Hosea 12
1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Efraimu anajilisha upepo; hufukuzia upepo wa mashariki kutwa nzima na kuzidisha uongo na jeuri. Anafanya mkataba na Ashuru na kutuma mafuta ya zeituni Misri.
2 Jehovah also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways and according to his deeds he will repay him.
Bwana analo shtaka dhidi ya Yuda, atamwadhibu Yakobo kwa kadiri ya njia zake na kumlipa kwa kadiri ya matendo yake.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.
Yakobo akiwa tumboni alishika kisigino cha kaka yake; kama mwanadamu, alishindana na Mungu.
4 Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made petition to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him,
Alishindana na malaika na kumshinda; alilia na kuomba upendeleo wake. Alimkuta huko Betheli na kuzungumza naye huko:
5 even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his name of renown.
Bwana Mungu Mwenye Nguvu Zote, Bwana ndilo jina lake!
6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
Lakini ni lazima urudi kwa Mungu wako; dumisha upendo na haki, nawe umngojee Mungu wako siku zote.
7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
Mfanyabiashara hutumia vipimo vya udanganyifu; hupenda kupunja.
8 Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."
Efraimu hujisifu akisema, “Mimi ni tajiri sana; nimetajirika. Pamoja na utajiri wangu wote hawatakuta ndani yangu uovu wowote au dhambi.”
9 "But I Jehovah your God brought you up from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
“Mimi ndimi Bwana Mungu wenu niliyewaleta kutoka Misri; nitawafanya mkae tena kwenye mahema, kama vile katika siku za sikukuu zenu zilizoamriwa.
10 I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
Niliongea na manabii, nikawapa maono mengi na kusema mifano kupitia wao.”
11 If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.
Je, Gileadi si mwovu? Watu wake hawafai kitu! Je, hawatoi dhabihu za mafahali huko Gilgali? Madhabahu zao zitakuwa kama malundo ya mawe katika shamba lililolimwa.
12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
Yakobo alikimbilia katika nchi ya Aramu; Israeli alitumika ili apate mke, ili aweze kulipa kwa ajili yake alichunga kondoo.
13 By a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
Bwana alimtumia nabii kumpandisha Israeli kutoka Misri, kwa njia ya nabii alimtunza.
14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.
Lakini Efraimu amemchochea sana hasira; Bwana wake ataleta juu yake hatia yake ya kumwaga damu naye atamlipiza kwa ajili ya dharau yake.
