Ezekiel 20
1 In the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
Katika mwaka wa saba, mwezi wa tano siku ya kumi, baadhi ya wazee wa Israeli wakaja ili kutaka ushauri kwa Bwana, wakaketi mbele yangu.
2 The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
Ndipo neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.”’
“Mwanadamu, sema na wazee wa Israeli uwaambie, ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Kwa nini mmekuja? Je, ni kutaka ushauri kwangu? Hakika kama niishivyo, sitawaruhusu mtake ushauri toka kwangu, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.’
4 “Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.
“Je, utawahukumu? Je, mwanadamu, utawahukumu? Basi uwakabili kwa ajili ya machukizo ya baba zao
5 Tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, ‘I am the LORD your God;’
na uwaambie: ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Siku ile nilipochagua Israeli, niliwaapia wazao wa nyumba ya Yakobo kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nami nikajidhihirisha kwao huko Misri. Kwa mkono ulioinuliwa niliwaambia, “Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
6 in that day I swore to them to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
Siku ile niliwaapia wao kwamba nitawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta katika nchi niliyowachagulia, nchi itiririkayo maziwa na asali, nchi nzuri kupita zote.
7 I said to them, ‘Each of you throw away the abominations of his eyes. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’
Nami nikawaambia, “Kila mmoja wenu aondolee mbali sanamu za chukizo ambazo mmekazia macho, nanyi msijitie unajisi kwa sanamu za Misri. Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
8 “‘“But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me. They did not all throw away the abominations of their eyes. They also did not forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the middle of the land of Egypt.
“‘Lakini waliniasi na hawakunisikiliza, hawakuondolea mbali sanamu za machukizo ambazo walikuwa wamezikazia macho, wala kuondolea mbali sanamu za Misri. Ndipo nikasema, nitawamwagia ghadhabu yangu na kutimiza hasira yangu dhidi yao huko Misri.
9 But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Lakini kwa ajili ya Jina langu nilifanya kile ambacho kingelifanya lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa waliyoishi miongoni mwao na ambao machoni pao nilikuwa nimejifunua kwa Waisraeli kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
10 So I caused them to go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.
Kwa hiyo nikawaongoza watoke Misri na kuwaleta jangwani.
11 I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he will live in them.
Nikawapa amri zangu na kuwajulisha sheria zangu, kwa kuwa mtu anayezitii ataishi kwa hizo.
12 Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Pia niliwapa Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu nao, ili wapate kujua kuwa Mimi Bwana niliwafanya kuwa watakatifu.
13 “‘“But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keeps, he shall live in them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
“‘Lakini watu wa Israeli waliniasi Mimi jangwani. Hawakufuata amri zangu, bali walikataa sheria zangu, ingawa mtu yule anayezitii ataishi kwa hizo sheria, nao walizinajisi Sabato zangu kabisa. Hivyo nilisema ningemwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao na kuwaangamiza huko jangwani.
14 But I worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
Lakini kwa ajili ya Jina langu nikafanya kile ambacho kitalifanya Jina langu lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa ambao mbele yao nilikuwa nimewatoa Waisraeli.
15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands,
Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba nisingewaingiza katika nchi niliyokuwa nimewapa, yaani, nchi itiririkayo maziwa na asali, nchi nzuri kuliko zote,
16 because they rejected my ordinances, and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
kwa sababu walikataa sheria zangu na hawakufuata amri zangu na wakazinajisi Sabato zangu. Kwa kuwa mioyo yao iliandama sanamu zao.
17 Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them. I did not make a full end of them in the wilderness.
Lakini niliwahurumia wala sikuwaangamiza wala hakuwafuta kabisa jangwani.
18 I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers. Do not observe their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
Niliwaambia watoto wao kule jangwani, “Msifuate amri za baba zenu wala kushika sheria zao au kujinajisi kwa sanamu zao.
19 I am the LORD your God. Walk in my statutes, keep my ordinances, and do them.
Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu, fuateni amri zangu tena kuweni waangalifu kushika sheria zangu.
20 Make my Sabbaths holy. They shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
Zitakaseni Sabato zangu ili ziwe ishara kati yangu nanyi. Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
21 “‘“But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes, and did not keep my ordinances to do them, which if a man does, he shall live in them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
“‘Lakini watoto hao wakaniasi: Hawakufuata amri zangu, wala hawakuwa waangalifu kushika sheria zangu, ingawa mtu anayezitii anaishi kwa hizo sheria, nao wakazinajisi Sabato zangu. Hivyo nikasema ningemwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao na kutimiza hasira yangu dhidi yao huko jangwani.
22 Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and worked for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
Lakini nikauzuia mkono wangu na kwa ajili ya Jina langu nikafanya kile ambacho kingelifanya Jina langu lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa ambao mbele yao nilikuwa nimewatoa Waisraeli.
23 Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries,
Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba ningewatawanya miongoni mwa mataifa na kuwatawanya katika nchi mbalimbali,
24 because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.
kwa sababu hawakutii sheria zangu lakini walikuwa wamekataa amri zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu, nayo macho yao yakatamani sanamu za baba zao.
25 Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they could not live.
Pia niliwaacha wafuate amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri na sheria ambazo mtu hawezi kuishi kwa hizo sheria.
26 I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused all that opens the womb to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.”’
Nikawaacha wanajisiwe kwa matoleo yao, kuwatoa wazaliwa wao wa kwanza kafara kwa sanamu, yaani, kule kuwapitisha wazaliwa wao wa kwanza kwenye moto, nipate kuwajaza na hofu ili wajue kwamba Mimi ndimi Bwana.’
27 “Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Moreover, in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
“Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu, sema na watu wa Israeli na uwaambie, ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Katika hili pia, baba zenu walinikufuru kwa kuniacha mimi:
28 For when I had brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There they also made their pleasant aroma, and there they poured out their drink offerings.
Nilipowaleta katika nchi ile ambayo nilikuwa nimeapa kuwapa na kuona kilima chochote kirefu au mti wowote wenye majani mengi, huko walitoa dhabihu zao, wakatoa sadaka ambazo zilichochea hasira yangu, wakafukiza uvumba wenye harufu nzuri na kumimina sadaka zao za kinywaji.
29 Then I said to them, ‘What does the high place where you go mean?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’
Ndipo nikawaambia: Ni nini maana yake hapa mahali pa juu pa kuabudia miungu mnapopaendea?’” (Basi jina la mahali pale panaitwa Bama hata hivi leo.)
30 “Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? Do you play the prostitute after their abominations?
“Kwa hiyo iambie nyumba ya Israeli: ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Je, mtajinajisi kama vile baba zenu walivyofanya na kutamani vinyago vyao vya machukizo?
31 When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you!
Mnapotoa matoleo yenu, yaani, wana wenu kafara katika moto, mnaendelea kujinajisi na sanamu zenu zote hadi siku hii ya leo. Je, niulizwe neno na ninyi, ee nyumba ya Israeli? Hakika kama niishivyo, asema Bwana Mwenyezi, mimi sitaulizwa neno na ninyi.
32 “‘“That which comes into your mind will not be at all, in that you say, ‘We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.’
“‘Lile lililoko mioyoni mwenu kamwe halitatokea, mnaposema, “Tunataka tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama watu wengine wa dunia, wanaotumikia miti na mawe.”
33 As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you.
Hakika kama niishivyo asema Bwana Mwenyezi, nitatawala juu yenu kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
34 I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out.
Nitawatoa toka katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlikotawanywa, kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
35 I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
Nitawaleta katika jangwa la mataifa na huko nitatekeleza hukumu juu yenu uso kwa uso.
36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” says the Lord GOD.
Kama nilivyowahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, ndivyo nitakavyowahukumu ninyi, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.
37 “I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, nami nitawaleta katika mkataba wa Agano.
38 I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who disobey me. I will bring them out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”
Nitawaondoa miongoni mwenu wale wanaohalifu na wale wanaoasi dhidi yangu. Ingawa nitawatoa katika nchi wanazoishi, hawataingia katika nchi ya Israeli. Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana.
39 “‘As for you, house of Israel, the Lord GOD says: “Go, everyone serve his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but you shall no more profane my holy name with your gifts and with your idols.
“‘Kwa habari zenu ninyi, ee nyumba ya Israeli, hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Nendeni mkatumikie sanamu zenu, kila mmoja wenu! Lakini baadaye hakika mtanisikiliza mimi nanyi hamtalinajisi tena Jina langu takatifu, kwa matoleo yenu na sanamu zenu.
40 For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.
Kwa kuwa katika mlima wangu mtakatifu, mlima mrefu wa Israeli, asema Bwana Mwenyezi, hapo katika nchi nyumba yote ya Israeli itanitumikia mimi, nami huko nitawakubali. Huko nitataka sadaka zenu na matoleo ya malimbuko yenu, pamoja na dhabihu zenu takatifu zote.
41 I will accept you as a pleasant aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered. I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
Nitawakubali ninyi kama uvumba wenye harufu nzuri wakati nitakapowatoa katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlipokuwa mmetawanyika, nami nitajionyesha kuwa mtakatifu miongoni mwenu na machoni mwa mataifa.
42 You will know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.
Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, nchi niliyokuwa nimeapa kwa mkono ulioinuliwa kuwapa baba zenu.
43 There you will remember your ways, and all your deeds in which you have polluted yourselves. Then you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.
Hapo ndipo nitakapokumbuka mwenendo wenu na matendo yenu yote ambayo kwayo mlijitia unajisi, nanyi mtajichukia wenyewe kwa ajili ya maovu yote mliyokuwa mmetenda.
44 You will know that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel,” says the Lord GOD.’”
Nanyi mtajua kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakaposhughulika nanyi kwa ajili ya Jina langu na wala si sawasawa na njia zenu mbaya na matendo yenu maovu, ee nyumba ya Israeli, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.’”
45 The LORD’s word came to me, saying,
Neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south, and preach toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the south.
“Mwanadamu, uelekeze uso wako upande wa kusini, hubiri juu ya upande wa kusini na utoe unabii juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
47 Tell the forest of the south, ‘Hear the LORD’s word: The Lord GOD says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree. The burning flame will not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
Waambie watu wa Negebu: ‘Sikieni neno la Bwana. Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Ninakaribia kukutia moto, nao utateketeza miti yako yote, mibichi na iliyokauka. Miali ya moto haitaweza kuzimwa na kila uso kutoka kusini mpaka kaskazini utakaushwa kwa moto huo.
48 All flesh will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it. It will not be quenched.”’”
Kila mmoja ataona kuwa mimi Bwana ndiye niliyeuwasha huo moto, nao hautazimwa.’”
49 Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! They say of me, ‘Is not he a speaker of parables?’”
Ndipo niliposema, “Aa, Bwana Mwenyezi! Wao hunisema, ‘Huyu si huzungumza mafumbo tu?’”
