< Daniel 4 >

1 Nabuchodonosor the king, to all peoples, nations, and tongues, that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you.
Mfalme Nebukadneza, Kwa kabila za watu, mataifa na watu wa kila lugha, wanaoishi katika ulimwengu wote: Mafanikio yawe kwenu sana!
2 The most high God hath wrought signs and wonders toward me. It hath seemed good to me therefore to publish
Ni furaha yangu kuwaambia kuhusu ishara za miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu Aliye Juu Sana amenifanyia.
3 His signs, because they are great: and his wonders, because they are mighty: and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, I and his power to all generations.
Ishara zake ni kuu aje, na maajabu yake yana nguvu aje! Ufalme wake ni ufalme wa milele; enzi yake hudumu kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
4 I, Nabuchodonosor, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace:
Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa nyumbani katika jumba langu la kifalme, nikiwa ninaishi kwa raha na hali ya kufanikiwa.
5 I saw a dream that affrighted me: and my thoughts in my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Niliota ndoto iliyoniogopesha. Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, njozi na maono yaliyopita mawazoni mwangu vilinitisha.
6 Then I set forth a decree, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before me, and that they should shew me the interpretation of the dream.
Hivyo nikaagiza kwamba watu wote wenye hekima wa Babeli waletwe mbele yangu kunifasiria ndoto yangu.
7 Then came in the diviners, the wise men, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers, and I told the dream before them: but they did not shew me the interpretation thereof:
Walipokuja waganga, wasihiri, wanajimu na waaguzi, niliwaambia ndoto yangu, lakini hawakuweza kunifasiria.
8 Till their colleague Daniel came in before me, whose name is Baltassar, according to the name of my god, who hath in him the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him.
Mwishoni, Danieli alikuja mbele yangu nikamweleza hiyo ndoto. (Danieli anaitwa Belteshaza, kwa jina la mungu wangu, nayo roho ya miungu mitakatifu inakaa ndani yake.)
9 Baltassar, prince of the diviners, because I know that thou hast in thee the spirit of the holy gods, and that no secret is impossible to thee: tell me the visions of my dreams that I have seen, and the interpretation of them.
Nilisema, “Belteshaza, mkuu wa waganga, ninajua kuwa roho ya miungu mitakatifu iko ndani yako, wala hakuna siri iliyo ngumu kwako. Hii ndiyo ndoto yangu, nifasirie.
10 This was the vision of my head in my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was exceeding great.
Haya ndiyo maono niliyoona nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu: Nilitazama, na mbele yangu ulisimama mti katikati ya nchi. Ulikuwa mrefu sana.
11 The tree was great, and strong: and the height thereof reached unto heaven: the sight thereof was even to the ends of all the earth.
Mti ule ulikua, ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga; ulionekana mpaka miisho ya dunia.
12 Its leaves were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much: and in it was food for all: under it dwelt cattle, and beasts, and in the branches thereof the fowls of the air had their abode: and all flesh did eat of it.
Majani yake yalikuwa ya kupendeza, matunda yake yalikuwa mengi, na juu yake kulikuwa na chakula kwa ajili ya wote. Chini ya kivuli chake wanyama wa kondeni walipata hifadhi, na ndege wa angani waliishi katika matawi yake. Kila kiumbe kililishwa kutokana na mti huo.
13 I saw in the vision of my head upon my bed, and behold a watcher, and a holy one came down from heaven.
“Katika maono niliyoyaona nikiwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, nilitazama, na mbele yangu alikuwepo mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni.
14 He cried aloud, and said thus: Cut down the tree, and chop off the branches thereof: shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruits: let the beasts fly away that are under it, and the birds from its branches.
Akaita kwa sauti kubwa: ‘Kateni mti huu, myafyeke matawi yake; yaondoeni majani yake na kuyatawanya matunda yake. Wanyama na wakimbie kutoka chini yake na ndege waondoke kutoka matawi yake.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be tied with a band of iron, and of brass, among the grass, that is without, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth.
Lakini acheni kisiki chake na mizizi, kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na shaba, kibaki ardhini, kwenye majani ya kondeni. “‘Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, naye aachwe aishi pamoja na wanyama miongoni mwa mimea ya dunia.
16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given him; and let seven times pass over him.
Akili yake na ibadilishwe kutoka ile ya mwanadamu na apewe akili ya mnyama, mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.
17 This is the decree by the sentence of the watchers, and the word And demand of the holy ones; till the living know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; and he will give it to whomsoever it shall please him, and he will appoint the basest man over it.
“‘Uamuzi huu umetangazwa na walinzi, hukumu imetangazwa na watakatifu, ili walio hai wajue kuwa Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme zote za wanadamu, naye humpa yeyote amtakaye na kumtawaza juu yake hata yeye aliye mnyonge sana miongoni mwa wanadamu.’
18 I king Nabuchodonosor saw this dream: thou, therefore, O Baltassar, tell me quickly the interpretation: for all the wise men of my kingdom axe not able to declare the meaning of it to me: but thou art able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
“Hii ndiyo ndoto niliyoipata mimi, Mfalme Nebukadneza. Sasa Belteshaza, niambie maana yake, kwa maana hakuna hata mmoja wa wenye hekima katika ufalme wangu anayeweza kunifasiria. Bali wewe waweza, kwa sababu roho ya miungu mitakatifu imo ndani yako.”
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Baltassar, began silently to think within himself for about one hour: and his thoughts troubled him. But the king answering, said: Baltassar, let not the dream and the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Baltassar answered, and said: My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thy enemies.
Ndipo Danieli (aliyeitwa pia Belteshaza) alipofadhaika sana kwa muda, nayo mawazo yake yakamtia hofu. Basi mfalme akasema, “Belteshaza, usiruhusu ndoto wala maana yake kukutia hofu.” Belteshaza akamjibu, “Bwana wangu, laiti ndoto hii ingehusu adui zako, na maana yake iwahusu watesi wako!
20 The tree which thou sawest which was high and strong, whose height reached to the skies, and the sight thereof into all tire earth:
Mti uliouona, uliokua ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga na kuonekana duniani kote,
21 And the branches thereof were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much, and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and the birds of the air had their abode in its branches.
ukiwa na majani ya kupendeza na matunda mengi, ukitoa chakula kwa wote, na ukiwapa hifadhi wanyama wa kondeni na kuwa mahali pa viota katika matawi yake kwa ajili ya ndege wa angani.
22 It is thou, O king, who art grown great and become mighty: for thy greatness hath grown, and hath reached to heaven, and thy power unto the ends of the earth.
Ee mfalme, wewe ndiwe ule mti! Umekuwa mkubwa na mwenye nguvu, nao ukuu wako umekua mpaka kufika juu angani, nayo mamlaka yako yameenea mpaka miisho ya dunia.
23 And whereas the king saw a watcher, and a holy one come down from heaven, and say: Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, and let it be bound with iron and brass among the grass without, and let it be sprinkled with the dew of heaven, and let his feeding be with the wild beasts, till seven times pass over him.
“Ee mfalme, wewe ulimwona mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni na kusema, ‘Ukateni mti na kuuangamiza, lakini kiacheni kisiki kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na kwa shaba, kwenye majani ya kondeni, wakati mizizi yake inabaki ardhini. Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, mwacheni aishi kama wanyama pori mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.’
24 This is the interpretation of the sentence of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king.
“Ee mfalme, hii ndiyo tafsiri, na hii ni amri ya Aliye Juu Sana aliyoitoa dhidi ya bwana wangu mfalme:
25 They shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle and with wild beasts, and thou shalt eat grass as an ox, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven: and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Wewe utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, nawe utaishi pamoja na wanyama pori; utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe, na kuloana kwa umande wa mbinguni. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye.
26 But whereas he commanded, that the stump of the roots thereof, that is, of the tree, should be left: thy kingdom shall remain to thee after thou shalt have known that power is from heaven.
Amri ya kuacha kisiki pamoja na mizizi yake inamaanisha kwamba ufalme wako utarejezwa kwako utakapokubali kwamba Mbingu ndizo zitawalazo.
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and redeem thou thy sins with alms, and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor: perhaps he will forgive thy offences.
Kwa hiyo, ee mfalme, uwe radhi kupokea shauri langu: Acha dhambi zako kwa kutenda yaliyo haki, ukaache uovu wako, na uwe na huruma kwa walioonewa. Hivyo itawezekana baada ya hayo, mafanikio yako yakaendelea.”
28 All these things came upon king Nabuchodonosor.
Haya yote yalimpata Mfalme Nebukadneza.
29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the palace of Babylon.
Miezi kumi na miwili baadaye, mfalme alipokuwa akitembea juu ya paa la jumba la kifalme la Babeli,
30 And the king answered, and said: Is not this the great Babylon, which I have built to be the seat of the kingdom, by the strength of my power, and in the glory of my excellence?
alisema, “Je, huu si Babeli mji mkuu nilioujenga kama makao ya kifalme, kwa uwezo wangu mkubwa, na kwa ajili ya utukufu wa enzi yangu?”
31 And while the word was yet in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven: To thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, it is said: Thy kingdom shall pass from thee,
Maneno hayo yalikuwa bado katika midomo yake wakati sauti ilipokuja kutoka mbinguni, ikisema, “Mfalme Nebukadneza, hiki ndicho kilichoamriwa kwa ajili yako: Mamlaka yako ya ufalme yameondolewa kutoka kwako.
32 And they shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle and wild beasts: thou shalt eat grass like an ox, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, ukaishi pamoja na wanyama pori, na utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye.”
33 The same hour the word was fulfilled upon Nabuchodonosor, and he was driven away from among men, and did eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven: till his hairs grew like the feathers of eagles, and his nails like birds’ claws.
Papo hapo yale yaliyokuwa yamesemwa kuhusu Nebukadneza yakatimia. Alifukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, akala majani kama ngʼombe. Mwili wake uliloweshwa kwa umande wa mbinguni mpaka nywele zake zikakua kama manyoya ya tai na kucha zake kama makucha ya ndege.
34 Now at the end of the days, I Nabuchodonosor lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my sense was restored to me: and I blessed the most High, and I praised and glorified him that liveth for ever: for his power is an everlasting power, and his kingdom is to all generations.
Mwisho wa huo wakati, mimi Nebukadneza, niliinua macho yangu kuelekea mbinguni, nazo fahamu zangu zikanirudia. Ndipo nikamsifu Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, nikamheshimu na kumhimidi yeye aishiye milele. Utawala wake ni utawala wa milele; ufalme wake hudumu kutoka kizazi na kizazi.
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him: for he doth according to his will, I as well with the powers of heaven, as among the inhabitants of the earth: and there is none that can resist his hand, and say to him: Why hast thou done it?
Mataifa yote ya dunia yanahesabiwa kuwa si kitu. Hufanya kama atakavyo kwa majeshi ya mbinguni, na kwa mataifa ya dunia. Hakuna anayeweza kuuzuia mkono wake au kumwambia, “Umefanya nini wewe?”
36 At the same time my sense returned to me, and I came to the honour and glory of my kingdom: and my shape returned to me: and my nobles, and my magistrates sought for me, and I was restored to my kingdom: and greater majesty was added to me.
Wakati huo huo fahamu zangu ziliponirudia, nikarudishiwa heshima yangu na fahari yangu kwa ajili ya utukufu wa ufalme wangu. Washauri wangu na wakuu wangu walikuja kunitafuta, nami nikarudishwa kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme hata nikawa mkuu kuliko mwanzoni.
37 Therefore I Nabuchodonosor do now praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven: because all his works are true, and his ways judgments, and them that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Basi mimi, Nebukadneza, humhimidi, na humtukuza na kumsifu Mfalme wa mbinguni, kwa sababu kila kitu afanyacho ni haki, na njia zake zote ni adili. Nao waendao kwa kiburi anaweza kuwashusha.

< Daniel 4 >