Ezekiel 20
1 And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
Ikawa ikaja katika mwaka wa saba, siku ya kumi ya mwezi wa tano, wazee wa Israeli wakaja kumuuliza Yahwe na kuketi mbele yangu.
2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying:
Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
3 'Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Are ye come to inquire of Me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
“mwanadamu, tangaza kwa wazee wa Israeli na uwaambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Mmekuja kuniuliza swali? Kama niishivyo, sitaulizwa swali na ninyi! -hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.'
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;
Je! Utawahukumu? Utamuhukumu, mwanadamu? Wajulishe kuhusu machukizo ya baba zao.
5 and say unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up My hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made Myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up My hand unto them, saying: I am the LORD your God;
Waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika siku niliyoichagua Israeli na kuinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa uzao wa nyumba ya Yakobo, na kufanya kujulikana mimi mwenyewe kwao katika nchi ya Misri, wakati nilipoinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao. Nalisema, “Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu”-
6 in that day I lifted up My hand unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had sought out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the beauty of all lands;
siku hiyo niliinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa ajili yao kwamba nitawatoa kutoka nchi ya Misri kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimeichagua kwa umakini kwa ajili yao. Ilikuwa ikitiririka maziwa na asali; ilikuwa nzuri sana utukufu miongoni mwa nchi mbali mbali.
7 and I said unto them: Cast ye away every man the detestable things of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
Nikawaambia, “Kila mtu atupilie mabli mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake na sanamu za Misri. Msijitie unajisi; mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
8 But they rebelled against Me, and would not hearken unto Me; they did not every man cast away the detestable things of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt; then I said I would pour out My fury upon them, to spend My anger upon them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
Lakini wameasi juu yangu hawakuwa tayari kunisikiliza. Kila mtu hakutupilia mbali mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake wala kwa ajili ya sanamu za Misri, hivyo nikaona nimwage ghadhabu yangu juu yao kukamilisha hasira yangu miongoni mwao katikati ya nchi ya Misri.
9 But I wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among whom they were, in whose sight I made Myself known unto them, so as to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt.
Nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu ili lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa ambao walikaa pamoja nao. Nilijifanya mwenyewe kujulikana kwao, katika macho yao, kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
10 So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
Basi nikawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta kwenye jangwa.
11 And I gave them My statutes, and taught them Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them.
Kisha nikawapa amri zangu na kufanya maagizo yangu kujulikana kwao, kwa kila mwanadamu atakayezishika ataishi.
12 Moreover also I gave them My sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
Pia nikawapatia Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu na wao, ili wajue kwamba mimi ni Yahwe niwafanyao wawe watakatifu.
13 But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they walked not in My statutes, and they rejected Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them, and My sabbaths they greatly profaned; then I said I would pour out My fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
Lakini nyumba ya Israeli imeasi dhidi yangu jangwani. Hawakuenenda katika amri zangu; badala yake, wameyakataa maagizo yangu, ambayo mwanadamu ataishi kama akiyatii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu sana, basi nikasema nitamwaga hasira yangu juu yao jangwani ili kuwamalliza.
14 But I wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
Lakini nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu hivyo lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa, ambao niliwatoa mbele ya macho yao kutoka Misri.
15 Yet also I lifted up My hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the beauty of all lands;
Basi mimi mwenyewe pia nimeinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao jangwani sitawarudisha kwenye nchi ile niliyokuwa naenda kuwapatia, nchi inayotiririkayo maziwa na asali, ambayo ilikuwa nzuri sana ambayo ni nzuri kati ya nchi zote.
16 because they rejected Mine ordinances, and walked not in My statutes, and profaned My sabbaths — for their heart went after their idols.
Nimeapa hivi kwa sababu walikataa maagizo yangu na kutotembea katika amri zangu, na wazikufuru Sabato zangu.
17 Nevertheless Mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.
Lakini jicho langu likawahurumia kutokana na uharibifu na sikuwaangamiza jangwani.
18 And I said unto their children in the wilderness: Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols;
Nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, “Msitembee kutokana na amri za wazazi wenu; msiweke maagizo yao au kujinajisi wenyewe kwa sanamu.
19 I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them;
Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu, tembeeni katika amri zangu; tunzeni maagizo yangu na kuyatii.
20 and hallow My sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
Zitunzeni Sabato zangu takatifu ili kwamba zitakuwa ishara kati yangu na ninyi, hivyo basi mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
21 But the children rebelled against Me; they walked not in My statutes, neither kept Mine ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live by them; they profaned My sabbaths; then I said I would pour out My fury upon them, to spend My anger upon them in the wilderness.
Lakini watoto wao waliniasi. Hawakutembea kwenye sheria zangu au kushika maagizo yangu, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kama akizitii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu, hivyo nimeamua kumwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao kutimiza ghadhabu yangu dhidi yao katika jangwa.
22 Nevertheless I withdrew My hand, and wrought for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
Lakini niliurudisha mkono wangu na kutenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, hivyo lisitiwe unajisi katika macho ya mataifa ambao mbele ya macho yao niliwatoa Waisraeli.
23 I lifted up My hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;
Mimi mwenyewe pia nimeuinua mkono wangu kuapa juu yao jangwani, kwamba nitawatawanya kati ya maifa na kuwatawanya miongoni mwa nchi mabali mbali.
24 because they had not executed Mine ordinances, but had rejected My statutes, and had profaned My sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
Nimeamua kufanya hivi kwa kuwa hawakuzitii amri zangu, na tangu walipo zikataa sheria zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu. Macho yao yalizitamani sanamu za baba zao.
25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and ordinances whereby they should not live;
Kisha niliwapa amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri, na maagizo ambayo hawakuweza kuishi kwayo.
26 and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they set apart all that openeth the womb, that I might destroy them, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
Nikawafanya unajisi kwa zawadi zao wakati walipofanya dhabihu za kila limbuko la tumbo la uzazi na kutupa kwenye moto. Nalifanya hivi ili kuwaogofya hivyo wangeweza kujua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe!'
27 Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed Me, in that they dealt treacherously with Me.
Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu, waambie nyumba ya Israeli na waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika hili pia baba zenu walinikufuru wakati walipokuwa sio waaminifu kwangu.
28 For when I had brought them into the land, which I lifted up My hand to give unto them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering, there also they made their sweet savour, and there they poured out their drink-offerings.
Wakati nilipowaleta kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimewaapia kuwapatia, na kisha popote walipoona jiwe lolote refu na mti wenye majani, walitoa sadaka zao, walinikasirisha kwa sadaka zao, na huko pia walichoma ubani wao wa kunukia na kumwaga sadaka zao za kinywaji.
29 Then I said unto them: What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
Kisha nikawaambia, “Nini maana ya mahali palipoinuka ambapo mmeleta sadaka huko?” Hivyo jina lake linaitwa Bana hata leo.'
30 Wherefore say unto the house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord GOD: When ye pollute yourselves after the manner of your fathers, and go after their abominations,
Kwa hiyo waambie nyumba ya Israeli, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Kwa nini unajinajisi mwenyewe kwa njia za baba zako? Kwahiyo kwa nini unatenda kama makahaba, kutafuta kwa ajili ya mambo ya machukizo?
31 and when, in offering your gifts, in making your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, unto this day; shall I then be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you;
Kwa kuwa wakati mtoapo zawadi zenu na kuwaweka watoto wenu kwenye moto, siku hii mnajitia unajisi pamoja na sanamu zenu zote. Kwa hiyo kwa nini niwaache mniulize mimi, nyumba ya Israeli? Kama niishivyo-Hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Sitawaacha mniulize swali.
32 and that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all; in that ye say: We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
Mawazo yanayoumbika kwenye moyo wako hayatatokea kamwe. Mmesema, “Ngoja tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama koo za nchi nyingine waabuduo mti na jiwe.”
33 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, will I be king over you;
Kama niishivyo-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Nitatawala hakika juu yenu kwa mkono wenye nguvu, mkono ulionyooshwa, na ghadhabu itakayomwagwa juu yenu.
34 and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out;
Nitawatoa kutoka kwa watu wengine na kuwakusanya kutoka kwenye nchi mlizotawanyika ndani mwao. Nitafanya hivi kwa mkono hodari na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika.
35 and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I plead with you face to face.
Kisha nitawaleta kwenye jangwa la watu, na huko nitawahukumu uso kwa uso.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
Kama nilivyo wahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, hivyo pia nitawahukumu-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, na nitawafanya kutii maagizo yangu ya agano.
38 and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against Me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Nitawasafisha kutoka miongoni mwenu maasi na wale ambao walionichukiza. Nitawatoa kutoka nchi ambayo wanayoishi kama wageni, lakini hawataingia kwenye nchi ya Israeli. Kisha mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD: Go ye, serve every one his idols, even because ye will not hearken unto Me; but My holy name shall ye no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols.
Basi kwenu, nyumba ya Israeli, Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Kila mmoja wenu ataenda kwa sanamu zake mwenyewe. Muwaabudu kama mtakataa kunisikiliza, lakini hamtalikufuru tena jina langu takatifu kwa zawadi zenu na sanamu zenu.
40 For in My holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve Me in the land; there will I accept them, and there will I require your heave-offerings, and the first of your gifts, with all your holy things.
Kwa kuwa juu ya mlima wangu mtakatifu, juu ya kilele cha mlima wa Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-wote wa nyumba ya Israeli mtaniabudu huko katika nchi. Nitabarikiwa kwa kutaka sadaka zenu huko, na pia malimbuko yenu ya shukrani pamoja na vitu vyenu vyote vitakatifu.
41 With your sweet savour will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
Nitawapokea kama harufu nzuri ya ubani wakati nitakapowatoa kutoka wale watu na kuwakusanya toka nchi ambazo mlizotawanyika. Nitajifunua mimi mwenyewe kama mtakatifu ndani yenu kwa ajili ya mataifa waone.
42 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I lifted up My hand to give unto your fathers.
Kisha, wakati nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, kwenye nchi ambayo niliuinulia mkono wangu kuapa kuwapatia baba zenu, mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have polluted yourselves; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
Kisha mtazikumbuka njia zenu mbaya huko, na matendo yenu yote machafu mliyoyafanya wenyewe, na mtajichukia wenyewe katika macho yenu kwa matendo yenu yote maovu mliyoyafanya.
44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.'
Hivyo mtajua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe nifanyapo haya kwenu kwa ajili ya jina langu, sio kwa njia zenu mbaya au matendo yenu mabovu, nyumba ya Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.”'
45 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying:
Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
46 'Son of man, set thy face toward the South, and preach toward the South, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;
“Mwanadamu, weka uso wako kuelekea nchi za kusini, na kuongea juu ya kusini; tabiri juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
47 and say to the forest of the South: Hear the word of the LORD: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree, it shall not be quenched, even a flaming flame; and all faces from the south to the north shall be seared thereby.
Uuambie msitu wa Negebu, 'Hivi ndivyo Yahwe asemavyo-Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Tazama, nitaweka moto ndani yako. Utakula kila mti mbichi na kila mti mkavu ndani yako. Miali ya moto haitazimika; na kila uso utokao kusini hata kaskazini utateketezwa kwa moto.
48 And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.'
Kisha watu wote wenye mwili watajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe nimeuwasha moto, na hautazimika.”'
49 Then said I: 'Ah Lord GOD! they say of me: Is he not a maker of parables?'
Kisha nimesema, Ee! Bwana Yahwe, Wananisema mimi, 'Je! yeye sio mwenye kusema mafumbo?”'
