Jeremiah 50

1 The word that the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, concerning the land of the Chaldeans, by Jeremiah the prophet.

Hili ndilo neno alilosema Bwana kupitia nabii Yeremia kuhusu Babeli na nchi ya Wakaldayo:

2 "Declare among the nations and publish, and set up a standard; publish, and do not conceal: say, 'Babylon is taken, Bel is disappointed, Marduk is dismayed; her images are disappointed, her idols are dismayed.

“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 out of the north there comes up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell in it: they are fled, they are gone, both man and animal.

Taifa kutoka kaskazini litamshambulia, na kuifanya nchi yake ukiwa. Hakuna hata mmoja atakayeishi ndani yake, watu na wanyama wataikimbia.

4 In those days, and in that time,' says the LORD, 'the children of Israel shall come, they and the people of Judah together; they shall go on their way weeping, and shall seek the LORD their God.

“Katika siku hizo, wakati huo,” asema Bwana, “watu wa Israeli pamoja na watu wa Yuda wataenda wakilia ili kumtafuta Bwana Mungu wao.

5 They shall inquire concerning Zion with their faces turned toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting 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 My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten 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 who found them have devoured them; and their adversaries said, "We are not guilty, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of righteousness, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers."

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 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the male goats before the flocks.

“Kimbieni kutoka Babeli; ondokeni katika nchi ya Wakaldayo tena kuweni kama mbuzi wale waongozao kundi.

9 For, look, I will stir up and cause to come up against Babylon a company of great nations from the north country; and they shall set themselves in array against her; from there she shall be taken. Their arrows shall be like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed.

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 Chaldea shall be a prey: all who prey on her shall be satisfied,' says the LORD.'

Kwa hiyo Ukaldayo utatekwa nyara; wote wamtekao nyara watapata za kutosha,” asema Bwana.

11 Because you are glad, because you rejoice, O you who plunder my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer that treads out the grain, and neigh as strong 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 shall be utterly disappointed; she who bore you shall be confounded: look, she shall be the least of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a 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 she shall not be inhabited, but she shall be wholly desolate: everyone who goes by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.

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 "Set yourselves in array against Babylon all around, all you who bend the bow; shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she has sinned against the LORD.

“Shikeni nafasi zenu kuzunguka Babeli, enyi nyote mvutao upinde. Mpigeni! Msibakize mshale wowote, kwa kuwa ametenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana.

15 Shout against her all around: she has submitted herself; her towers are fallen, her walls are thrown down; for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance on her; as she has done, do to 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 who handles the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn everyone to his people, and they shall flee everyone to his own land."'

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 'Israel is a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away: first, the king of Assyria devoured him; and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.

“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 says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Look, I will punish the king of Babylon and 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 I will bring Israel again to his pasture, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and in Gilead.

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 in that time, says the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I leave as a remnant."'"

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 "Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: kill and utterly destroy after them," says the LORD, "and do according to all that I have commanded you.

“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 in the land, and of great destruction.

Kelele ya vita iko ndani ya nchi, kelele ya maangamizi makuu!

23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut apart and broken. How is Babylon become a desolation 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 you, and you are also taken, Babylon, and you weren't aware: you are found, and also caught, because you have striven against the LORD.

Nimetega mtego kwa ajili yako, ee Babeli, nawe ukakamatwa kabla haujafahamu; ulipatikana na ukakamatwa kwa sababu ulimpinga Bwana.

25 The LORD has opened his armory, and has brought forth the weapons of his indignation; for the Lord, the LORD of hosts, has a work to do 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 utmost border; open her storehouses; cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly; let nothing of her be left.

Njooni dhidi yake kutoka mbali. Zifungueni ghala zake za nafaka; mlundikeni kama lundo la nafaka. Mwangamizeni kabisa na msimwachie mabaki yoyote.

27 Kill all her bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, their day has 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 The voice of those who flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of 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 those who bend the bow; camp against her all around; let none of it escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she has done, do to her; for she has been proud against the LORD, 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 her young men will fall in her streets, and all her men of war will be brought to silence in that day," says the LORD.

Kwa hiyo, vijana wake wanaume wataanguka barabarani; askari wake wote watanyamazishwa siku ile,” asema Bwana.

31 "Look, I am against you, you proud one," says the LORD of hosts; for your day has come, the time that I will visit you.

“Tazama, niko kinyume nawe, ewe mwenye majivuno,” asema Bwana, Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote, “kwa kuwa siku yako imewadia, yaani, wakati wako wa kuadhibiwa.

32 The proud one shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up; and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all who are around him."

Mwenye majivuno atajikwaa na kuanguka, wala hakuna yeyote atakayemuinua; nitawasha moto katika miji yake, utakaowateketeza wote wanaomzunguka.”

33 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "The children of Israel and the people of Judah are oppressed together; and all who took them captive hold them fast; they refuse to let them go.

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 thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

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 A sword is on the Chaldeans," says the LORD, "and on the inhabitants of Babylon, and on her officials, and on her wise men.

“Upanga dhidi ya Wakaldayo!” asema Bwana, “dhidi ya wale waishio Babeli na dhidi ya maafisa wake na watu wenye busara!

36 A sword is on the boasters, and they shall become fools; a sword is on 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 A sword is on their horses, and on their chariots, and on all the mixed people who are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women: a sword is on her treasures, and they shall be robbed.

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 A drought is on her waters, and they shall be dried up; for it is a land of engraved images, and they glory over idols.

Ukame juu ya maji yake! Nayo yatakauka. Kwa kuwa ni nchi ya sanamu, wao wanaenda wazimu kwa ajili ya sanamu.

39 Therefore the wild animals of the desert with the wolves shall dwell there, and the ostriches shall dwell in it: and it shall be no more inhabited forever; neither shall it be lived 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 As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities of it," says the LORD, "so shall no man dwell there, neither shall any son of man live in it."

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 "Look, a people comes from the north; and a great nation and many kings shall be stirred up from the uttermost parts of the earth.

“Tazama! Jeshi linakuja kutoka kaskazini; taifa kubwa na wafalme wengi wanaamshwa kutoka miisho ya dunia.

42 They lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roars like the sea; and they ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, 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 has heard the news of them, and his hands wax feeble: anguish has taken hold of him, pains as of a woman in labor.

Mfalme wa Babeli amesikia habari kuwahusu, nayo mikono yake imelegea. Uchungu umemshika, maumivu kama ya mwanamke katika utungu wa kuzaa.

44 Look, the enemy shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoever is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? And who will appoint me a time? And who is the shepherd who 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 the counsel of the LORD, that he has taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: "Surely they shall drag them away, even the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.

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 taking of Babylon the earth trembles, and the cry is heard among the nations."

Kwa sauti ya kutekwa kwa Babeli, dunia itatetemeka; kilio chake kitasikika pote miongoni mwa mataifa.