1 Kings 8

1 Then Solomon summoned before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel, including all the heads of the tribes and the family leaders of the Israelites. He instructed them to bring up with them the Ark of the Lord's Agreement from Zion, the City of David.

Kisha Sulemani akawakusanya wazee wa Israeli, wakuu wote wa makabila, na viongozi wa familia za wana wa Israeli, mbele yake kuleYerusalemu, ili waliingize ndani lile sanduku la agano la BWANA kutoka mji wa Daudi, ambao ni Sayuni.

2 All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the festival which is held in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

Wanaume wote wa Israeli walikusanyika mbele ya mfalme Sulemani kwenye sherehe, katika mwezi wa Ethanim, ambao ndio mwezi wa saba.

3 When all the elders of Israel had gathered, the priests picked up the Ark and brought the Ark of the Lord and the Tent of Meeting with all its holy items.

Wazee wote wa Israeli walikuja, na makuhani wakalibeba lile sanduku.

4 The priests and Levites carried them up.

Wakalileta lile sanduku la BWANA, lIle hema la kukutania na mapambo yote matakatifu ambayo yalikuwa kwenye hema. Makuhani na Walawi wakavileta vitu hivi.

5 In front of the Ark, King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who had gathered there with him sacrificed many, many sheep and bulls—so numerous they couldn't be counted!

Mfame Sulemani na mkutano wote wa Israeli wakaja pamoja mbele ya sanduku, wakatoa sadaka za kondoo na makisai ambazo hazikuweza kuhasabika.

6 Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord's Agreement to its place in the inner sanctuary of the Temple, the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.

Makuhani wakalingiza ndani lile sanduku la agano la BWANA na wakaliweka mahali pake, ndani ya chumba cha ndani, patakatifu sana, chini ya yale mabawa ya makerubi.

7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place where the Ark was, covering the Ark and its carrying poles.

Kwa kuwa makerubi walitandaza mabawa yao hadi mahali pa sanduku la agano, na walifunika sanduku na miti yake kwani ilitumika kulibeba.

8 The poles were so long that the ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside. They are there to this day.

Ile miti ilikuwa mirefu sana kiasi kwamba miishio yake ilionekana tokea kwenye eneo takatifu mbele ya chumba cha ndani, lakini haikuweza kuonekana kutokea nje. Miti hiyo iko mpaka leo.

9 There was nothing in the Ark apart from the two tablets of stone that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord had made an agreement with the Israelites after they came out of the land of Egypt.

Ndani ya sanduku hapakuwemo na kitu chochote isipokuwa vile vidonge vya mawe ambavyo Musa aliviweka alipokuwa mlima Horebu, wakati BWANA alipofanya agano na watu wa Israeli walipotoka kwenye nchi ya Misri.

10 When the priests left the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.

Ilitokea kwamba wakati makuhani walipotoka mahali patakatifu, lile wingu lilifunika hekalu la BWANA.

11 Due to the cloud, the priests could not stay there to carry out their service, for the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's Temple.

Makuhani hawakuweza kusimama kwa ajili ya kutumika kwa sababu utukufu wa BWANA ulifunika hekalu.

12 Then Solomon said: “Lord, you said that you would live in the thick cloud.

Kisha Sulemani akasema, “BWANA amsema kuwa anaweza kuishi hata kwenye giza nene,

13 Now I have built for you a majestic Temple, a place where you may live for ever.”

Lakinni nimekujengea makao ya kujivunia, mahali pako pa kuishi milele.”

14 The king turned around to the whole assembly of Israel who were standing there, and blessed them,

Kisha mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki mkusanyiko wa watu wa Israeli, wakati huo mkusanyiko wa Waisraeli walikuwa wamesimama.

15 saying, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who by his own power has fulfilled the promise he made to my father David when he said,

Akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, asifiwe, ambaye alisema na baba yangu Daudi, na ametimiza kwa mikono yake, akisema,

16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt I have not chosen any town of the tribes of Israel as the place to build a Temple to honor me. But I have chosen David as king over my people Israel.’

'Tangu siku ile niliyowatoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji wowote toka kwa makabila yote ya Israeli ambako ningeijenga nyumba, kwa ajili ya jina langu kuwemo humo. Hata hivyo, nilimchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.

17 My father David really wanted to build a Temple to honor the Lord, the God of Israel.

Sasa ilikuwa kwenye moyo wa Daudi baba yangu kujenga nyumba kwa jina la BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli.

18 But the Lord told my father David, ‘You had the desire to build a Temple to honor me, and it was good that you really wanted to do this.

Lakini BWANA alimwambia baba yangu Daudi, 'Ilikuwa ndani ya moyo wako kunijengea nyumba kwa jina langu, ulifanya vyema kwa hilo kuwa ndani ya moyo wako.

19 But it won't be you who will build this Temple, but your son who is to be born to you—he will build the Temple to honor me.'

Ingawa hutanijengea nyumba; badala yake mwanao, mmoja wa wanao atakayezaliwa toka viunoni mwako, atanijengea nyumba kwa jina langu,'

20 Now the Lord has kept his promise that he made. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised. I have built the Temple to honor the Lord, the God of Israel.

BWANA amelibeba lile neno slilokuwa amesema, kwa kuwa nimeinuka mahali pa baba yangu Daudi, na nimeketi kwenye kiti cha enzi cha Israeli, kama BWANA alivyoahidi. Nimeijenga nyumba kwa jina la BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli.

21 I have provided a place there for the Ark, which contains the agreement of the Lord that he made with our forefathers when he led them out of the land of Egypt.”

Nimetengeneza mahali kwa ajili ya sanduku ndani yake, ambamo ndani yake kuna agano la BWANA, ambalo alifanya na baba zetu alipowatoa toka nchi ya Misri,”

22 Then Solomon stood in front of the altar of the Lord before the whole assembly of Israel and held out his hands toward heaven.

Sulemani alisimama mbele ya madhabahu ya BWANA, mbela ya mkusanyiko wote wa Waisraeli, naye akanyosha mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni.

23 He said, “Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep you agreement of trustworthy love with your servants, those who are totally committed to following you.

Akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni au chini duniani, ambaye hutunza agano lake kwa uaminifu kwa watumishi wako ambao hutembea mbele yako kwa mioyo yao yote;

24 You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You yourself promised, and by your own power you have fulfilled it today.

wewe ambaye umetunza ahadi yako na mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ile uliyomwahidi. Naam, ulisema kwa kinywa chako na sasa umeitimiza kwa mkono wako, kama ilivyo leo.

25 So now, Lord, God of Israel, please also keep the promise you made to your servant, my father David, when you said: ‘You will never fail to have a descendant sit in my presence on the throne of Israel, as long as they make sure to follow me as you have done.’

Sasa basi, BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, timiza kile ulichomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, pale uliposema, 'Hautashindwa kunipa mtu mbele ya macho yangu ambaye ataketi katika kiti cha enzi cha Israeli, kama tu uzao wako watakuwa waangalifu kutembea mbele yangu, kama vile wewe ulivyotembea mbele yangu.'

26 Now, God of Israel, please keep the promise you made to our servant, my father David.

Sasa basi, Mungu wa Israeli, Ninaomba kwamba ile ahadi uliyofanya kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, itimie.

27 But will God really live here on earth? The heavens, even highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this Temple I have built!

Je, ni kweli kwamba Mungu ataishi duniani? Tazama, Ulimwengu wote na mbingu hazikutoshi - sembuse nyumba hii niliyoijenga!

28 Please hear the prayer of your servant and his request, Lord my God. Please hear the appeals and the prayers that your servant is presenting before you today.

Kwa hiyo Mungu naomba uyajali maombi haya ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake, BWANA, Mungu wangu; sikiliza kilio na maombi ambayo mtumishi wako anakuomba leo.

29 May you watch over this Temple day and night, caring for the place where you said you would be honored. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place,

Naomba ulitazame hekalu hili mchana na usiku, mahali ambapo ulisema, 'Jina langu na uwepo wangu utakuwa' - ili niweze kuwa nasikiliza maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba mahali hapa.

30 and may you hear the request of your servant and your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Please hear from heaven where you live. May you hear and forgive.

Kwa hiyo sikia maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli tunapokuwa tunaomba mahali hapa. Ndiyo, sikia kutokea mahali ambapo unaishi, kutoka katika mbingu za mbingu; na unaposikia tafadhali samehe.

31 When someone sins against another and is required to take an oath before your altar in this Temple,

Kama mtu atamtendea uovu jirani yake na anapewa sharti la kiapo, na kama atakuja na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako katika nyumba hii,

32 listen from heaven—act and judge your servants. Pay back the guilty; vindicate and reward those who do right.

basi usikie kutoka mbinguni ukatende na kuwahukumu watumishi wako, ukamhukumu mwovu, ili kuwaletea tabia zake kichwani mwake, na kumtunza mwenye haki kuwa hana hatia, na kumpa thawabu yake ya haki.

33 When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they come back in repentance to you, praying for forgiveness in this Temple,

Watu wako Israeli watakapopigwa na adui kwa sabau ya kutenda dhambi dhidi yako, na kama watakurudia, na kulikiri jina lako, na kukusihi, na kuomba msamaha kwako katika hekalu hili-

34 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their forefathers.

tafadhali nakuomba usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi za watu wako Israeli; uwarudishe katika nchi ambayo uliwapa mababu zao.

35 If the skies are closed shut and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and if they come back in repentance to you, turning away from their sin because you have punished them,

Kama mbingu zitafungwa na mvua hazinyeshi kwa sababu watu wamekutenda dhambi wewe - na kama wataomba mahali hapa, na kulikiri jina lako, na kugeuka toka dhambi zao na kama umewapiga -

36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the good way so that they can walk on it, and send rain on the earth that you have given to your people as their possession.

basi sikia tokea mbinguni na usamehe dhambi za watumishi wako na za watu wako Israeli, utakapowafundisha njia njema inayowapasa; basi uinyeshee mvua nchi yako, ambayo uliwapa watu wako kuwa urithi.

37 If there is famine in the land, or disease, or blight or mildew on the crops, or if there are locusts or caterpillars, or if an enemy comes to lay siege to the towns in the land—it can be whatever kind of plague or whatever kind of disease—

Na kama kuna njaa katika nchi, au kama kuna magonjwa, au ukungu, nzige au funza; au kama adui atavamia malango ya mji katika nchi yao, kama kuna tauni au magonjwa yeyote -

38 then whatever kind of prayer or whatever kind of appeal is made by anyone or all your people Israel, in fact anyone who, knowing their problems and pains, prays toward this Temple,

na kama kuna mtu au wata wa Israeli wataomba - kila mmoja akaijua hiyo tauni katika moyo wake wakati akinyosha mikono yake katika hekalu hili.

39 then hear from heaven, the place where you live, and forgive. Give according to the way they live their lives, for you know what people are really like inside, and you alone know the true character of people.

Basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali unapoishi, utende na kusamehe, na umpe kila mtu thawabu anayostahili kwa kile anachofanya; wewe unajua moyo wake, kwa sababu ni wewe pekee yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu.

40 Then they will respect you and follow your ways all the time they live in the land you gave to our forefathers.

Fanya hivi ili kwamba wawe na hofu kwako katika siku zote za maisha yao wanayoishi katika nchi uliyowapa mababu zetu.

41 As for the foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel but who come from a distant land,

Na nyongeza yake, kuhusiana na mgeni ambaye si mtu wako wa Israeli: atakapokuja kutokea nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako -

42 having heard of your great nature and power and ability to help, when they come and pray toward this Temple,

kwa sababu watasikia jina lako lilivyo kuu, mkono wako wenye nguvu, na mkono wako ulioinuliwa - atakapokuja na kuomba mahali hapa pa hekalu,

43 then hear from heaven, the place where you live, and give them what they're asking. That way, everyone on earth will come to know and respect you, just as your own people Israel do. They will also know that this Temple I have built is dedicated to you.

tafadhali usikie kutokea katika mbingu, mahali unapoishi, na umfanyie huyo mgeni akuombacho. Fanya hivi ili makundi ya wtu wote duniani wakujue jina lako na kukuhofia, kama wanavyofanya watu Israeli. Fanya hivyo ili wajue kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga inaitwa kwa jina lako.

44 When your people go to fight against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to you towards the city you have chosen and the house I have built to honor you,

Na kama watu wko wataenda vitani dhidi ya adui, kwa njia yeyote unayoweza kuwatuma, na kama watakuomba wewe, BWANA, kuelekea mji huu uliuchagua, na kuekea nyumba ambayo nimeijenga kwa jina lako.

45 then hear from heaven what they are praying and asking for, and support their cause.

Basi sikia tokea mbinguni maombi yao, dua zao, na uwasaidie wanachohitaji.

46 If they sin against you—and there is nobody who does not sin—you may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy who takes them away as prisoners to a foreign land, near or far away.

Na kama watafanya dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna hata mtu mmoja asiyefanya dhambi, na kama una hasira dhidi yao na kuwapeleka kwa maadui, ili kwamba maadui wawachukue mateka katika nchi yao, mbali au karibu.

47 But if they think again in their land of captivity and repent and plead for mercy from you, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly,’

Na kama watatambua kuwa wako katika nchi ya utumwa, na kama watatubu na kuomba neema kwako kutokea katika nchi ya watekaji. Na kama watasema, 'tumetenda kwa ukaidi na tumefanya dhambi. Tumetenda kwa uovu.'

48 and they come back to you with complete sincerity in their thoughts and attitudes there in their land of captivity; and they pray towards the land you gave their forefathers, the city you chose, and the Temple I have built to honor you,

Na kama watarudi kwako kwa mioyo yao yote na kwa roho zao zote katika chi ya maadui ambao wanawakamata, na kama watakuomba wewe kuelekea nchi yao, ambayo uliwapa mababu zao, na kuelekea katika mji uliouchagua, nakuelekea kaika nyumba ambayo nimeijenga kwa jina lako.

49 then hear from heaven, the place where you live, respond and support their cause.

Basi usikie maombi yao, na dua zao tokea mbinguni, mahali unapoishi, na ukaitetee haki yao.

50 Forgive your people who have sinned against you, all the rebellious acts they have committed against you. Please make those who have captured them show mercy to them.

Wasamehe watu wako waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako, na dhambi zao zote ambazo kwazo wamekukosea wewe dhidi ya amri zako. Uwahurumie mbele ya maadui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, ili kwamba maadui zao pia wawahurumie watu wako.

51 For they are your people—they belong to you! You led them out of Egypt, out of the middle of furnace used for smelting iron.

Hawa ni watu wako uliowachagau, ambao uliwaokoa toka nchi ya Misri kama kwamba walikuwa katikati ya tanuru amabamo vyuma huyeyushwa.

52 May you pay attention to the requests of your servant, and to the requests of your people Israel, and may you respond whenever they call out to you.

Naomba kwamba macho yako yatazame dua za mtumishi wako na kwa dua za watu wako Issraeli, ili uwasike kila wanapokulilia.

53 For you set them apart from all the nations of the world as a people who belonged to you, just as you declared through your servant Moses when you led our fathers out of Egypt.”

Kwa kuwa uliwatenga toka kwa watu wengine wa duniani ili wawe wako nakupokea ahadi zako, kama vile ulivyomwambia Musa mtumishi wako, wakati ulipowatoa babazetu toka Misri, BWANA.”

54 After Solomon finished praying all these prayers and requests to the Lord, he stood up before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands held out toward heaven.

Kwa hiyo ilitokea wakati Sulemaeni alipomaliza kuomba maombi haya na dua zake kwa BWANA, aliamka toka madhabahu ya BWANA, pale alipokuwa amepiga magoti na mikono yake ikiwa imenyoshwa kuelekea mbinguni.

55 Solomon stood, and in a loud voice he blessed the whole assembly of Israel, saying,

Alisimama na kuubariki mkutano wote wa Israeli kwa sauti kuu, alisema,

56 “Praise the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel in accordance with everything he promised. Not a single word has failed among all the good promises he made through his servant Moses.

“Asifiwe BWANA, aliywapatia pumziko watu hawa Israeli, akitunza ahadi zake zote. Hakuna hata moja ambayo haijatekelezwa katika ahadi njema za BWANA ambazo aliahidi akiwa na Musa mtumishi wake.

57 May the Lord our God be with us in the same way he was with our forefathers. May he never leave us or abandon us.

BWANA, mungu wetu awe pamoja nasi, kama alivyokuwa pamoja na mababu zetu. Asituache wala kututelekeza,

58 May he help us to come to him, to follow all his ways and to keep the commandments, statutes, and regulations he ordered our forefathers to observe.

kwamba aunganishe mioyo yetu na yeye, ili tuishi katika njia zake na kuzishika amri zake na taratibu zake na maagizo yake, ambayo aliwaagiza baba zetu.

59 May these words of mine I have used to make my request in the Lord's presence be before the Lord our God day and night. In that way he may support the cause of his servant and of his people Israel as is needed every day,

Na maeneo haya ambayo nimesema, ambayo nimesihi mbele ya BWANA, yawe karibu n a BWANA, Mungu wetu usiku na mchana, ili kwamba awasadie katika haki za mtumishi wake na haki za watu wake Israeli, kama watakavyoomba kila siku;

60 in order that everyone on the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is no other!

kwamba watu wote duniani wajue kwamba BWANA, ndiye Mungu, na hakuna Mungu mwingine!

61 So make sure you are completely committed to the Lord our God just as you are today, and be careful to follow his statutes and to keep his commandments.”

Kwa hiyo ifanyeni mioyo yenu iwe ya haki mbele ya BWANA. Mungu wetu, ili tutembee katika maagizo na kuzishika amri zake, kama ilivyo leo.

62 Then the king and together with all of Israel offered sacrifices before the Lord.

Kwa hiyo mfalme na watu wote pamoja naye wakatoa sadaka kwa BWANA.

63 Solomon presented as friendship offerings to the Lord 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep. In this way the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Lord's Temple.

Sulemani akatoa sadaka ya amani, ambayo aliifanya kwa BWANA: Nayo ilikuwa makisai elfu ishirini na mbili, na kondoo 120, 000. Kwa hiyo mfalme na watu wa Israeli wakaiweka wakfu nyumba ya BWANA.

64 On that same day, the king dedicated the center of the courtyard in front of the Lord's Temple. There he presented burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the friendship offerings, since the bronze altar in the Lord's presence was too small to hold all these offerings.

Siku hiyo mfalme aliweka wakfu behewa ya katikati mbele ya hekalu la BWANA, kwa kuwa pale ndipo alipotoa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za unga, na sadaka za mafuta ya amani, kwa sababu ile madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele ya BWANA ilikuwa ndogo sana kwa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za unga, na mafuta ya sadaka za amani.

65 Then Solomon together with all of Israel observed the festival before the Lord our God for seven days, and then another seven days—fourteen days in all. It was a large assembly of people, who came from as far away as Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.

Kwa hiyo Sulemani akafanya sherehe wakati huo, Nayo Israeli yote pamoja naye, mkutano mkubwa, kutoka Lebo Hamathi hadi kijito cha Misri, wakaja mbele ya BWANA, Mungu wetu kwa muda wa siku saba na pia kwa siku saba zingine, ambayo jumla yake ni siku kumi na nne.

66 One day later Solomon sent the people home. They blessed the king and went home, full of joy and happy for all the good things that the Lord had done for his servant David and for his people Israel.

Na ilipofika siku ya nane aliwatawanya watu, nao wakambariki mfalme kisha wakaenda nyumbani kwao kwa furaha na mioyo ya shangwe kwa wema wote ambao BWANA alimwonyesha Daudi, mtumishi wake, na kwa watu wake, Israeli.