Romans 11
1 Because of that, [if anyone should ask], “Has God rejected his people [the Jews?” I would declare that] he certainly has not [rejected all of us! You can realize that by remembering that] I also belong to the [people of] Israel. I am a descendant of Abraham, and I belong to the tribe of Benjamin, [but God has not rejected me]!
Basi nasema, je, Mungu aliwakataa watu wake? Hata kidogo. Kwa kuwa mimi pia ni Mwiisraeli, wa ukoo wa Abrahamu, wa kabila la Benyamini.
2 No, God has not rejected his people, whom he chose long ago [to be people whom he would bless in a special way]. Remember [RHQ] what is written [PRS] in the Scriptures about Elijah when he [mistakenly] complained to God about [the people of] Israel, saying,
Mungu hakuwakataa watu wake, aliowajua tangu mwanzo. Je hamjui andiko linasema nini kuhusu Eliya, jinsi alivyomsihi Mungu juu ya Israeli?
3 “Lord, they have killed [the rest of] your [(sg)] prophets, they have destroyed your altars. I am the only one [who believes in you] who remains [alive], and now they are trying to kill me!”
“Bwana, wamewaua manabii wako, nao wamebomoa madhabahu zako. Mimi peke yangu nimesalia, nao wanatafuta uhai wangu.”
4 God answered him like this: “[You(sg) are not the only one who believes in me]! I have protected for myself [not just you, but] 7,000 [other] men who have not worshipped [the false god] Baal. (Remember that!/Do you not remember that?) [RHQ]”
Lakini jibu la Mungu lasema nini kwako? “Nimetunza kwa ajili yangu watu elfu saba ambao hawampigii magoti Baali.”
5 So, similarly, there is also at this time a small group [of us Jews] who have become [believers. God] has chosen us [to become believers] (OR, [his people]) only because he acts kindly toward us, in ways that we do not deserve.
Hata hivyo, wakati huu wa sasa pia kuna walio salia kwa sababu ya uchaguzi wa neema.
6 Since it is because he acts kindly [toward those whom he chooses, it is] not because they have done good things [that he has chosen them]. If [God chose people because they did good deeds], then it would not be because he was acting toward them in a way that they did not deserve.
Lakini ikiwa ni kwa neema, si tena kwa matendo. Vinginevyo neema haitakuwa tena neema.
7 [Since God chose only some people of Israel], [this is what I conclude: [RHQ] Most of the people of] Israel did not find [the way for him to erase the record of their sins], even though some of them were earnestly looking for it. The [people of Israel whom God had] chosen found it, but the rest [of them] were {[God]} made spiritually insensitive/unresponsive.
Ni nini basi? Jambo ambalo Israeli alikuwa akitafuta, hakukipata, bali wateule walikipata, na wengine walitiwa uzito.
8 [Our] fellow Jews are just like the [ones] about whom Isaiah wrote, God (caused their senses to be dull/made them unable to think clearly). Up to this very day, [they have] eyes but they cannot see [spiritually] [MET]. [They have] ears, but they cannot understand [spiritually] what they hear.
Ni kama ilivyoandikwa: “Mungu amewapa roho ya ubutu, macho ili wasione, na masikio ili wasisikie, mpaka leo hii.”
9 And [they remind me of what King] David said, [when he asked God to cause his enemies’ senses to be dull] [MET], [Make them stupid] [MTY], [like animals that are] caught in snares! May they [feel secure because of the things that they enjoy but which will catch them like a] trap [DOU, MET], with the result that you will destroy them.
Naye Daudi anasema, “Acha meza zao na ziwe wavu, mtego, sehemu ya kujikwaa, na kulipiza kisasi dhidi yao.
10 May their ability to perceive [danger] be dulled {Dull their ability to perceive [spiritually]} [MET], with the result that they will not [become alarmed] [MET] [when there is danger]. May you cause them to carry heavy loads on their backs continually [as slaves do] [MTY].
Acha macho yao yatiwe giza ili wasiweze kuona. Ukawainamishe migongo yao daima.”
11 [Perhaps someone will ask], “[When the Jews] sinned [by not believing in Christ, did] it result in their separating themselves from God [permanently?]” Then I [would reply], [No], they have certainly not [separated themselves from God permanently]! What is happening is that because they sinned, [God] is saving non-Jews in order to cause [the Jews] to envy [the way he blesses non-Jews and so ask Christ to save them].
Basi nasema, “Je, wamejikwaa hata kuanguka?” Isiwe hivyo kamwe. Badala yake, kwa kushindwa kwao, wokovu umefika kwa Mataifa, ili wao wenyewe watiwe wivu.
12 [When the Jews] sinned (OR, rejected Christ), [the result was that God] abundantly [blessed other people in] [MTY] the world by [offering them the opportunity to believe]. And [when the Jews] failed [spiritually, the result was that God] abundantly [blessed] the non-Jews. Since that is true, think how wonderful it will be when the complete number [of the Jews whom God has chosen will believe in Christ] [RHQ]!
Sasa ikiwa kushindwa kwao ni utajiri wa ulimwengu, na kama hasara yao ni utajiri wa mataifa, ni kiasi gani zaidi itakuwa kukamilika kwao?
13 Now it is to you non-Jews that I am saying [what follows]. I am the one who is the apostle to non-Jews, and I highly esteem this work [that God appointed] me to do.
Na sasa naongea nanyi watu wa Mataifa. Kwa kuwa nimekuwa mtume kwa watu wa Mataifa mengine, najivunia huduma yangu.
14 But I also hope that [by my labors] I will make my fellow Jews (jealous/want what you non-Jews have), [with the result that] some of them will [believe and] be saved.
Labda nitawatia wivu walio mwili mmoja na mimi. Labda tutawaokoa baadhi yao.
15 [God] has rejected [most of my fellow Jews because they refused to believe, with the result that] he reconciled [many other people in] the world [MTY] [to himself]. But he will accept [my fellow Jews again when they trust in Christ]! And (this is what the result will be./do you know what the result will be?) [RHQ] It will be [as though God is making them] alive again after they have been dead!
Maana ikiwa kukataliwa kwao ni maridhiano ya dunia, kupokelewa kwao kutakuwaje ila uhai toka kwa wafu?
16 [Just like] the whole lump [of dough] will belong to God if [people offer] to God [MET] the [bread baked from] the first part [of it] [MET], [so the Jews will belong to God because their ancestors belonged to God]. And just like the branches [of a tree] will be good if the roots are good [MET], [so the descendants of our great Jewish ancestors who belonged to God will also some day belong to God].
Kama matunda ya kwanza ni akiba, ndivyo ilivyo kwa donge la unga. Kama mzizi ni akiba, matawi nayo kadhalika.
17 [God has rejected] many of [the Jews] [MET], [like] branches [of a tree] are broken off {[like people] break off [dead] branches [of a tree]}. And each of you [non-Jews whom God has accepted is like] [MET] [a branch of] a wild/uncultivated olive tree [that] was {[that someone]} grafted among the branches (OR, onto one of the branches) [that were left on a cultivated olive tree]. [God has caused] you [to benefit from how he blessed our(exc) first Jewish ancestors, as branches] benefit from the nutritious sap from the roots of a [cultivated] olive tree [MET].
Lakini kama baadhi ya matawi yamekatwa, kama wewe, tawi pori la mzeituni, ulipandikizwa kati yao, na kama ulishiriki pamoja nao katika mizizi ya utajiri wa mzeituni,
18 However, you [non-Jews] must not despise [the Jews whom God rejected] [MET], [who are like] the branches that [were broken off from the tree] If any of you [wants to] boast [about having received blessings from God], [remember this: Branches] do not nourish the roots. Instead the roots nourish [the branches] [MET]. [Similarly, you are blessed by God because of what] you [have received from the Jews! It is not what the Jews have received from] you [that blesses them] [MET]!
usijisifu juu ya matawi. Lakini kama unajisifu, si wewe ambaye unaisaidia mizizi, bali mizizi inakusaidia wewe.
19 If one of you then says, “[God rejected the Jews] [MET] [like] branches [MET] that are broken {that people broke} off [a tree and rejected], in order that [he might accept us non-Jews, as] branches [MET] of a tree are grafted in {[as people] graft in branches of a tree},”
Basi utasema, “Matawi yalikatwa ili nipate kupandikizwa katika shina.”
20 [I would reply that] this is true. However, it is because the Jews did not believe [in Christ] that they were rejected [MET] {that [God] rejected [MET] them}. As for you, it is [only] because you believe [in Christ] that [God has accepted] you! [So] do not [any of you] become proud, but instead beware [of what could happen to you]
Hiyo ni kweli. Kwa sababu ya kutoamini kwao walikatwa, lakini wewe ulisimama imara kwa sababu ya imani yako. Usijifikirie mwenyewe kwa hali ya juu sana, bali ogopa.
21 Since God did not spare [the unbelieving Jews] [MET] [who were like a tree’s] natural branches, he will not spare any of you [if you do] not [keep trusting in him]!
Kwa maana ikiwa Mungu hakuyaachia matawi ya asili, hatakuhurumia wewe pia.
22 Note then, that God acts kindly, but he also acts severely. He has acted severely toward [the Jews] who have stopped trusting in him. On the other hand, he acts kindly toward each of you [non-Jews only] if you continue [to appreciate his acting] kindly [toward you]. However, you will be rejected {[he] will reject you} if you do not [keep trusting in him].
Angalia, basi, matendo mema na ukali wa Mungu. Kwa upande mmoja, ukali ulikuja juu ya Wayahudi ambao walianguka. Lakini kwa upande mwingine, wema wa Mungu huja juu yako, kama utadumu katika wema wake. Vinginevyo wewe pia utakatiliwa mbali.
23 And if the Jews believe [in Christ] [LIT], God also will [reunite them to himself as] branches are grafted {[as people] graft branches} into [a tree again], because God is able to do that.
Na pia, kama hawataendelea katika kutoamini kwao, watapandikizwa tena. Maana Mungu anao uwezo wa kuwapandikiza tena.
24 Each of you [non-Jews who were previously separated from God has benefited from the ways in which God blessed the Jews] [MET]. [That is like taking branches] that have been cut {that someone has cut} from a wild olive tree that just grew [without being planted] {[someone planting it]} and, contrary to what people usually do, grafting them into a cultivated olive tree. So God will much more readily [receive back the Jews because they belonged to him before] [MET]! [That will be like] the original branches [that had been cut off] being grafted {like grafting the original branches [that someone cut off], } back into the olive tree to which they [originally belonged]!
Kwa maana ikiwa ninyi mlikatwa nje kwa ulio kwa asili mzeituni mwitu, na kinyume cha asili mlipandikizwa katika mzeituni ulio mwema, si zaidi sana hawa Wayahudi, ambao ni kama matawi ya asili kuweza kupandikizwa tena ndani ya mzeituni wao wenyewe?
25 My [non-Jewish] fellow believers, I certainly want you to understand [LIT] this truth that God has now revealed [about my fellow Jews who are refusing to believe]. You should not proudly think [that] God [now favors you] more [than the Jews] (OR, [that you understand God’s further plans for the Jews]). Many [people of] Israel will continue to be stubborn until all the non-Jews [whom God has chosen have believed in Jesus].
Kwa maana ndugu sitaki msijue, kuhusiana na siri hii, ili kwamba msiwe na hekima katika kufikiri kwenu wenyewe. Siri hii ni kwamba ugumu umetokea katika Israeli, hadi kukamilika kwa mataifa kutakapokuja.
26 And then all [HYP] [the people of] Israel will be saved {[God] will save all [HYP] [the people of] Israel}. Then these words that are written {that [a prophet] wrote} [in the Scriptures will] ([become true/be fulfilled]): The one who sets [his people] free will originate from [the place where] God dwells (OR, from the Jews) [MTY]. Then he will remove the guilt of the Israelite people (OR, descendants of Jacob) [MTY].
Hivyo Israeli wote wataokoka, kama ilivyoandikwa: “Kutoka Sayuni atakuja Mkombozi. Atauondoa uovu kutoka kwa Yakobo.
27 And [as God says], The contract that I will make with them is that I will forgive their sins.
Na hili litakuwa agano langu pamoja nao, wakati nitakapoziondoa dhambi zao.”
28 With regard to [the Jews rejecting] the good message [about Christ, God treats] them as enemies, which has benefited you [non-Jews]. But in regard to [their being the people whom God] chose, [God still] loves them because of [what he promised] their ancestors.
Kwa upande mmoja kuhusu injili, wanachukiwa kwa sababu yenu. Kwa upande mwingine kutokana na uchaguzi wa Mungu, wamependwa kwa sababu ya mababu.
29 [He still loves them], because he never changed his mind about the privileges/blessings he [gave to them] and about his choosing [them to be his people].
Kwa kuwa zawadi na wito wa Mungu haubadiliki.
30 You [non-Jews] once disobeyed God, but now he has acted mercifully towards you because the [Jews] disobeyed him.
Kwa kuwa awali ninyi mlikuwa mmemwasi Mungu, lakini sasa mmeipokea rehema kwa sababu ya kuasi kwao.
31 Now the Jews have disobeyed God. The result is that by the very same way in which he acted mercifully towards you, he will act mercifully towards them [again].
Kwa njia iyo hiyo, sasa hawa Wayahudi wameasi. Matokeo yake ni kwamba kutokana na huruma mliyojaliwa ninyi wanaweza pia kupokea rehema.
32 God has declared and proved that all people, [both Jews and non-Jews] [MET], disobey ([him/his laws]). He has declared that because he wants to act mercifully towards us all. (eleēsē g1653)
Maana Mungu amewafunga watu wote katika uasi, ili aweze kuwahurumia wote. (eleēsē g1653)
33 [I marvel how] vast and great are the wise things that God [has done] and what he has [always] known [DOU]! We are completely unable to understand the things that he has decided and the ways [in which he acts toward us] [DOU]!
Jinsi zilivyo kuu utajiri na hekima na maarifa ya Mungu! Hazichunguziki hukumu zake, na njia zake hazigunduliki!
34 [I remember the Scriptures that say], (No one has known what the Lord thinks./Who has known what the Lord thinks?) [RHQ] (Absolutely no one has given him advice [about what he should do!]/Who has advised him [about what he should do]?) [RHQ]
“Maana ni nani aliyeijua nia ya Bwana? Au ni nani amekuwa mshauri wake?
35 And, (No one has given anything to God that [he did not previously receive from God!]/Has anyone given anything to God that [he did not previously receive from God]?) [RHQ] So God (is not obligated to/does not have to) pay back anything to anyone!
Au ni nani kwanza aliyempa kitu Mungu, ili alipwe tena?”
36 God [is the one who created] all things. He is also the one who [sustains all things]. The reason that he created them was that [everything he created might praise] him. May [all people] honor him forever! (May it be so!/Amen!) (aiōn g165)
Kwa maana kutoka kwake, na kwa njia yake na kwake, vitu vyote vipo. Kwake uwe utukufu milele. Amina. (aiōn g165)
