Hosea 13
1 When Ephraim spoke, they were feared, for they were the leading tribe in Israel. But when they were guilty of Baal worship, they died.
Wakati Efraimu alipozungumza, watu walitetemeka, alikuwa ametukuzwa katika Israeli. Lakini alikuwa na hatia ya kumwabudu Baali naye akafa.
2 Now they constantly sin, making for themselves idols from molten metal. All of these idols are skillfully made from silver by their craftsmen. “Offer sacrifices to these idols,” say the people. “Kiss the bull calf idols.”
Sasa wanatenda dhambi zaidi na zaidi; wanajitengenezea sanamu kutokana na fedha yao, vinyago vilivyotengenezwa kwa uhodari, vyote kazi ya fundi stadi. Inasemekana kuhusu hawa watu, “Hutoa dhabihu za binadamu na kubusu sanamu za ndama.”
3 Consequently they will be like the morning mist, like early morning dew, like chaff blowing away from the threshing floor, like smoke from a chimney.
Kwa hiyo watakuwa kama ukungu wa asubuhi, kama umande wa alfajiri utowekao, kama makapi yapeperushwayo kutoka sakafu ya kupuria nafaka, kama moshi utorokao kupitia dirishani.
4 Yet I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall know no other gods but me. None can save you except me.
“Bali mimi ndimi Bwana Mungu wenu, niliyewaleta ninyi toka Misri. Msimkubali Mungu mwingine ila mimi, hakuna Mwokozi isipokuwa mimi.
5 I looked after you in the wilderness; in that dry desert land it was like pasture to them
Niliwatunza huko jangwani, katika nchi yenye joto liunguzalo.
6 and they were satisfied. But when they were satisfied they became arrogant, and they forgot me.
Nilipowalisha, walishiba, waliposhiba, wakajivuna, kisha wakanisahau mimi.
7 So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lie in wait beside the path.
Kwa hiyo nitakuja juu yao kama simba, kama chui nitawavizia kando ya njia.
8 I will be like a mother bear whose cubs have been taken, I will rip out their hearts. I shall devour them like a lion, like a wild beast I will tear them apart.
Kama dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, nitawashambulia na kurarua vifua vyenu. Kama simba nitawala; mnyama pori atawararua vipande vipande.
9 You have destroyed yourselves, Israel, for your only help is in me.
“Ee Israeli, umeangamizwa, kwa sababu wewe u kinyume nami, kinyume na msaidizi wako.
10 Where then is your king? Let him save you in all your cities! Where are your leaders who demanded a king and princes from me?
Yuko wapi mfalme wako, ili apate kukuokoa? Wako wapi watawala wako katika miji yako yote ambao ulisema kuwahusu, ‘Nipe mfalme na wakuu’?
11 In my anger I give you a king, and in my fury I take one.
Hivyo katika hasira yangu nilikupa mfalme na katika ghadhabu yangu nilimwondoa.
12 Ephraim's guilt is packed up; their sin will be eradicated.
Kosa la Efraimu limehifadhiwa, dhambi zake zimewekwa katika kumbukumbu.
13 The pain of childbirth has come to them, trying to give birth to a son who is not “wise” because he is not in the right position when the time comes.
Utungu kama wa mwanamke anayejifungua mtoto humjia, lakini yeye ni mtoto asiyekuwa na hekima; wakati utakapowadia hatatoka katika tumbo la mama yake.
14 I shall redeem them from the power of Sheol; I shall deliver them from death. Where, death, are your plagues? Where, Sheol, is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my sight. (Sheol h7585)
“Nitawakomboa watu hawa kutoka nguvu za kaburi, nitawakomboa kutoka mautini. Yako wapi, ee mauti, mateso yako? Uko wapi, ee kuzimu, uharibifu wako? “Sitakuwa na huruma, (Sheol h7585)
15 Even though they flourish among the reeds, an east wind will come, a wind from the Lord that rises in the desert will dry up their springs and their wells will fail. It will rob from their treasury everything of value.
hata ingawa Efraimu atastawi miongoni mwa ndugu zake. Upepo wa mashariki kutoka kwa Bwana utakuja, ukivuma kutoka jangwani, chemchemi yake haitatoa maji na kisima chake kitakauka. Ghala lake litatekwa hazina zake zote.
16 Samaria will have to bear the consequences of their guilt, because they rebelled against her God. They will be slaughtered by the sword; their children will be dashed to the ground; their pregnant women will be ripped open.
Watu wa Samaria ni lazima wabebe hatia yao, kwa sababu wameasi dhidi ya Mungu wao. Wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wadogo watatupwa kwa nguvu ardhini, wanawake wao walio na mimba watatumbuliwa.”
