< Hosea 13 >
1 When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
Efraimu alipozungumza, kulikuwa na tetemeko. Alijikuza katika Israeli, lakini akawa na hatia kwa sababu ya ibada ya Baali, naye akafa.
2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
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 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the 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 from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me.
Lakini mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu weko, tangu nchi ya Misri. Hutamjua Mungu mwingine bali mimi; wala zaidi yangu, hakuna mkombozi mwingine.
5 I did know you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
Nilikujua jangwani, katika nchi yenye kame.
6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Wakati ulipokuwa na malisho, ulishiba; na wakati uliposhiba, moyo wako ukainuliwa. Kwa sababu hiyo umenisahau.
7 Therefore I will be to them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
Nitakuwa kama simba; kama chui nitaangalia kando ya njia.
8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the lobe of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
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 O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in me is your help.
Nitawaangamiza, Israeli; nani atakayekusaidia?
10 I will be your king: where is any other that may save you in all your cities? and your judges of whom you said, Give me a king and princes?
Mfalme wako yuko wapi, ili akuokoe katika miji yako yote? Wako wapi wakuu, ambao kwao umeniambia hivi, 'Nipe mfalme na wakuu'?
11 I gave you a king in my anger, and took him away in my wrath.
Nimekupa mfalme kwa hasira yangu, nikamchukua kwa ghadhabu yangu.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
Uovu wa Efraimu umehifadhiwa; hatia yake imehifadhiwa.
13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come on him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
Atakuwa na uchungu wa kujifungua, lakini ni mwana mjinga, kwa maana wakati wa kuzaliwa, hatatoka tumboni.
14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be your plagues; O grave, I will be your destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes. (Sheol )
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 )
15 Though he be fruitful among his brothers, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
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 shall become desolate; for she has rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Samaria itakuwa na hatia, kwa sababu amemuasi dhidi ya Mungu wake. Wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wadogo watavunjwa, na wanawake wao wajawazito watatambuliwa wazi.