Nakkumu 2
1 Nineeve, olumbiddwa omulabe; kuuma ekigo, Kuuma ekkubo, weesibire ddala onywere mu kiwato, kuŋŋaanya amaanyi go gonna.
Nineveh! The destroyer has come up against you; mount guard upon the rampart; watch the road; brace yourselves; strengthen your might to the utmost.
2 Kubanga Mukama alizzaawo ekitiibwa kya Yakobo, kibe ng’ekitiibwa kya Isirayiri, newaakubadde ng’abazikiriza baabasaanyawo, ne boonoona emizabbibu gyabwe.
For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob and of Israel, though the devastators have plundered them and destroyed their vines.
3 Engabo z’eggye erikutabadde zonna myufu n’engoye ze bambadde nazo bwe zityo. Amagaali g’ebyuuma gamasamasa ku lunaku lwe gategekebwa, era n’amafumu gagalulwa mu ngeri ey’entiisa!
The shields of his warriors are dyed red, his soldiers are clothed in scarlet, his chariots gleam like fire on the day he prepares for battle spears are shaken.
4 Amagaali g’abalwanyi gatayira mu nguudo, gadda eno n’eri, galabika ng’emimuli egyaka, gamyansa ng’eggulu.
Chariots rush across the fields, storm through the squares; they flame like torches, they dart like lightening.
5 Omuduumizi bw’ayita abalwanyi be bajja bagwirana. Badduka mbiro ku bbugwe w’ekibuga we beetegekera okwerwanako.
A leader rallies his nobles, they hurl themselves forward. They speed on toward the wall; the storming-shield is set up.
6 Enzigi ez’omugga zigguddwawo, amazzi ne gasaanyaawo olubiri.
The water-gates are thrown open, and the palace dissolves in ruins.
7 Etteeka lyayisibwa ku kibuga nti kiriwaŋŋangusibwa, abaddu abakazi bakungubaga ng’amayiba, nga bwe beekuba mu bifuba.
The queen is stripped, she is carried off. Her maids moan like doves, beating upon their breasts.
8 Ab’omu Nineeve bafaanana ng’ekidiba eky’amazzi agakalira. Wadde nga babakoowoola nti, “Muyimirire, muyimirire!” bo beeyongerayo bweyongezi.
Like a pool of water is Nineveh, her waters fast ebbing away. ‘Stand firm! Stand firm!’ someone cries, but no one turns back.
9 Ffeeza yaakyo temugirekaawo, ne zaabu nayo mugitwalire ddala, omunyago teguggwaayo, eby’obugagga byakyo ebitabalika ebirungi ddala.
‘Loot the silver, loot the gold, for there is no end to the treasure, the wealth and precious things.’
10 Ekibuga kisigadde kyangaala! Abantu bonna emitima gibeewanise, emibiri gibakankana, amaviivi gabakubagana, basiiwuuse ne mu maaso.
Nineveh is empty, desolate, devastated, with faint heart and knocking knee. There is weakness in every limb, and faces grow pale.
11 Eri ludda wa empuku y’empologoma, ekifo we ziriisiza empologoma zaazo ento, empologoma ensajja, n’enkazi, n’ento we zaatambuliranga nga tewali kizikanga?
Where now is the den of lions? Where now the lair of their young? Where the lion used to withdraw, with his cubs, with none to disturb them?
12 Empologoma ensajja yayigganga ennyama y’abaana ebamala, n’enkazi n’ezittira eyaazo, n’ejjuza empuku n’omuyiggo, ne mu bisulo ne mujjula ennyama.
The lion tore enough for his cubs, and strangled prey for his lionesses. He filled his caves with the kill, he filled his lairs with fresh meat.
13 “Laba nze Mukama ow’Eggye nkwolekedde, era ndyokya amagaali go gonna ne ganyooka, n’ekitala kirizikiriza empologoma zo ento. Era tolifuna munyago mulala nate ku nsi, n’eddoboozi ly’ababaka bo teririddayo kuwulirwa.”
‘But see, I am against you,’ the Lord of hosts declares, ‘I will burn your chariots in smoke and fire. The sword will devour your young lions. You will never again prey on the land. No more will your messengers be heard.’
