< Jeremiah 50 >
1 The word that the Lord spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by means of Jeremiah the prophet.
Hili ndilo neno alilosema Bwana kupitia nabii Yeremia kuhusu Babeli na nchi ya Wakaldayo:
2 Announce ye among the nations, and publish, and lift up a standard; publish, conceal not; say, Babylon is captured, Bel is put to shame, Merodach is broken in pieces; put to shame are her idols; broken in pieces are her images.
“Tangazeni na mhubiri katikati ya mataifa, twekeni bendera na mkahubiri; msiache kitu chochote, bali semeni, ‘Babeli utatekwa; Beli ataaibishwa, Merodaki atajazwa na hofu kuu. Sanamu zake zitaaibishwa na vinyago vyake vitajazwa hofu kuu.’
3 For there is come up against her a nation out of the north, which will change her land into a desert, so that there shall not be any one dwelling therein: both man and beast are fled away, they are departed.
Taifa kutoka kaskazini litamshambulia, na kuifanya nchi yake ukiwa. Hakuna hata mmoja atakayeishi ndani yake, watu na wanyama wataikimbia.
4 In those days, and at that time, saith the Lord, shall the children of Israel come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping shall they go, and the Lord their God shall they seek.
“Katika siku hizo, wakati huo,” asema Bwana, “watu wa Israeli pamoja na watu wa Yuda wataenda wakilia ili kumtafuta Bwana Mungu wao.
5 After Zion shall they ask, with their faces on the way thitherward, [saying, ] Come: and they will join themselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Wataiuliza njia iendayo Sayuni na kuelekeza nyuso zao huko. Watakuja na kuambatana na Bwana katika agano la milele ambalo halitasahaulika.
6 Lost sheep were my people; their shepherds had caused them to go astray, they had let them roam wildly on the mountains: from mountain to hill did they go, they forgot their resting-place.
“Watu wangu wamekuwa kondoo waliopotea; wachungaji wao wamewapotosha na kuwasababisha kuzurura juu ya milima. Walitangatanga juu ya mlima na kilima, na kusahau mahali pao wenyewe pa kupumzikia.
7 All that found them devoured them; and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of righteousness, and the hope of their fathers, the Lord.
Yeyote aliyewakuta aliwala; adui zao walisema, ‘Sisi hatuna hatia, kwa kuwa wao walitenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana, malisho yao halisi, Bwana, aliye tumaini la baba zao.’
8 Fly away out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be ye as the he-goats before the flocks.
“Kimbieni kutoka Babeli; ondokeni katika nchi ya Wakaldayo tena kuweni kama mbuzi wale waongozao kundi.
9 For, lo, I will awaken and cause to come up against Babylon an assemblage of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in battle-array against her; from there shall she be captured: their arrows are as those of a skilful mighty one, none of which ever returneth in vain.
Kwa maana nitaamsha na kuleta dhidi ya Babeli muungano wa mataifa makubwa kutoka nchi ya kaskazini. Watashika nafasi zao dhidi yake, naye kutokea kaskazini atatekwa. Mishale yao itakuwa kama mishale ya mashujaa walio hodari, ambao hawawezi kurudi mikono mitupu.
10 And Chaldea shall be given up to spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the Lord.
Kwa hiyo Ukaldayo utatekwa nyara; wote wamtekao nyara watapata za kutosha,” asema Bwana.
11 Though ye rejoice, though ye be glad, O ye plunderers of my heritage, though ye be grown fat as the heifer at grass, and neigh as stud-horses:
“Kwa sababu hushangilia na kufurahi, wewe utekaye urithi wangu, kwa sababu unachezacheza kama mtamba anayepura nafaka, na kulia kama farasi dume,
12 Your mother is made greatly ashamed; she that bore you is put to the blush; behold, the end of nations shall be wilderness, dry land, and desert.
mama yako ataaibika mno, yeye aliyekuzaa atatahayari. Atakuwa mdogo kuliko mataifa mengine yote, atakuwa nyika, nchi kame na jangwa.
13 Because of the wrath of the Lord shall it not be inhabited, and it shall be wholly desolate: every one that passeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss over all her wounds.
Kwa sababu ya hasira ya Bwana hatakaliwa na mtu, lakini ataachwa ukiwa kabisa. Wote watakaopita Babeli watatiwa hofu na kudhihaki kwa sababu ya majeraha yake yote.
14 Put yourselves in battle-array against Babylon round about, all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare not the arrows: for against the Lord hath she sinned.
“Shikeni nafasi zenu kuzunguka Babeli, enyi nyote mvutao upinde. Mpigeni! Msibakize mshale wowote, kwa kuwa ametenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana.
15 Shout against her round about; she hath stretched out her hand: fallen are her foundations, thrown down are her walls; for it is the vengeance of the Lord; take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, so do unto her.
Piga kelele dhidi yake kila upande! Anajisalimisha, minara yake inaanguka, kuta zake zimebomoka. Kwa kuwa hiki ni kisasi cha Bwana, mlipizeni kisasi; mtendeeni kama alivyowatendea wengine.
16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest; because of the wasting sword shall they turn about every one to his people, and every one to his own land shall they flee.
Katilieni mbali mpanzi kutoka Babeli, pamoja na mvunaji na mundu wake akivuna. Kwa sababu ya upanga wa mdhalimu kila mmoja na arejee kwa watu wake mwenyewe, kila mmoja na akimbilie kwenye nchi yake mwenyewe.
17 A scattered lamb is Israel; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria devoured him; and this last one broke his bones, [even] Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon.
“Israeli ni kundi lililotawanyika ambalo simba wamelifukuzia mbali. Wa kwanza kumla alikuwa mfalme wa Ashuru, wa mwisho kuponda mifupa yake alikuwa Nebukadneza mfalme wa Babeli.”
18 Therefore thus hath said the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will inflict punishment on the king of Babylon and on his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.
Kwa hiyo hili ndilo Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote, Mungu wa Israeli, asemalo: “Nitamwadhibu mfalme wa Babeli na nchi yake kama nilivyomwadhibu mfalme wa Ashuru.
19 And I will bring Israel back again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan: and upon the mountain of Ephraim and Gil'ad shall his soul be satisfied.
Lakini nitamrudisha Israeli katika malisho yake mwenyewe naye atalisha huko Karmeli na Bashani; njaa yake itashibishwa juu ya vilima vya Efraimu na Gileadi.
20 In those days, and at that time, saith the Lord, shall the iniquity of Israel be sought for, and it shall not be there; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I will leave remaining.
Katika siku hizo, wakati huo,” asema Bwana, “uchunguzi utafanyika kwa ajili ya kosa la Israeli, lakini halitakuwepo, kwa ajili ya dhambi za Yuda, lakini haitapatikana hata moja, kwa kuwa nitawasamehe mabaki nitakaowaacha.
21 Against the land of twofold rebellion—even against it go thou up, and against the inhabitants of the country of punishment: lay in ruins and utterly destroy their offspring, saith the Lord, and do in accordance with all that I have commanded thee.
“Shambulieni nchi ya Merathaimu na wale waishio huko Pekodi. Wafuatieni, waueni na kuwaangamiza kabisa,” asema Bwana. “Fanyeni kila kitu nilichowaamuru.
22 A sound of battle [is heard] in the land, and of great destruction.
Kelele ya vita iko ndani ya nchi, kelele ya maangamizi makuu!
23 How is cut asunder and broken the hammer of all the earth! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!
Tazama jinsi nyundo ya dunia yote ilivyovunjika na kuharibika! Tazama jinsi Babeli ilivyokuwa ukiwa miongoni mwa mataifa!
24 I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also captured, O Babylon, while thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hadst entered into a contest against the Lord.
Nimetega mtego kwa ajili yako, ee Babeli, nawe ukakamatwa kabla haujafahamu; ulipatikana na ukakamatwa kwa sababu ulimpinga Bwana.
25 The Lord hath opened his treasury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation; for it is a work for the Lord, the Eternal of hosts, in the land of the Chaldeans.
Bwana amefungua ghala lake la silaha na kuzitoa silaha za ghadhabu yake, kwa kuwa Bwana Mwenyezi Mwenye Nguvu Zote anayo kazi ya kufanya katika nchi ya Wakaldayo.
26 Come against her from the end of the earth, open her garners; tread her down as sheaves of corn, and destroy her utterly: let there not be left of her a remnant even.
Njooni dhidi yake kutoka mbali. Zifungueni ghala zake za nafaka; mlundikeni kama lundo la nafaka. Mwangamizeni kabisa na msimwachie mabaki yoyote.
27 Destroy all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: Woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.
Waueni mafahali wake wachanga wote; waacheni washuke machinjoni! Ole wao! Kwa kuwa siku yao imewadia, wakati wao wa kuadhibiwa.
28 There is the voice of those that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to tell in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, the vengeance for his temple.
Wasikilizeni watoro na wakimbizi kutoka Babeli wakitangaza katika Sayuni jinsi Bwana, Mungu wetu alivyolipiza kisasi, kisasi kwa ajili ya Hekalu lake.
29 Call together the archers against Babylon; all ye that bend the bow, encamp against her round about; let there be no escape for her: recompense her according to her work; in accordance with all that she hath done, do unto her; for against the Lord hath she acted presumptuously, against the Holy One of Israel.
“Waiteni wapiga mishale dhidi ya Babeli, wote wale wavutao upinde. Pigeni kambi kumzunguka kabisa, asitoroke mtu yeyote. Mlipizeni kwa matendo yake; mtendeeni kama alivyotenda. Kwa kuwa alimdharau Bwana, yeye Aliye Mtakatifu wa Israeli.
30 therefore shall her young men fall in her streets, and all her men of war shall perish on that day, saith the Lord.
Kwa hiyo, vijana wake wanaume wataanguka barabarani; askari wake wote watanyamazishwa siku ile,” asema Bwana.
31 Behold, I am against thee, O presumptuous one! saith the Lord, the Eternal of hosts; for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee [with punishment].
“Tazama, niko kinyume nawe, ewe mwenye majivuno,” asema Bwana, Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote, “kwa kuwa siku yako imewadia, yaani, wakati wako wa kuadhibiwa.
32 And the presumptuous shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all his environs.
Mwenye majivuno atajikwaa na kuanguka, wala hakuna yeyote atakayemuinua; nitawasha moto katika miji yake, utakaowateketeza wote wanaomzunguka.”
33 Thus hath said the Lord of hosts, The children of Israel and the children of Judah are oppressed together: and all that took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to dismiss them.
Hili ndilo asemalo Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote: “Watu wa Israeli wameonewa, nao watu wa Yuda pia. Wote waliowateka wamewashikilia sana, wanakataa kuwaachia waende.
34 Their Redeemer is strong; The Lord of hosts is his name: he will surely contend in their cause, in order that he may give rest to the land, and make the inhabitants of Babylon tremble.
Lakini Mkombozi wao ana nguvu; Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote ndilo jina lake. Atatetea kwa nguvu shauri lao ili alete raha katika nchi yao, lakini ataleta msukosuko kwa wale waishio Babeli.
35 The sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the Lord, and against the inhabitants of Babylon, and against her princes, and against her wise men.
“Upanga dhidi ya Wakaldayo!” asema Bwana, “dhidi ya wale waishio Babeli na dhidi ya maafisa wake na watu wenye busara!
36 The sword is against the lying soothsayers, and they shall be made foolish: the sword is against her mighty men, and they shall be dismayed.
Upanga dhidi ya manabii wake wa uongo! Watakuwa wapumbavu. Upanga dhidi ya mashujaa wake! Watajazwa na hofu kuu
37 The sword is against their horses, and against their chariots, and against all the confederates that are in the midst of her, and they shall become as women: the sword is against her treasures, and they shall be plundered.
Upanga dhidi ya farasi na magari yake ya vita pamoja na askari wake wote wa kigeni katika safu zake! Wao watakuwa kama wanawake. Upanga dhidi ya hazina zake! Hizo zitatekwa nyara.
38 The drought is against her waters, and they shall be dried up; for it is the land of graven images, and with their horrid idols do they play the madman.
Ukame juu ya maji yake! Nayo yatakauka. Kwa kuwa ni nchi ya sanamu, wao wanaenda wazimu kwa ajili ya sanamu.
39 Therefore shall martens dwell [there] with jackals, and the ostriches shall dwell therein: and it shall be not inhabited any more for ever; and it shall not be dwelt in from generation to generation.
“Kwa hiyo, viumbe vya jangwani na fisi wataishi humo, nao bundi watakaa humo. Kamwe haitakaliwa tena wala watu hawataishi humo kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
40 Like the overthrow by God of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors, saith the Lord, so shall no man dwell there, nor shall any son of man sojourn therein.
Kama vile Mungu alivyoangamiza Sodoma na Gomora pamoja na miji iliyokuwa jirani nayo,” asema Bwana, “vivyo hivyo hakuna mtu yeyote atakayeishi humo. Naam, hakuna mtu yeyote atakayekaa humo.
41 Behold, a people cometh from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be awakened from the farthest ends of the earth.
“Tazama! Jeshi linakuja kutoka kaskazini; taifa kubwa na wafalme wengi wanaamshwa kutoka miisho ya dunia.
42 Bow and lance do they firmly grasp; they are cruel, and show not any mercy; their voice roareth like the sea, and upon horses do they ride, placed in array, like one man, for the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
Wamejifunga pinde na mikuki; ni wakatili na wasio na huruma. Wanatoa sauti kama bahari inayonguruma wanapoendesha farasi zao; wanakuja kama watu waliojipanga tayari kwa vita ili kukushambulia, ee Binti Babeli.
43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands are grown feeble: anguish hath taken fast hold of him, pangs as of a woman in travail.
Mfalme wa Babeli amesikia habari kuwahusu, nayo mikono yake imelegea. Uchungu umemshika, maumivu kama ya mwanamke katika utungu wa kuzaa.
44 Behold, like a lion shall he come up from the overflow of the Jordan unto the strong habitation; for I will hasten them [and] make them suddenly prevail over her, and him who is chosen will I array against her; for who like me? and who will challenge me to battle? and who is that shepherd that can stand before me?
Kama simba anayepanda kutoka vichaka vya Yordani kuja kwenye nchi ya malisho mengi, ndivyo nitamfukuza Babeli kutoka nchi yake ghafula. Ni nani aliye mteule, nitakayemweka kwa ajili ya jambo hili? Ni nani aliye kama mimi, na ni nani awezaye kunipinga? Tena ni mchungaji yupi awezaye kusimama kinyume nami?”
45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the Lord, that he hath resolved against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall drag them away; surely he will devastate over them their habitation.
Kwa hiyo, sikia kile Bwana alichokipanga dhidi ya Babeli, kile alichokusudia dhidi ya nchi ya Wakaldayo: Aliye mchanga katika kundi ataburutwa mbali. Yeye ataharibu kabisa malisho yao kwa sababu yao.
46 At the noise of the conquest of Babylon the earth quaketh, and the outcry is heard among the nations.
Kwa sauti ya kutekwa kwa Babeli, dunia itatetemeka; kilio chake kitasikika pote miongoni mwa mataifa.