Hebrews 11
1 But faith is, of things hoped for, a confidence, of facts, a conviction, when they are not seen;
Sasa imani ni hakika aliyo nayo mtu wakati atarajiapo kitu fulani kwa ujasiri. Ni hakika ya kitu ambacho bado hakijaonekana.
2 For, thereby, well-attested were the ancients.
Kwa sababu hii mababu zetu walithibitika kwa imani yao.
3 By faith, we understand the ages to have been fitted together, by declaration of God, —to the end that, not out of things appearing, should that which is seen, have come into existence. (aiōn g165)
Kwa imani tunafahamu kwamba ulimwengu uliumbwa kwa amri ya Mungu, ili kwamba kile kinachoonekana hakikutengenezwa kutokana na vitu ambavyo vilikuwa vinaonekana. (aiōn g165)
4 By faith, a fuller sacrifice, did Abel, offer unto God, than Cain, —through which, he received witness that he was righteous, there being a witnessing upon his gifts, by God; and, through it, though he died, he yet is speaking.
Ilikuwa kwa sababu ya imani kwamba Habili alimtolea Mungu sadaka ya kufaa kuliko alivyofanya Kaini. Ilikuwa ni kwa sababu hii kwamba alisifiwa kuwa mwenye haki. Mungu alimsifu kwa sababu ya zawadi alizoleta. Kwa sababu hiyo, Habili bado ananena, ingawa amekufa.
5 By faith, Enoch was translated, so as not to see death, and was not found, because that, God, had translated him; for, before the translation, he had received witness that he had become well-pleasing unto God; —
Ilikuwa kwa imani kwamba Enoko alichukuliwa juu na hakuona mauti. “Hakuonekana, kwa sababu Mungu alimchukua” kwa vile ilinenwa juu yake kuwa alimpendeza Mungu kabla ya kuchukuliwa juu.
6 But, apart from faith, it is impossible to be well-pleasing; for he that approacheth unto God—must needs have faith, that he is, and that, to them who seek him out, a rewarder he becometh.
Pasipo imani haiwezekani kumpendeza Mungu, kwa kuwa ajaye kwa Mungu lazima aamini kwamba Mungu anaishi na kwamba huwapatia zawadi wale wamtafutao.
7 By faith, Noah, having received intimation concerning the things not yet seen, filled with reverence, prepared an ark to the saving of his house—through which he condemned the world, and, of the righteousness by way of faith, became heir.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Nuhu, akiwa ameonywa na Mungu kuhusiana na mambo ambayo hayakuwa yameonekana, kwa heshima ya ki Mungu alitengeneza safina kwa ajili ya kuiokoa familia yake. Kwa kufanya hivi, aliuhukumu ulimwengu na akawa mrithi wa haki ambayo huja kupitia imani.
8 By faith, being called, Abraham obeyed—to come forth into a place he was destined to receive for an inheritance; and he came forth, not well knowing whither he was coming.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu, alipoitwa alitii na kwenda mahali ambapo alipaswa kupokea kama urithi. Alitoka bila kujua mahali gani alikuwa anakwenda.
9 By faith, he sojourned in the land of promise, as a foreign land, in tents, dwelling, along with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the same promise;
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba aliishi katika nchi ya ahadi kama mgeni. Aliishi katika mahema pamoja na Isaka na Yakobo, warithi wenzake wa ahadi ile ile.
10 For he was awaiting the city having foundations, whose architect and builder is, God.
Hii ni kwa sababu alitarajia kuupata mji ambao mwenye kuubuni na mjenzi wake angelikuwa ni Mungu.
11 By faith, even Sarah herself, received power for founding a seed, even beyond the season of life’s prime, —seeing that, faithful, she reckoned, him that had promised;
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu, na Sara mwenyewe, walipokea nguvu ya kutunga mimba ingawa walikuwa wazee sana, kwa kuwa walimuona Mungu kuwa mwaminifu, ambaye aliwaahidia mtoto wa kiume.
12 Wherefore, even from one, were born, and, as to these things, one who had become dead, —like the stars of the heaven, for multitude, and as the sand that is by the lip of the sea, that cannot be numbered.
Kwa hiyo pia kutoka kwa mtu huyu mmoja ambaye alikuwa amekaribia kufa wakazaliwa watoto wasiohesabika. Walikuwa wengi kama nyota za angani na wengi kama mbegu za mchanga katika ufukwe wa bahari.
13 In faith, all these died—not bearing away the promises, but, from afar, beholding and saluting them, and confessing that, strangers and sojourners, were they upon the land.
Hawa wote walikufa katika imani pasipo kupokea ahadi. Isipokuwa, wakiwa wameziona na kuzikaribisha kwa mbali, walikiri kwamba walikuwa wageni na wapitaji juu ya nchi.
14 For, they who such things as these are saying, make it clear that, of a paternal home they are in quest;
Kwa wale wasemao mambo kama haya wanaweka bayana kuwa wanatafuta nchi yao wenyewe.
15 And, if indeed of that they had been mindful, from which they had come out, they might, in that case, have had an opportunity, to return;
Kwa kweli, kama wangekuwa wakiifikiria nchi ambayo kwayo walitoka, wangelikuwa na nafasi ya kurejea.
16 But, now, after a better one, are they reaching, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be invoked as, their God, —for he hath prepared for them, a city.
Lakini kama ilivyo, wanatamani nchi iliyo bora, ambayo, ni ya kimbingu. Kwa hiyo Mungu haoni aibu kuitwa Mungu wao, kwa kuwa ametayarisha mji kwa ajili yao.
17 By faith, Abraham, when tested, offered up Isaac, and, the only-begotten, would he have offered up, who the promises had accepted, —
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu baada ya kujaribiwa, alimtoa Isaka. Ndiyo, yeye ambaye alipokea kwa furaha ahadi, alimtoa mwanawe wa pekee,
18 Even him of whom it had been said—In Isaac, shall there be called to thee, a seed:
ambaye juu yake ilinenwa, “Kutoka kwa Isaka uzao wako utaitwa.”
19 Accounting that, even from among the dead, God, was able, to raise [him], —whence, even in similitude, he bare him away.
IbrahImU alijua kwamba Mungu alikuwa na uwezo wa kumfufua Isaka kutoka katika wafu, na kwa kuzungumza kwa lugha ya maumbo, alimpokea.
20 By faith, even concerning things to come, did Isaac bless Jacob and Esau.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Isaka alimbariki Yakobo na Esau kuhusu mambo yajayo.
21 By faith, Jacob, when about to die, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and bowed in worship on the top of his staff.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Yakobo alipokuwa katika hali ya kufa, alimbariki kila mmoja wa watoto wa Yusufu. Yakobo akaabudu, akiegemea juu ya fimbo yake.
22 By faith, Joseph, when drawing to his end—concerning the exodus of the sons of Israel, called to remembrance, and, concerning his bones, gave commandment.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Yusufu wakati wake wa mwisho ulipokaribia, alinena juu ya kutoka kwa wana wa Israel Misri na akawaagiza kuchukua pamoja nao mifupa yake.
23 By faith, Moses, when born—was hid three months by his parents, because, they saw, that, goodly, was, the child, and were not affrighted, at the decree of the king.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa, alipozaliwa, alifichwa kwa miezi mitatu na wazazi wake kwa sababu walimuona kuwa ni mtoto mchanga aliyekuwa mzuri, na hawakutishwa na amri ya mfalme.
24 By faith, Moses, when grown up—refused to be called the son of a daughter of a Pharaoh,
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa, alipokuwa mtu mzima, alikataa kuitwa mtoto wa binti Farao.
25 Rather choosing—to be jointly suffering ill-treatment with the people of God, than, for a season, to be having, sins enjoyment;
Badala yake, alichagua kushiriki mateso pamoja na watu wa Mungu badala ya kufurahia anasa za dhambi kwa kitambo.
26 Accounting—as greater riches than Egypt’s treasures, the reproach of the Anointed One; for he was looking away unto the recompense.
Alifikiri aibu ya kumfuata Kristo kuwa ni utajiri mkuu kuliko hazina za Misri kwa kuwa alikaza macho yake katika zawadi ya wakati wake ujao.
27 By faith, he forsook Egypt—not put in fear of the wrath of the king; for, as seeing him who cannot be seen, he persevered.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa alitoka Misri. Hakuhofia hasira ya Mfalme, kwa kuwa alivumilia kwa kutazama kwa asiyeonekana.
28 By faith, he hath kept the passover and the besmearing of the blood, lest, he that was destroying the first-born, should be touching them.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba aliishika pasaka na kunyunyiza damu, ili kwamba mharibu wa mzaliwa wa kwanza asiweze kuwagusa wazaliwa wa kwanza wa kiume wa waisrael.
29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea, as over dry land, —which the Egyptians, seizing an attempt to do, were swallowed up.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba walipita katika bahari ya shamu kama katika nchi kavu. Wakati wamisri walipojaribu kupita, walimezwa.
30 By faith, the walls of Jericho, fell, having been surrounded for seven days.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba ukuta wa Yeriko ulianguka chini, baada ya kuuzunguka kwa siku saba.
31 By faith, Rahab the harlot perished not with them who refused to yield, she having welcomed the spies with peace.
Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Rahabu yule kahaba hakuangamia pamoja na wale ambao hawakuwa watiifu, kwa sababu alikuwa amewapokea wapelelezi na kuwahifadhi salama.
32 And what more can I say? For, time, will fail me while I go on telling—concerning Gideon, Barak, Sampson, Jephthah, David also, and Samuel, and the prophets, —
Na niseme nini zaidi? Maana muda hautoshi kusimulia ya Gideoni, Barak, Samsoni, Yeftha, Daudi, Samwel na za manabii,
33 Who, through faith—prevailed in contest over kingdoms, wrought righteousness, attained unto promises, shut the mouths of lions,
ambao kupitia imani walizishinda falme, walitenda haki, na wakapokea ahadi. Walizuia vinywa vya simba,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the mouths of the sword, were made powerful from weakness, became mighty in battle, overturned, camps of aliens;
walizima nguvu za moto, walikwepa ncha ya upanga, waliponywa kutoka katika magonjwa, walikuwa mashujaa vitani, na walisababisha majeshi wageni kukimbia.
35 Women received, by resurrection, their dead; but, others, were put to the rack, not accepting redemption, that, unto a better resurrection, they might attain:
Wanawake walipokea wafu wao kwa njia ya ufufuo. Wengine waliteswa, bila kukubali kuachwa huru ili kwamba waweze kupata uzoefu wa ufufuo ulio bora zaidi.
36 Others, again, of mockings and scourgings, received trial, nay! further, of bonds and imprisonments:
Wengine waliteswa kwa dhihaka na kwa vichapo, naam, hata kwa vifungo na kwa kutiwa gerezani.
37 They were stoned, were pierced through, were sawn asunder, by murder, with a sword, died, went about in sheep-skins, in goat-hides, —being in want, suffering tribulation, enduring ill-treatment:
Walipondwa mawe. Walikatwa vipande kwa misumeno. Waliuawa kwa upanga. Walikwenda kwa ngozi za kondoo na ngozi za mbuzi walikuwa wahitaji, wakiendelea katika maumivu na wakitendewa mabaya
38 Of whom the world, was not worthy—upon deserts, wandering, and mountains, and in caves, —and in the caverns of the earth.
(ambayo ulimwengu haukustahili kuwa nao), wakitangatanga nyikani, milimani, katika mapango na katika mashimo ya ardhini.
39 And, these all, though they obtained witness through their faith, yet bare not away, the promise:
Ingawa watu wote hawa walikubaliwa na Mungu kwa sababu ya imani yao, hawakupokea alichoahidi.
40 God, for us, something better providing, —that, not apart from us, should they be made, perfect.
Mungu alitangulia kutupatia kitu kilichobora, ili kwamba bila sisi wasingeweza kukamilishwa.
