1 Kings 8

1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion.

Kisha Mfalme Solomoni akawaita mbele zake huko Yerusalemu wazee wa Israeli, viongozi wote wa makabila na wakuu wa jamaa za Waisraeli, ili walilete Sanduku la Agano la Bwana kutoka Sayuni, Mji wa Daudi.

2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, that is, the seventh month.

Wanaume wote wa Israeli wakakusanyika kwa Mfalme Solomoni wakati wa sikukuu ya mwezi wa Ethanimu, ndio mwezi wa saba.

3 And all the elders of Israel came; and the priests took up the ark.

Wazee wote wa Israeli walipofika, makuhani wakajitwika Sanduku la Agano,

4 And they brought up the ark of Jehovah, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent: the priests and the Levites brought them up.

nao wakalipandisha Sanduku la Bwana, na Hema la Kukutania pamoja na vyombo vyote vitakatifu vilivyokuwa ndani yake. Makuhani na Walawi wakavibeba,

5 And king Solomon, and all the assembly of Israel that were assembled to him, [who were] with him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.

naye Mfalme Solomoni na kusanyiko lote la Israeli waliokusanyika kumzunguka walikuwa mbele ya hilo Sanduku, nao wakatoa dhabihu nyingi za kondoo na ngʼombe ambao idadi yao haikuwezekana kuandikwa au kuhesabiwa.

6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim;

Makuhani wakalileta Sanduku la Agano la Bwana hadi mahali pake ndani ya sehemu takatifu ndani ya Hekalu, yaani Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, na kuliweka chini ya mabawa ya makerubi.

7 for the cherubim stretched forth [their] wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its staves above.

Makerubi yalitandaza mabawa yao juu ya mahali pa Sanduku la Agano na kutia kivuli Sanduku pamoja na mipiko yake ya kubebea.

8 And the staves were long, so that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle, but they were not seen without. And there they are to this day.

Mipiko hiyo ilikuwa mirefu sana kiasi kwamba ncha zake zilionekana kutoka Mahali Patakatifu mbele ya Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, lakini sio nje ya Mahali Patakatifu. Hiyo mipiko ipo hata leo.

9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses placed there at Horeb, when Jehovah made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Ndani ya Sanduku hapakuwepo kitu kingine chochote isipokuwa zile mbao mbili za mawe ambazo Mose alikuwa ameziweka ndani yake huko Horebu, mahali ambapo Bwana alifanya Agano na Waisraeli baada ya kutoka Misri.

10 And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Jehovah,

Makuhani walipoondoka katika Mahali Patakatifu, wingu likajaza Hekalu la Bwana.

11 and the priests could not stand to do their service because of the cloud; for the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of Jehovah.

Nao makuhani hawakuweza kufanya huduma yao kwa sababu ya lile wingu, kwa kuwa utukufu wa Bwana ulijaza Hekalu lake.

12 Then said Solomon: Jehovah said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

Ndipo Solomoni akasema, “Bwana alisema kwamba ataishi katika giza nene;

13 I have indeed built a house of habitation for thee, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

naam, hakika nimekujengea Hekalu zuri sana, mahali pako pa kuishi milele.”

14 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel; and the whole congregation of Israel stood.

Kusanyiko lote la Israeli lilipokuwa limesimama hapo, mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki.

15 And he said: Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

Kisha akasema: “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye kwa mkono wake mwenyewe ametimiza lile alilomwahidi Daudi baba yangu kwa kinywa chake mwenyewe. Kwa kuwa alisema,

16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; but I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

‘Tangu siku niliyowatoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji katika kabila lolote la Israeli ili Hekalu lijengwe humo ili Jina langu lipate kuwamo humo, bali nimemchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.’

17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel.

“Ilikuwa moyoni mwa Daudi baba yangu kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.

18 But Jehovah said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;

Lakini Bwana akamwambia Daudi baba yangu, ‘Kwa sababu ilikuwa moyoni mwako kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu, ulifanya vyema kuwa na jambo hili moyoni mwako.

19 nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

Hata hivyo, sio wewe utakayenijengea hekalu, bali mwanao, ambaye ni nyama yako na damu yako mwenyewe, yeye ndiye atakayejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu.’

20 And Jehovah has performed his word which he spoke; and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised, and I have built the house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel.

“Bwana ametimiza ahadi aliyoiweka: Nimeingia mahali pa Daudi baba yangu na sasa ninakikalia kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama vile Bwana alivyoahidi, nami nimejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.

21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Nimetenga nafasi humo kwa ajili ya Sanduku la Agano, ambamo ndani yake kuna lile Agano la Bwana alilofanya na baba zetu wakati alipowatoa Misri.”

22 And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of the whole congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward the heavens.

Kisha Solomoni akasimama mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana machoni pa kusanyiko lote la Israeli, akakunjua mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni

23 And he said, Jehovah, God of Israel! there is no God like thee, in the heavens above, or on the earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart;

na kusema: “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni wala chini duniani, wewe unayetunza Agano lako la upendo na watumishi wanaodumu katika njia yako kwa moyo wote.

24 who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him; thou spokest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled [it] with thy hand, as at this day.

Umetimiza ahadi yako kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, kwa kinywa chako uliahidi na kwa mkono wako umetimiza, kama ilivyo leo.

25 And now, Jehovah, God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy sons take heed to their way, to walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

“Sasa Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, mtimizie mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ahadi zako ulizomwahidi uliposema, ‘Kamwe hutakosa kuwa na mtu atakayeketi mbele zangu kwenye kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama wanao wakiangalia yote wayafanyayo kuenenda mbele zangu kama vile ulivyofanya.’

26 And now, O God of Israel, let thy words, I pray thee, be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David my father.

Sasa, Ee Mungu wa Israeli, acha neno lako lile ulilomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu litimie.

27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

“Lakini kweli, je, Mungu atafanya makao duniani? Mbingu, hata mbingu zilizo juu sana, haziwezi kukutosha wewe. Sembuse Hekalu hili nililojenga!

28 Yet have respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, Jehovah, my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day;

Hata hivyo sikiliza dua ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake kwa huruma, Ee Bwana Mungu wangu. Sikia kilio na dua ambayo mtumishi wako anaomba mbele zako siku hii ya leo.

29 that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day, upon the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.

Macho yako na yafumbuke kuelekea Hekalu hili usiku na mchana, mahali hapa ambapo ulisema, ‘Jina langu litakuwako humo,’ ili kwamba upate kusikia maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba kuelekea mahali hapa.

30 And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place, and hear thou in thy dwelling-place, in the heavens, and when thou hearest, forgive.

Usikie maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli wakati wanapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa. Sikia kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako na usikiapo, samehe.

31 If a man have sinned against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to adjure him, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

“Mtu anapomkosea jirani yake na akatakiwa kuapa, akija na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako ndani ya Hekalu hili,

32 then hear thou in the heavens, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, giving him according to his righteousness.

basi, sikia kutoka mbinguni na ukatende. Hukumu kati ya watumishi wako, ukimhukumu yule mwenye hatia na kuleta juu ya kichwa chake yale aliyoyatenda. Umtangazie mwenye haki kwamba hana hatia, hivyo ukathibitishe kuwa haki kwake.

33 When thy people Israel are put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house;

“Wakati watu wako Israeli watakapokuwa wameshindwa na adui kwa sababu ya dhambi walizofanya dhidi yako, watakapokugeukia na kulikiri jina lako, wakiomba na kufanya dua kwako katika Hekalu hili,

34 then hear thou in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land that thou gavest unto their fathers.

basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, ukasamehe dhambi ya watu wako Israeli na kuwarudisha katika nchi uliyowapa baba zao.

35 When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, because thou hast afflicted them;

“Wakati mbingu zitakapokuwa zimefungwa kusiwe na mvua kwa sababu watu wako wametenda dhambi dhidi yako, watakapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa na kulikiri jina lako nao wakageuka kutoka dhambi zao kwa sababu umewaadhibu,

36 then hear thou in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

basi usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi ya watumishi wako, watu wako Israeli. Wafundishe njia sahihi ya kuishi na ukanyeshe mvua juu ya nchi uliyowapa watu wako kuwa urithi.

37 If there be famine in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blight, mildew, locust, caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their gates; whatever plague, whatever sickness there be:

“Wakati njaa au tauni vikija juu ya nchi, au koga au kawa, nzige au panzi, au wakati adui atakapowazingira katika mji wao wowote, maafa ya namna yoyote au ugonjwa wowote unaoweza kuwajia,

38 what prayer, what supplication soever be made by any man, of all thy people Israel, when they shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house;

wakati dua au maombi yatakapofanywa na mmojawapo wa watu wako Israeli, kila mmoja akitambua taabu za moyo wake mwenyewe, naye akainyoosha mikono yake kuelekea Hekalu hili:

39 then hear thou in the heavens, the settled place of thy dwelling, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men),

basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, katika makao yako. Usamehe na utende, umpe kila mtu kulingana na matendo yake, kwa kuwa unaujua moyo wake (kwa kuwa ni wewe peke yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu wote),

40 that they may fear thee all the days that they live upon the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

ili wakuogope kwa wakati wote watakaoishi katika nchi uliyowapa baba zetu.

41 And as to the stranger also, who is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake

“Kwa habari ya mgeni ambaye si miongoni mwa watu wako Israeli, lakini amekuja kutoka nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako,

42 (for they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy mighty hand, and of thy stretched-out arm); when he shall come and pray toward this house,

kwa maana watu watasikia juu ya Jina lako kuu na juu ya mkono wako wenye nguvu na mkono wako ulionyooshwa, atakapokuja na kuomba kuelekea Hekalu hili,

43 hear thou in the heavens thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; in order that all peoples of the earth may know thy name, [and] that they may fear thee as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

basi na usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, ukafanye lolote ambalo mgeni huyo anakuomba, ili mataifa yote ya dunia wapate kujua jina lako na wakuogope kama wafanyavyo watu wako Israeli nao wapate pia kujua kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga imeitwa kwa Jina lako.

44 If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray to Jehovah toward the city that thou hast chosen, and the house that I have built unto thy name;

“Wakati watu wako watakapokwenda vitani dhidi ya adui zao, popote utakapowapeleka, wakati watakapoomba kwa Bwana kuelekea mji ambao umeuchagua, na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako,

45 then hear thou in the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their right.

basi usikie dua na maombi yao kutoka mbinguni, ukawatetee haki yao.

46 If they have sinned against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not, ) and thou be angry with them, and give them up to the enemy, and they have carried them away captives unto the enemy's land, far or near;

“Watakapotenda dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye hatendi dhambi, nawe ukachukizwa nao na kuwakabidhi kwa adui, ambaye atawachukua utumwani katika nchi yake mwenyewe, mbali au karibu;

47 and if they shall take it to heart in the land whither they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done iniquity, we have dealt perversely;

na kama watabadilika mioyo yao katika nchi wanakoshikiliwa mateka, nao wakatubu na kukulilia katika nchi ya wale waliowashinda na kusema, ‘Tumetenda dhambi, tumefanya makosa, tumetenda uovu’;

48 and if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city that thou hast chosen, and the house that I have built unto thy name;

kama wakikugeukia kwa moyo wao wote na nafsi zao katika nchi ya adui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, wakakuomba kuelekea nchi uliyowapa baba zao, kuelekea mji uliouchagua na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako;

49 then hear thou in the heavens, the settled place of thy dwelling, their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their right;

basi kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, usikie dua yao na maombi yao na kuitetea haki yao.

50 and forgive thy people their sin against thee, and all their transgressions whereby they have transgressed against thee, and give them to find compassion with those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

Uwasamehe watu wako, waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako; uwasamehe makosa yote waliyoyatenda dhidi yako, ukawafanye wale waliowashinda kuwaonea huruma;

51 (for they are thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron) —

kwa maana ni watu wako na urithi wako, uliowatoa Misri, kutoka kwenye lile tanuru la kuyeyushia chuma.

52 thine eyes being open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

“Macho yako na yafumbuke juu ya ombi la mtumishi wako na ombi la watu wako Israeli, nawe uwasikilize wakati wowote wanapokulilia.

53 For thou hast separated them from among all peoples of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spokest through Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah.

Kwa maana uliwachagua wao kutoka mataifa yote ya ulimwengu kuwa urithi wako mwenyewe, kama ulivyotangaza kupitia mtumishi wako Mose wakati wewe, Ee Bwana Mwenyezi, ulipowatoa baba zetu kutoka Misri.”

54 And it was so, that when Solomon had ended praying all this prayer and supplication to Jehovah, he arose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth to the heavens,

Wakati Solomoni alipomaliza dua hizi zote na maombi kwa Bwana, akainuka kutoka mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana, mahali alipokuwa amepiga magoti, mikono yake ikawa imekunjuliwa kuelekea juu mbinguni.

55 and he stood and blessed the whole congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

Akasimama na kubariki kusanyiko lote la Israeli kwa sauti kubwa akisema:

56 Blessed be Jehovah, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there has not failed one word of all his good promises which he spoke through Moses his servant!

“Ahimidiwe Bwana, aliyewapa pumziko watu wake Israeli kama vile alivyokuwa ameahidi. Hakuna hata neno moja lililopunguka kati ya ahadi zote nzuri alizozitoa kupitia mtumishi wake Mose.

57 Jehovah our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; let him not forsake us nor cast us off:

Bwana Mungu wetu na awe pamoja nasi kama alivyokuwa na baba zetu, kamwe asituache wala kutukataa.

58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.

Yeye na aielekeze mioyo yetu kwake, ili tutembee katika njia zake zote na kuzishika amri na maagizo na masharti aliyowapa baba zetu.

59 And let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Jehovah, be nigh to Jehovah our God day and night, that he maintain the right of his servant, and the right of his people Israel, as the matter of each day shall require;

Nami maneno yangu haya, ambayo nimeyaomba mbele za Bwana, yawe karibu na Bwana Mungu wetu usiku na mchana, ili kwamba atetee shauri la mtumishi wake na la watu wake Israeli kulingana na hitaji lao la kila siku,

60 that all peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah is God, that there is none else;

ili kwamba mataifa yote ya dunia wajue kwamba Bwana ndiye Mungu na kwamba hakuna mwingine.

61 and that your heart may be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Lakini ni lazima mwiweke mioyo yenu kikamilifu kwa Bwana Mungu wetu, kuishi kwa maagizo yake na kutii amri zake, kama ilivyo wakati huu.”

62 And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifices before Jehovah.

Kisha mfalme na Israeli wote pamoja naye wakatoa dhabihu mbele za Bwana.

63 And Solomon sacrificed a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he sacrificed to Jehovah, twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah.

Solomoni akatoa dhabihu sadaka za amani kwa Bwana: ngʼombe 22,000, pamoja na kondoo na mbuzi 120,000. Hivyo ndivyo mfalme na Waisraeli wote walivyoweka wakfu Hekalu la Bwana.

64 The same day the king hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Jehovah; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the oblations, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar that was before Jehovah was too small to receive the burnt-offerings, and the oblations, and the fat of the peace-offerings.

Siku iyo hiyo mfalme akaweka wakfu sehemu ya katikati ya ua uliokuwa mbele ya Hekalu la Bwana na hapo akatoa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka za amani, kwa sababu madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele za Bwana ilikuwa ndogo sana kuweza kubeba sadaka hizo za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka ya amani.

65 And at that time Solomon held the feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the torrent of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, fourteen days.

Hivyo Solomoni akaiadhimisha sikukuu kwa wakati ule, na Israeli wote pamoja naye. Walikuwa kusanyiko kubwa sana, watu kutoka Lebo-Hamathi hadi Kijito cha Misri. Wakaiadhimisha mbele za Bwana Mungu wetu kwa siku saba na siku saba zaidi, yaani, jumla siku kumi na nne.

66 On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Jehovah had done to David his servant, and to Israel his people.

Siku iliyofuata, aliwaruhusu watu waondoke. Wakambariki mfalme, kisha wakaenda nyumbani, wakiwa na mashangilio na furaha rohoni kwa ajili ya mambo yote mema ambayo Bwana ametenda kwa ajili ya Daudi mtumishi wake na watu wake Israeli.