Ezekiel 20
1 And it happened that, in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth of the month, men from the elders of Israel arrived, so that they might inquire of the Lord, and they 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 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Ndipo neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God: Have you arrived in order to inquire of me? As I live, I will not answer you, says the Lord God.
“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 If you judge them, if you judge, O son of man, reveal to them the abominations of their fathers.
“Je, utawahukumu? Je, mwanadamu, utawahukumu? Basi uwakabili kwa ajili ya machukizo ya baba zao
5 And you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God: In the day when I chose Israel, and I lifted up my hand on behalf of the stock of the house of Jacob, and I appeared to them in the land of Egypt, and I lifted up my hand on their behalf, 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 lifted up my hand for their sake, so that I would lead them away from the land of Egypt, into a land which I had provided for them, flowing with milk and honey, which was singular among 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 And I said to them: ‘Let each one cast away the offenses of his eyes, and do not choose to 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 provoked me, and they were not willing to listen to me. Each one of them did not cast away the abominations of his eyes, nor did they leave behind the idols of Egypt. And so, I said that I would pour out my indignation upon them, and fulfill my wrath against them, in the midst 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 acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be violated in the sight of the Gentiles, in the midst of whom they were, and among whom I appeared to them, so that I might lead them away from 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 Therefore, I cast them out of the land of Egypt, and I led them away into the desert.
Kwa hiyo nikawaongoza watoke Misri na kuwaleta jangwani.
11 And I gave them my precepts, and I revealed to them my judgments, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them.
Nikawapa amri zangu na kuwajulisha sheria zangu, kwa kuwa mtu anayezitii ataishi kwa hizo.
12 Moreover, I also gave to them my Sabbaths, so that these would be a sign between me and them, and so that they would 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 provoked me in the desert. They did not walk in my precepts, and they cast aside my judgments, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them. And they grievously violated my Sabbaths. Therefore, I said that I would pour out my fury upon them in the desert, and that I would 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 acted for the sake of my name, lest it be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, in their sight.
Lakini kwa ajili ya Jina langu nikafanya kile ambacho kitalifanya Jina langu lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa ambao mbele yao nilikuwa nimewatoa Waisraeli.
15 And so I lifted up my hand over them in the desert, so as not to lead them into the land that I had given to them, flowing with milk and honey, the foremost 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 For they cast aside my judgments, and they did not walk in my precepts, and they violated my Sabbaths. For their heart went after idols.
kwa sababu walikataa sheria zangu na hawakufuata amri zangu na wakazinajisi Sabato zangu. Kwa kuwa mioyo yao iliandama sanamu zao.
17 Yet my eye was lenient concerning them, so that I did not utterly destroy them, nor did I consume them in the desert.
Lakini niliwahurumia wala sikuwaangamiza wala hakuwafuta kabisa jangwani.
18 Then I said to their sons in the wilderness: ‘Do not choose to advance by the precepts of your fathers, nor should you observe their judgments. And do not be defiled by 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 precepts, and observe my judgments, and accomplish them.
Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu, fuateni amri zangu tena kuweni waangalifu kushika sheria zangu.
20 And sanctify my Sabbaths, so that these may be a sign between me and you, and so 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 their sons provoked me. They did not walk in my precepts. And they did not observe my judgments, so as to do them; for if a man does them, he shall live by them. And they violated my Sabbaths. And so, I threatened that I would pour out my fury upon them, and that I would fulfill my wrath among them in the desert.
“‘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 But I turned aside my hand, and I acted for the sake of my name, so that it would not be violated before the Gentiles, from whom I cast them out, before their eyes.
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 Again, I lifted up my hand against them, in the wilderness, so that I would disperse them among the nations, and scatter them among the lands.
Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba ningewatawanya miongoni mwa mataifa na kuwatawanya katika nchi mbalimbali,
24 For they had not accomplished my judgments, and they had rejected my precepts, and they had violated my Sabbaths. And their eyes had been after the idols of their fathers.
kwa sababu hawakutii sheria zangu lakini walikuwa wamekataa amri zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu, nayo macho yao yakatamani sanamu za baba zao.
25 Therefore, I also gave them precepts that were not good, and judgments by which they shall not live.
Pia niliwaacha wafuate amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri na sheria ambazo mtu hawezi kuishi kwa hizo sheria.
26 And I defiled them by their own gifts, when they offered everything that opened the womb, because of their offenses. And they shall 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 For this reason, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God. Yet also in this did your fathers blaspheme me, after they had spurned and despised 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 though I had led them into the land, about which I lifted up my hand, so that I might give it to them: They saw every lofty hill and every leafy tree, and there they immolated their victims, and there they presented the provocation of their oblations, and there they stationed their sweet fragrances, and poured out their libations.
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 And I said to them, ‘What is exalted about the place to which you go?’ And yet its name is called ‘Exalted,’ even 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 Because of this, say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Certainly, you are defiled by the way of your fathers, and you have fornicated after their stumbling blocks.
“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 And you are being defiled by all of your idols, even to this day, by the oblation of your gifts, when you lead your sons through the fire. And should I respond to you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord God, I will not answer 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 And the plan of your mind will not occur, saying: ‘We will be like the Gentiles, and like the families of the earth, so that we worship what is 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, I will reign over you with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured forth.
Hakika kama niishivyo asema Bwana Mwenyezi, nitatawala juu yenu kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
34 And I will lead you away from the peoples. And I will gather you from the lands into which you were dispersed. I will reign over you with a powerful hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.
Nitawatoa toka katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlikotawanywa, kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
35 And I will lead you into the desert 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 contended in judgment against your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so also will I 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 And I will subject you to my scepter, and I will lead you into the bonds of the covenant.
Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, nami nitawaleta katika mkataba wa Agano.
38 And I will select, from among you, the transgressors and the impious. And I will lead them away from the land of their sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. And you shall 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 And as for you, house of Israel: thus says the Lord God: Walk, each one of you, after your idols and serve them. But if in this also you will not listen to me, and you continue to defile 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 on my holy mountain, on the exalted mountain of Israel, says the Lord God, there all the house of Israel shall serve me; all of them, I say, in the land in which they shall please me, and there I will require your first-fruits, and the foremost of your tithes, with all your sanctifications.
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 receive from you a fragrance of sweetness, when I will have led you away from the peoples, and gathered you from the lands into which you were dispersed. And I will be sanctified in you before the eyes 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 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I will have led you into the land of Israel, into the land about which I lifted up my hand, so that I would give it to your fathers.
Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, nchi niliyokuwa nimeapa kwa mkono ulioinuliwa kuwapa baba zenu.
43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your wickedness, by which you have been defiled. And you will be displeased with yourselves in your own sight, over all your evil deeds which you did.
Hapo ndipo nitakapokumbuka mwenendo wenu na matendo yenu yote ambayo kwayo mlijitia unajisi, nanyi mtajichukia wenyewe kwa ajili ya maovu yote mliyokuwa mmetenda.
44 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I will have acted well toward you for the sake of my name, and not according to your evil ways, nor according to your very great wickedness, O 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 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
46 “Son of man, set your face against the way of the south, and pour in drops toward Africa, and prophesy against the forest of the field of the meridian.
“Mwanadamu, uelekeze uso wako upande wa kusini, hubiri juu ya upande wa kusini na utoe unabii juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
47 And you shall say to the meridian forest: Listen to the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and I will burn up within you every green tree and every dry tree. The flame of the kindling will not be extinguished. And every face will be burned up within it, from the south, even to the north.
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 And all flesh will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it, and that it will not be extinguished.”
Kila mmoja ataona kuwa mimi Bwana ndiye niliyeuwasha huo moto, nao hautazimwa.’”
49 And I said: “Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God! They are saying about me: ‘Does this man not speak except through parables?’”
Ndipo niliposema, “Aa, Bwana Mwenyezi! Wao hunisema, ‘Huyu si huzungumza mafumbo tu?’”
