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.
Efraimu alipozungumza, kulikuwa na tetemeko. Alijikuza katika Israeli, lakini akawa na hatia kwa sababu ya ibada ya 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 wanafanya dhambi zaidi na zaidi. Wanatengeneza sanamu za chuma kutoka kwenye fedha zao, sanamu kwa kadiri ya ufanisi wao, zote ni kazi ya mafundi. Watu wanasema juu yao, 'Watu hawa watoao dhabihu na kumbusu 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 mawingu ya asubuhi, kama umande unaoondoka mapema, kama makapi yanayotokana na upepo kutoka kwenye sakafu, na kama moshi utokao kwenye bomba.
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.
Lakini mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu weko, tangu nchi ya Misri. Hutamjua Mungu mwingine bali mimi; wala zaidi yangu, hakuna mkombozi mwingine.
5 I looked after you in the wilderness; in that dry desert land it was like pasture to them
Nilikujua jangwani, katika nchi yenye kame.
6 and they were satisfied. But when they were satisfied they became arrogant, and they forgot me.
Wakati ulipokuwa na malisho, ulishiba; na wakati uliposhiba, moyo wako ukainuliwa. Kwa sababu hiyo umenisahau.
7 So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lie in wait beside the path.
Nitakuwa kama simba; kama chui nitaangalia 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.
Nitawaangamiza kama dubu aliyenyang'anywa watoto wake. Nami nitararua vifua vyao, na huko nitawaangamiza kama simba, kama vile mnyama wa mwitu atakayerarua vipande vipande.
9 You have destroyed yourselves, Israel, for your only help is in me.
Nitawaangamiza, Israeli; nani atakayekusaidia?
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?
Mfalme wako yuko wapi, ili akuokoe katika miji yako yote? Wako wapi wakuu, ambao kwao umeniambia hivi, 'Nipe mfalme na wakuu'?
11 In my anger I give you a king, and in my fury I take one.
Nimekupa mfalme kwa hasira yangu, nikamchukua kwa ghadhabu yangu.
12 Ephraim's guilt is packed up; their sin will be eradicated.
Uovu wa Efraimu umehifadhiwa; hatia yake imehifadhiwa.
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.
Atakuwa na uchungu wa kujifungua, lakini ni mwana mjinga, kwa maana wakati wa kuzaliwa, hatatoka tumboni.
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)
Je, nitawaokoa na mkono wa kaburi? Je, nitawaokoa na kifo? Ewe Mauti yako wapi mapigo yako? Ewe kaburi kuko wapi kuharibu kwako? Huruma itafichwa na macho yangu. (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.
Ingawa Efraimu anafanikiwa kati ya ndugu zake, upepo wa mashariki utakuja; upepo wa Bwana utapiga kutoka jangwani. Kijito cha maji cha Efraimu kitauka, na kisima chake hakitakuwa na maji. Adui yake atapora ghala lake la kila kitu cha thamani.
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.
Samaria itakuwa na hatia, kwa sababu amemuasi dhidi ya Mungu wake. Wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wadogo watavunjwa, na wanawake wao wajawazito watatambuliwa wazi.
