1 Kings 18
1 And it happened after many days that the word of YHWH came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth."
Kwa hiyo baada ya siku nyingi neno la BWANA likamjia Eliya, katika mwaka wa tatu wa ukame, likisema, “Nenda ukajionyeshe mwenyewe kwa Ahabu nami nitainyeshea ardhi mvua.”
2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. And the famine was severe in Samaria.
Eliya akaenda kujionyesha mwenyewe kwa Ahabu; sasa njaa ilikuwa kali sana kule Samaria.
3 And Ahab summoned Obadiah, the steward of the house. (Now Obadiah feared YHWH greatly.
Ahabu akamwita Obadia, aliyekuwa mkuu wa ikulu. Obadia alimheshimu sana BWANA,
4 And it came about, when Jezebel was killing the prophets of YHWH, that Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them, fifty by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
kwa kuwa wakati Yezebeli alipokuwa akiwaua manabii wa BWANA, Obadia alichukua manabii mia akawaficha katika makundi ya hamsini hamsini katika pango na akawalisha kwa mikate na maji.
5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land, to all the springs of water, and to all the wadis. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we not lose all the animals."
Ahabu akamwambia Obadia, “Pita katika nchi yote na katika chemichemi zote za maji na vijito. Yamkini tunaweza kupata maji na nyasi ili tuwaokoa hawa farasi na nyumbu, ili tusiwakose wanyama wote.”
6 So they divided the land between them to explore it; Ahab went one way alone, and Obadiah went another way alone.
Kwa hiyo wakaigawa nchi kati yao ili wapite kati yake wakitafuta maji. Ahabu akaenda njia yake mwenyewe na Obadia naye akaenda njia yake.
7 And as Obadiah was on the way, look, Elijah met him; and he recognized him and fell on his face and said, "Is it you, my lord Elijah?"
Wakati Obadia akiwa njiani, akakutana na Eliya pasipo kutegemea. Obadia akamtambua na akalala kifudifudi chini. Akamwambia, “Ndiye wewe, bwana wangu Eliya?”
8 He answered him, "It is I. Go, tell your lord, 'Look, Elijah is here.'"
Naye Eliya akamjibu, Ni mimi. Nenda umwambie bwana wako, 'Tazama, Eliya yuko hapa.'”
9 And he said, "How have I sinned, that you would deliver your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me?
Obadia akamjibu. “Nimekoseaje, kwamba umtoe mtumishi wako katika mkono wa Ahabu ili aniue?
10 As YHWH your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, where my lord has not sent to seek you. When they said, 'He is not here,' he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they did not find you.
Kama BWANA Mungu wako aishivyo, hakuna taifa wala ufalme ambapo bwana wangu hajatuma watu kukutafuta. Kila taifa au ufalme unaposema, “Eliya hayuko hapa,' Ahabu hufanya waape ni kweli hawajakuona.
11 Now you say, 'Go, tell your lord, "Look, Elijah is here."'
Na sasa wewe unasema, 'Nenda, ukamwambie bwana wako kwamba Eliya yuko hapa.'
12 It will happen, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of YHWH will carry you I do not know where; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he can't find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared YHWH from my youth.
Mara tu baada ya kukuacha Roho wa BWANA atakuchukua na kukupeleka mahali ambapo sitapajua. Kisha nikienda na kumwambia Ahabu, na asipokuona, ataniua. Bado, mimi, mtumishi wako, nimekuwa nikimwabudu BWANA kutoka ujana wangu.
13 Wasn't it told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of YHWH, how I hid one hundred men of YHWH's prophets, fifty by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
Je, haujaambiwa, bwana wangu, nilichokifanya wakati Yezebeli alipowaua manabii wa BWANA, jinsi nilivyowaficha wale manabii mia moja wa BWANA katika makundi ya hamsini kwenye pango na kuwalisha kwa mikate na maji?
14 Now you say, 'Go, tell your lord, "Look, Elijah is here";' and he will kill me."
Na sasa unasema, 'Nenda umwambie bwana wako kwamba Eliya yuko hapa,' kwa hiyo ataniua.”
15 Elijah said, "As YHWH of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today."
Ndipo Eliya alipomjibu, “Kama vile BWANA wa majeshi aishivyo, ambaye mimi ninasimama, Kwa hakika nitajionyeshakwa Ahabu leo.”
16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
Kwa hiyo Obadia akaenda kukutana na Ahabu, nakumwambia kile Eliya alichokuwa amemwambia. Ndipo mfalme alipoenda kukutana na Eliya.
17 It happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?"
Ahabu alipomwona Eliya, akamwambia, “Je, ni wewe? Wewe mtabishaji wa Israeli!”
18 He answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of YHWH, and you have followed the Baals.
Eliya akamwambia, “Mimi sijaitabisha Israeli, Lakiini wewe na familia ya baba yako ndio watabishaji kwa kuziacha amri za BWANA na kufuata sanamu za Baali.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
Kwa hiyo sasa, Tuma neno na unikusanyie Israeli yote katika mlima Kameli, pamoja na manabii 450 wa Baali na wale manabii 400 wa Ashera wanaokula kwenye meza ya Yezebeli.”
20 So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.
Kwa hiyo Ahabu akatuma neno kwa watu wote wa Israeli na akawakusanya manabii wote kwenye mlima Kameli.
21 Elijah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you keep limping between two positions? If YHWH is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." But the people did not answer him a word.
Eliya akaja karibu na watu wote akasema, “Mtaendelea kubadilisha mawazo yenu mpaka lini? Kama BWANA ni Mungu, mfuateni yeye, Lakini kama Baali ni Mungu, basi mfuateni yeye,” Lakini watu hawakumjibu neno.
22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of YHWH; but the prophets of Baal are four hundred and fifty men, and the prophets of Asherah four hundred.
Kisha Eliya akawaambia wale watu, “Mimi, pekee yangu, ndiye niliyebaki kuwa nabii wa BWANA, lakini manabii wa Baali wako 450.
23 Let them therefore give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. And I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it.
Hebu tutoleeni ng'ombe wawili. Nao wajichagulie ng'ombe mmoja na wamchinje na kumkatakata katika vipnde, na wamweke kwenye kuni, na wasitie moto chini yake. Nami nitamwandaa yule wa pili na kumweke juu ya kuni nami sitatia moto chini yake.
24 You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of YHWH, and the god who answers by fire, he is God." All the people answered, "It is well said."
Kisha mtaliita jina la mungu wenu, nami nitaliita jina la BWANA, na Mungu atakayejibu kwa moto, huyo ndiye Mungu.” Watu wote wakajibu na kusema, “Hilo ni jambo jema.”
25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves, and prepare it first, for you are the majority, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."
Kwa Eliya akawaambia manabii wa Baali, “Chagueni ng'ombe mmoja kwa ajili yenu na mwe wa kwanza kumwamdaa, kwa kuwa ninyi ni wengi, Kisha liiteni jina la mungu wenu, lakini msiwashe moto.”
26 And they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "Baal, answer us." But there was no voice, nor any who answered. And they limped about the altar they had made.
Nao wakamchukua yule ng'ombe waliokuwa wamepewa na wakamwandaa, na ndipo walipoliita jina la Baali kuanzia asubuhi hadi adhuhuri, wakisema, “Baali, tusikie.” Lakini hapakuwepo na Sauti, na wala hakuna aliyejibu. Wakachezacheza kuizunguka madhabahu waliyotengeneza.
27 And it came about, at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Maybe he is thinking about it, or he is busy, or he is on a trip, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened."
Ilipofika adhuhuri Eliya akawakejeli akisema, “Mwiteni kwa nguvu! Huyo ni mungu! labda anawaza kitu, au amepumzika, au yuko safarini, au pengine amelala sharti aamshwe.”
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with swords and spears, until the blood gushed out on them.
Kwa hiyo wakamwita kwa nguvu, wakajikatakata kama kawaida yao ilivyokuwa, kwa upanga na nyembe, mpaka damu ikawachuruzika.
29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the offering up of the offering; but there was no voice, no answer, and no response.
Ikawa wakati wa adhuhuri ulipopita, na bado walikuwa wakiendelea kutabiri mpaka wakati wa jioni wa kutoa dhabihu, lakini hapakuwepo na sauti wala mtu wa kuwajibu; wala hapakuwepo na yeyote wa kujibu wala wa kuangalia.
30 Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me"; and all the people came near to him. He repaired the altar of YHWH that had been torn down.
Kisha Eliya akawaambia watu wote, “Nisogeleeni,” na watu wote wakamsogelea. Naye akatengeneza ile madhabahu ya BWANA ambayo ilikuwa imeharibika.
31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of YHWH came, saying, "Israel shall be your name."
Eliya akachukua mawe kumi na mawili, kila jiwe moja liliwakilisha kabila moja la wana wa Yakobo - ni kupitia Yakobo kwamba neno la BWANA lilikuja, likisema, “Jina lako litakuwa Israel.”
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of YHWH. And he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two seahs of seed.
Kwa kutumia hayo mawe aliijenga ile madhabahu kwa jina la BWANA na akachimba mfereji kuizunguka ile madhabahu kubwa kiasi cha kubeba lita kumi na tano za maji.
33 And he arranged the wood, and cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood.
Kisha akaweka kuni kwa ajili ya moto na akamkatakata yule ng'ombe katika vipande vipande na akaweka vile vipande juu ya kuni. Na akasema, “Vijazeni maji hivyo vyombo na yamwageni kwenye hiyo sadaka ya kueketezwa na juu ya hizo kuni.”
34 And he said, "Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood." And they did so. And he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it the second time. And he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it the third time.
Akasema tena fanyeni hivyo mara ya pili,” nao wakafanya kwa mara ya pili. kisha akasema, “Fanyeni mara ya tatu,” nao wakafanya kwa mara ya tatu.
35 And the water ran around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water.
Maji yakaizunguka ile madhabahu na kuujaza ule mfereji.
36 It happened at the time of the offering up of the offering, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, "YHWH, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
Ikawa wakati wa kutoa dhabihu ya jioni, nabii Eliya akasogea na akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Abrahamu, na wa Isaka, na wa Israeli, na ijulikane leo kwamba wewe ndiye Mungu wa Israeli, na kwamba mimi ni mtumishi wako, na kwamba nimeyafanya mambo haya yote kwa jina lako.
37 Hear me, YHWH, hear me, that this people may know that you, YHWH, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again."
Nisikie, BWANA, nisike, ili hawa watu wajue kuwa wewe, BWANA, ndiye Mungu, na kwamba umeirudisha mioyo yao kwako tena.”
38 Then the fire of YHWH fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Ndipo moto wa BWANA ukashuka ukairamba ile sadaka, pamoja na zile kuni, mawe na mavumbi, na kuyaramba yale maji yaliyokuwa kwenye ule mfereji.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, "YHWH, he is God. YHWH, he is God."
watu wote walipoona haya, wakalala kifudifudi chini wakasema, “BWANA, ndiye Mungu! BWANA ndiye Mungu!
40 And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape." And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon, and killed them there.
Kwa hiyo Eliya akawaambia, “Wakamateni manabii wa Baali. Msimwache hata mmoja wao atoroke.” Kwa hiyo wakawakamata, na Eliya akawaleta manabii wa Baali chini kwenye kijito cha Kishoni na akawaua huko.
41 And Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of a heavy rain."
Eliya akamwambia Ahabu, “Inuka, ule na kunywa, kwa kuwa kuna sauti ya mvua kubwa.”
42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down toward the ground, and put his face between his knees.
Kwa hiyo Ahabu akaenda akala na knywa. Kisha Eliya akaenda juu ya mlima Kameli, akasudu chini na akaweka uso wake katikati ya magoti.
43 And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up, and looked, and said, "There is nothing." Then he said, "Go again" seven times. And the servant went again seven times.
Akamwambia mtumishi wake, “Nenda sasa, utazame upande wa bahari.” mtumishi wake akaenda na akasema, “Hakuna kitu,” Eliya akamwambia, “Nenda tena, mpaka mara saba.”
44 It happened at the seventh time, that he said, "Look, a small cloud, like a man's hand, is rising out of the sea." He said, "Go up, tell Ahab, 'Get ready and go down, so that the rain doesn't stop you.'"
Ile mara ya saba mtumishi wake akasema, “Tazama, kuna wingu linapanda kutoka baharini, ni dogo kama mkono wa mtu.” Eliya akamjibu, Nenda ukamwambie Ahabu, 'Andaa gari lako na ushuke kabla mvua haijakuzuia.'”
45 It happened in a little while, that the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
Ikatokea baada ya muda mfupi mbingu zikawa nyeusi kwa mawingu na upepo, na kulikuwa na mvua kubwa. Ahabu akapanda gari akaenda zake Yezreeli,
46 The hand of YHWH was on Elijah; and he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
lakini mkono wa BWANA ulikuwa juu ya Eliya. Akalikaza vazi lake kwa mshipi wake na akakimbia mbele ya Ahabu kwenye lango la Yezreeli.
