yahweh our God will never forget these words that I have prayed, pleading for his help; I pray that he will think about them by day and by night. I pray that he will always help [us] Israeli people and me, giving us the things that we need day by day.

60 kotero kuti anthu a mitundu yonse pa dziko lapansi adziwe kuti Yehova ndi Mulungu ndipo kuti palibenso wina.

If he does that, all the people-groups in the world will know that he is the only one who is God, and that there is no other one who is God.

61 Koma mitima yanu ikhale yodzipereka kwathunthu kwa Yehova Mulungu wanu, kutsatira malamulo ake ndi kumvera malangizo ake, monga lero lino.”

I pray that you, [his people, ] will always be fully committed to Yahweh, and that you will obey all his statutes and commands, like you are doing now.”

62 Ndipo mfumu pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse anapereka nsembe pamaso pa Yehova.

Then the king and all the Israeli people who were there offered sacrifices to Yahweh.

63 Solomoni anapereka nsembe zachiyanjano kwa Yehova: ngʼombe 22,000, nkhosa ndi mbuzi 120,000. Motero mfumu pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse anapatula Nyumba ya Yehova.

They sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep to maintain fellowship with Yahweh. Then the king and all the people dedicated the temple.

64 Tsiku lomwelo mfumu inapatulanso malo a pakati pa bwalo limene linali kutsogolo kwa Nyumba ya Yehova ndiponso nthuli za mafuta za nsembe yachiyanjano, chifukwa guwa lansembe la mkuwa limene linali pamaso pa Yehova linali lochepa kwambiri ndipo nsembe zonse zopsereza, nsembe zachakudya, ndi nthuli za mafuta a nsembe zachiyanjano sizikanakwanirapo.

On that day, the king also dedicated/set apart the middle part of the courtyard that was in front of the temple. Then he offered sacrifices that would be completely burned [in the courtyard], the offerings of grain and the fat of the animals that were sacrificed to maintain fellowship with Yahweh. They sacrificed them there because the bronze altar was not big enough for all those sacrifices to be burned on it [that day].

65 Choncho nthawi imeneyi, Solomoni anachita chikondwerero pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse. Unali msonkhano waukulu, kuyambira ku Lebo Hamati mpaka ku Chigwa cha ku Igupto. Anachita chikondwerero chimenechi pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wathu kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri, anawonjezerapo masiku ena asanu ndi awiri, onse pamodzi ngati masiku 14.

Then Solomon and all the Israeli people celebrated the Festival of [Living in Temporary] Shelters for seven days. There was a huge crowd of people there, some of whom had come from [distant places like] Hamath [in the far north] and the border of Egypt [in the far south].

66 Pa tsiku lachisanu ndi chitatu Solomoni anawuza anthu kuti apite kwawo. Anthuwo anathokoza mfumu ndipo kenaka anapita kwawo mokondwa ndi mosangalala mʼmitima mwawo chifukwa cha zinthu zabwino zimene Yehova anachitira mtumiki wake Davide ndi anthu ake Aisraeli.

On the eighth day, Solomon sent the people to their homes. They all praised him and went home happy because of all the things that Yahweh had done to bless [King] David and his Israeli people.