< 1 Kings 8 >

1 Then did Solomon assemble the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the divisions of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Kisha Mfalme Solomoni akawaita mbele zake huko Yerusalemu wazee wa Israeli, viongozi wote wa makabila na wakuu wa jamaa za Waisraeli, ili walilete Sanduku la Agano la Bwana kutoka Sayuni, Mji wa Daudi.
2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
Wanaume wote wa Israeli wakakusanyika kwa Mfalme Solomoni wakati wa sikukuu ya mwezi wa Ethanimu, ndio mwezi wa saba.
3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
Wazee wote wa Israeli walipofika, makuhani wakajitwika Sanduku la Agano,
4 And they brought up the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle: even these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
nao wakalipandisha Sanduku la Bwana, na Hema la Kukutania pamoja na vyombo vyote vitakatifu vilivyokuwa ndani yake. Makuhani na Walawi wakavibeba,
5 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
naye Mfalme Solomoni na kusanyiko lote la Israeli waliokusanyika kumzunguka walikuwa mbele ya hilo Sanduku, nao wakatoa dhabihu nyingi za kondoo na ngʼombe ambao idadi yao haikuwezekana kuandikwa au kuhesabiwa.
6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto its place, into the debir of the house, into the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim.
Makuhani wakalileta Sanduku la Agano la Bwana hadi mahali pake ndani ya sehemu takatifu ndani ya Hekalu, yaani Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, na kuliweka chini ya mabawa ya makerubi.
7 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its staves from above.
Makerubi yalitandaza mabawa yao juu ya mahali pa Sanduku la Agano na kutia kivuli Sanduku pamoja na mipiko yake ya kubebea.
8 And they had made the staves so long, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place in the front of the debir, but they were not seen without; and they have remained there until this day.
Mipiko hiyo ilikuwa mirefu sana kiasi kwamba ncha zake zilionekana kutoka Mahali Patakatifu mbele ya Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, lakini sio nje ya Mahali Patakatifu. Hiyo mipiko ipo hata leo.
9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses had placed therein at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
Ndani ya Sanduku hapakuwepo kitu kingine chochote isipokuwa zile mbao mbili za mawe ambazo Mose alikuwa ameziweka ndani yake huko Horebu, mahali ambapo Bwana alifanya Agano na Waisraeli baada ya kutoka Misri.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord:
Makuhani walipoondoka katika Mahali Patakatifu, wingu likajaza Hekalu la Bwana.
11 And the priests were not able to stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.
Nao makuhani hawakuweza kufanya huduma yao kwa sababu ya lile wingu, kwa kuwa utukufu wa Bwana ulijaza Hekalu lake.
12 Then said Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Ndipo Solomoni akasema, “Bwana alisema kwamba ataishi katika giza nene;
13 I have indeed built a dwelling-house for thee, a settled place for thy abode for ever.
naam, hakika nimekujengea Hekalu zuri sana, mahali pako pa kuishi milele.”
14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel was standing;
Kusanyiko lote la Israeli lilipokuwa limesimama hapo, mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki.
15 And he said, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, when he said,
Kisha akasema: “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye kwa mkono wake mwenyewe ametimiza lile alilomwahidi Daudi baba yangu kwa kinywa chake mwenyewe. Kwa kuwa alisema,
16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I did not make choice of any city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; but I made choice of David to be over my people Israel.
‘Tangu siku niliyowatoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji katika kabila lolote la Israeli ili Hekalu lijengwe humo ili Jina langu lipate kuwamo humo, bali nimemchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.’
17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.
“Ilikuwa moyoni mwa Daudi baba yangu kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.
18 But the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart:
Lakini Bwana akamwambia Daudi baba yangu, ‘Kwa sababu ilikuwa moyoni mwako kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu, ulifanya vyema kuwa na jambo hili moyoni mwako.
19 Nevertheless, thou shalt not thyself build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.
Hata hivyo, sio wewe utakayenijengea hekalu, bali mwanao, ambaye ni nyama yako na damu yako mwenyewe, yeye ndiye atakayejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu.’
20 And the Lord hath fulfilled his word that he hath spoken: and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord hath spoken, and I have built the house for the name of the Lord the God of Israel.
“Bwana ametimiza ahadi aliyoiweka: Nimeingia mahali pa Daudi baba yangu na sasa ninakikalia kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama vile Bwana alivyoahidi, nami nimejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.
21 And I have assigned there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt.
Nimetenga nafasi humo kwa ajili ya Sanduku la Agano, ambamo ndani yake kuna lile Agano la Bwana alilofanya na baba zetu wakati alipowatoa Misri.”
22 And Solomon now placed himself before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
Kisha Solomoni akasimama mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana machoni pa kusanyiko lote la Israeli, akakunjua mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni
23 And he said, O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no god like thee, in the heavens above, and on the earth beneath, thou who keepest the covenant and the kindness for thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart;
na kusema: “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni wala chini duniani, wewe unayetunza Agano lako la upendo na watumishi wanaodumu katika njia yako kwa moyo wote.
24 Who hast kept for thy servant David my father what thou hadst promised him; and thou spokest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day.
Umetimiza ahadi yako kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, kwa kinywa chako uliahidi na kwa mkono wako umetimiza, kama ilivyo leo.
25 And now, O Lord, the God of Israel, keep for thy servant David my father what thou hast spoken concerning him, saying, There shall never fail thee a man in my sight who sitteth on the throne of Israel; if thy children but take heed to their way to walk before me, as thou hast walked before me.
“Sasa Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, mtimizie mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ahadi zako ulizomwahidi uliposema, ‘Kamwe hutakosa kuwa na mtu atakayeketi mbele zangu kwenye kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama wanao wakiangalia yote wayafanyayo kuenenda mbele zangu kama vile ulivyofanya.’
26 And now, O God of Israel, I pray thee, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David my father.
Sasa, Ee Mungu wa Israeli, acha neno lako lile ulilomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu litimie.
27 For in truth will God then dwell on the earth? behold, the heavens and the heavens of heavens cannot contain thee: how much less then this house that I have built!
“Lakini kweli, je, Mungu atafanya makao duniani? Mbingu, hata mbingu zilizo juu sana, haziwezi kukutosha wewe. Sembuse Hekalu hili nililojenga!
28 Yet wilt thou turn thy regard unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to listen unto the entreaty and unto the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today;
Hata hivyo sikiliza dua ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake kwa huruma, Ee Bwana Mungu wangu. Sikia kilio na dua ambayo mtumishi wako anaomba mbele zako siku hii ya leo.
29 That thy eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there; that thou mayest listen unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray at this place.
Macho yako na yafumbuke kuelekea Hekalu hili usiku na mchana, mahali hapa ambapo ulisema, ‘Jina langu litakuwako humo,’ ili kwamba upate kusikia maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba kuelekea mahali hapa.
30 And listen thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they will pray at this place: and oh, do thou hear in heaven thy dwelling-place; and hear, and forgive.
Usikie maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli wakati wanapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa. Sikia kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako na usikiapo, samehe.
31 If any man trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thy altar in this house:
“Mtu anapomkosea jirani yake na akatakiwa kuapa, akija na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako ndani ya Hekalu hili,
32 Then do thou hear in heaven, and act, and judge thy servants, by condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and by justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
basi, sikia kutoka mbinguni na ukatende. Hukumu kati ya watumishi wako, ukimhukumu yule mwenye hatia na kuleta juu ya kichwa chake yale aliyoyatenda. Umtangazie mwenye haki kwamba hana hatia, hivyo ukathibitishe kuwa haki kwake.
33 When thy people Israel are struck down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and they return then to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
“Wakati watu wako Israeli watakapokuwa wameshindwa na adui kwa sababu ya dhambi walizofanya dhidi yako, watakapokugeukia na kulikiri jina lako, wakiomba na kufanya dua kwako katika Hekalu hili,
34 Then do thou hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and cause them to return unto the land which thou hast given unto their fathers.
basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, ukasamehe dhambi ya watu wako Israeli na kuwarudisha katika nchi uliyowapa baba zao.
35 When the heavens be shut up, and there be no rain, because they have sinned against thee, and they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, because thou hast afflicted them:
“Wakati mbingu zitakapokuwa zimefungwa kusiwe na mvua kwa sababu watu wako wametenda dhambi dhidi yako, watakapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa na kulikiri jina lako nao wakageuka kutoka dhambi zao kwa sababu umewaadhibu,
36 Then do thou hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel; for thou wilt teach them the good way wherein they should walk; and give then rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
basi usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi ya watumishi wako, watu wako Israeli. Wafundishe njia sahihi ya kuishi na ukanyeshe mvua juu ya nchi uliyowapa watu wako kuwa urithi.
37 If there be a famine in the land, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, or if there be locust, caterpillar, if their enemy besiege them in the land of their gates; at whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness;
“Wakati njaa au tauni vikija juu ya nchi, au koga au kawa, nzige au panzi, au wakati adui atakapowazingira katika mji wao wowote, maafa ya namna yoyote au ugonjwa wowote unaoweza kuwajia,
38 What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, of all thy people Israel, when they shall be conscious every man of the plague of his own heart, and he then spread forth his hands toward this house:
wakati dua au maombi yatakapofanywa na mmojawapo wa watu wako Israeli, kila mmoja akitambua taabu za moyo wake mwenyewe, naye akainyoosha mikono yake kuelekea Hekalu hili:
39 Then do thou hear in heaven the place of thy dwelling, and forgive, and act, and give to every man in accordance with all his ways, as thou mayest know his heart; for thou, thyself alone, knowest the heart of all the children of men;
basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, katika makao yako. Usamehe na utende, umpe kila mtu kulingana na matendo yake, kwa kuwa unaujua moyo wake (kwa kuwa ni wewe peke yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu wote),
40 In order that they may fear thee all the days that they live on the face of the land which thou hast given unto our fathers.
ili wakuogope kwa wakati wote watakaoishi katika nchi uliyowapa baba zetu.
41 But also to the stranger, who is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far-off country for the sake of thy name;
“Kwa habari ya mgeni ambaye si miongoni mwa watu wako Israeli, lakini amekuja kutoka nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako,
42 For they will hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy outstretched arm; when he will come and pray at this house:
kwa maana watu watasikia juu ya Jina lako kuu na juu ya mkono wako wenye nguvu na mkono wako ulionyooshwa, atakapokuja na kuomba kuelekea Hekalu hili,
43 Mayest thou listen in heaven the place of thy dwelling, and do according to all that the stranger will call on thee for; in order that all the nations of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may understand that this house, which I have built, is called by thy name.
basi na usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, ukafanye lolote ambalo mgeni huyo anakuomba, ili mataifa yote ya dunia wapate kujua jina lako na wakuogope kama wafanyavyo watu wako Israeli nao wapate pia kujua kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga imeitwa kwa Jina lako.
44 If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, on the way on which thou mayest send them, and they do pray unto the Lord in the direction of the city which thou hast chosen, and of the house that I have built for thy name:
“Wakati watu wako watakapokwenda vitani dhidi ya adui zao, popote utakapowapeleka, wakati watakapoomba kwa Bwana kuelekea mji ambao umeuchagua, na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako,
45 Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and procure them justice.
basi usikie dua na maombi yao kutoka mbinguni, ukawatetee haki yao.
46 If they sin against thee, [for there is no man that may not sin, ] and thou be angry with them, and give them up before the enemy, so that their captors carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, [be it] far or near;
“Watakapotenda dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye hatendi dhambi, nawe ukachukizwa nao na kuwakabidhi kwa adui, ambaye atawachukua utumwani katika nchi yake mwenyewe, mbali au karibu;
47 And if they then take it to their heart in the land whither they have been carried captive, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, we have acted wickedly;
na kama watabadilika mioyo yao katika nchi wanakoshikiliwa mateka, nao wakatubu na kukulilia katika nchi ya wale waliowashinda na kusema, ‘Tumetenda dhambi, tumefanya makosa, tumetenda uovu’;
48 And they return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who have led them away captive, and they pray unto thee in the direction of their land, which thou hast given unto their fathers, of the city which thou hast chosen, and of the house which I have built for thy name:
kama wakikugeukia kwa moyo wao wote na nafsi zao katika nchi ya adui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, wakakuomba kuelekea nchi uliyowapa baba zao, kuelekea mji uliouchagua na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako;
49 Then hear thou in heaven the place of thy dwelling their prayer and their supplication, and procure them justice;
basi kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, usikie dua yao na maombi yao na kuitetea haki yao.
50 And forgive thy people for what they have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions whereby they have transgressed against thee, and cause them to find mercy before their captors, that they may have mercy on them;
Uwasamehe watu wako, waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako; uwasamehe makosa yote waliyoyatenda dhidi yako, ukawafanye wale waliowashinda kuwaonea huruma;
51 For they are thy people, and thy heritage, whom thou hast brought forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace;
kwa maana ni watu wako na urithi wako, uliowatoa Misri, kutoka kwenye lile tanuru la kuyeyushia chuma.
52 That thy eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to listen unto them in all for which they call unto thee;
“Macho yako na yafumbuke juu ya ombi la mtumishi wako na ombi la watu wako Israeli, nawe uwasikilize wakati wowote wanapokulilia.
53 For thou hast separated them unto thee as a heritage from all the people of the earth, as thou spokest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Eternal.
Kwa maana uliwachagua wao kutoka mataifa yote ya ulimwengu kuwa urithi wako mwenyewe, kama ulivyotangaza kupitia mtumishi wako Mose wakati wewe, Ee Bwana Mwenyezi, ulipowatoa baba zetu kutoka Misri.”
54 And it happened, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord from kneeling on his knees, with his hands spread out toward heaven.
Wakati Solomoni alipomaliza dua hizi zote na maombi kwa Bwana, akainuka kutoka mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana, mahali alipokuwa amepiga magoti, mikono yake ikawa imekunjuliwa kuelekea juu mbinguni.
55 And he stood up, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
Akasimama na kubariki kusanyiko lote la Israeli kwa sauti kubwa akisema:
56 Blessed be the Lord, who hath given rest unto his people Israel, in accordance with all that he hath spoken: [so that] there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he spoke by the hand of Moses his servant.
“Ahimidiwe Bwana, aliyewapa pumziko watu wake Israeli kama vile alivyokuwa ameahidi. Hakuna hata neno moja lililopunguka kati ya ahadi zote nzuri alizozitoa kupitia mtumishi wake Mose.
57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; oh may he not leave us, nor forsake us;
Bwana Mungu wetu na awe pamoja nasi kama alivyokuwa na baba zetu, kamwe asituache wala kutukataa.
58 That he may incline our heart unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.
Yeye na aielekeze mioyo yetu kwake, ili tutembee katika njia zake zote na kuzishika amri na maagizo na masharti aliyowapa baba zetu.
59 And may these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel in their daily requirements;
Nami maneno yangu haya, ambayo nimeyaomba mbele za Bwana, yawe karibu na Bwana Mungu wetu usiku na mchana, ili kwamba atetee shauri la mtumishi wake na la watu wake Israeli kulingana na hitaji lao la kila siku,
60 In order that all the nations of the earth may know that the Lord is the [true] God, and none else.
ili kwamba mataifa yote ya dunia wajue kwamba Bwana ndiye Mungu na kwamba hakuna mwingine.
61 Let your heart therefore be entire with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Lakini ni lazima mwiweke mioyo yenu kikamilifu kwa Bwana Mungu wetu, kuishi kwa maagizo yake na kutii amri zake, kama ilivyo wakati huu.”
62 And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifices before the Lord.
Kisha mfalme na Israeli wote pamoja naye wakatoa dhabihu mbele za Bwana.
63 And Solomon offered [as] the sacrifice of peace-offering which he offered unto the Lord, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. And thus did the king and all the children of Israel dedicate the house of the Lord.
Solomoni akatoa dhabihu sadaka za amani kwa Bwana: ngʼombe 22,000, pamoja na kondoo na mbuzi 120,000. Hivyo ndivyo mfalme na Waisraeli wote walivyoweka wakfu Hekalu la Bwana.
64 On the same day did the king hallow the interior of the court that was before the house of the Lord; for he prepared there the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the copper altar that was before the Lord was too small to contain the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings.
Siku iyo hiyo mfalme akaweka wakfu sehemu ya katikati ya ua uliokuwa mbele ya Hekalu la Bwana na hapo akatoa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka za amani, kwa sababu madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele za Bwana ilikuwa ndogo sana kuweza kubeba sadaka hizo za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka ya amani.
65 And Solomon held at that time the feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from the entrance of Chamath unto the river of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.
Hivyo Solomoni akaiadhimisha sikukuu kwa wakati ule, na Israeli wote pamoja naye. Walikuwa kusanyiko kubwa sana, watu kutoka Lebo-Hamathi hadi Kijito cha Misri. Wakaiadhimisha mbele za Bwana Mungu wetu kwa siku saba na siku saba zaidi, yaani, jumla siku kumi na nne.
66 On the eighth day he dismissed the people, and they blessed the king; and they went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart, because of all the good that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.
Siku iliyofuata, aliwaruhusu watu waondoke. Wakambariki mfalme, kisha wakaenda nyumbani, wakiwa na mashangilio na furaha rohoni kwa ajili ya mambo yote mema ambayo Bwana ametenda kwa ajili ya Daudi mtumishi wake na watu wake Israeli.

< 1 Kings 8 >