< Hosea 11 >

1 “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
“Wakati Israeli alipokuwa mtoto, nilimpenda, nilimwita mwanangu kutoka Misri.
2 They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burnt incense to engraved images.
Lakini kadiri nilivyomwita Israeli, ndivyo walivyokwenda mbali nami. Walitoa dhabihu kwa Mabaali na kufukiza uvumba kwa vinyago.
3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.
Mimi ndiye niliyemfundisha Efraimu kutembea, nikiwashika mikono; lakini hawakutambua kuwa ni mimi niliyewaponya.
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.
Niliwaongoza kwa kamba za huruma ya kibinadamu, kwa vifungo vya upendo; niliondoa nira shingoni mwao nami nikainama kuwalisha.
5 “They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.
“Je, hawatarudi Misri, nayo Ashuru haitawatawala kwa sababu wamekataa kutubu?
6 The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.
Panga zitametameta katika miji yao, zitaharibu makomeo ya malango yao na kukomesha mipango yao.
7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.
Watu wangu wamedhamiria kuniacha. Hata kama wakimwita Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, kwa vyovyote hatawainua.
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.
“Efraimu, ninawezaje kukuacha? Ee Israeli, ninawezaje kukutoa? Nitawezaje kukutendea kama Adma? Nitawezaje kukufanya kama Seboimu? Moyo wangu umegeuka ndani yangu, huruma zangu zote zimeamshwa.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One amongst you. I will not come in wrath.
Sitatimiza hasira yangu kali, wala sitageuka na kumharibu Efraimu. Kwa kuwa mimi ndimi Mungu, wala si mwanadamu, Aliye Mtakatifu miongoni mwenu. Sitakuja kwa ghadhabu.
10 They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.
Watamfuata Bwana; atanguruma kama simba. Wakati angurumapo, watoto wake watakuja wakitetemeka kutoka magharibi.
11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.
Watakuja wakitetemeka kama ndege wakitoka Misri, kama hua wakitoka Ashuru. Nitawakalisha katika nyumba zao,” asema Bwana.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.
Efraimu amenizunguka kwa uongo, nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu. Naye Yuda ni mkaidi dhidi ya Mungu, hata kinyume cha yule mwaminifu Aliye Mtakatifu.

< Hosea 11 >