< UHoseya 10 >
1 U-Israyeli wayelivini eliqhelayo, wazizalela izithelo. Ngokwanda kwezithelo zakhe wakha ama-alithare amanengi; kwathi ngokuphumelela kwelizwe lakhe wahlobisa amatshe akhe akhonzwayo.
Israel is a luxuriant vine that puts forth his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. As their land has prospered, they have adorned their sacred stones.
2 Inhliziyo zabo ziyakhohlisa, khathesi kufanele bathwale icala labo. UThixo uzawabhidliza ama-alithare abo, uwachithile lamatshe abo, akhonzwayo.
Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will demolish their altars. He will destroy their sacred stones.
3 Ngakho bazakuthi, “Thina kasilankosi ngoba kasimhloniphanga uThixo. Kodwa loba sasingaba lenkosi, kuyini eyayingasenzela khona?”
Surely now they will say, "We have no king; for we do not fear the LORD; and the king, what can he do for us?"
4 Benza izithembiso ezinengi, bafunge izifungo zamanga, benze lezivumelwano; ngakho amacala ayanda njengokhula olubulalayo ensimini elinyiweyo.
They make promises, swearing falsely in making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.
5 Abantu abahlala eSamariya bayesaba ngenxa yesithombe sethole saseBhethi-Aveni. Abantu bakhona bazasililela benzenjalo labaphristi bakhona abakhonza izithombe, labo abathokozela ubuhle baso ngoba sithethwe kubo ekuthunjweni.
The inhabitants of Samaria will be in terror for the calves of Beth Aven; for its people will mourn over it, Along with its priests who rejoiced over it, for its glory, because it has departed from it.
6 Sizathwalelwa e-Asiriya njengomthelo enkosini enkulu. U-Efrayimi uzayangeka; u-Israyeli uzakuba lenhloni ngezithombe zakhe zezigodo.
It also will be carried bound to Assyria as tribute for a great king. Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel.
7 ISamariya lenkosi yakhona kuzabhujiswa kuzakhukhulwa kuhambe njengogatshanyana phezu kwamanzi.
Samaria and her king float away, like a twig on the water.
8 Izindawo zokukhonzela zobuxhwali zizachithwa, kuyisono sika-Israyeli. Ameva lokhula kuzakhula kwembese ama-alithare abo. Lapho-ke bazakuthi ezintabeni, “Sembeseni!” Lakuwo amaqaqa bathi, “Welani phezu kwethu!”
The high places also of Beth Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will grow on their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us." and to the hills, "Cover us."
9 “Kusukela ensukwini zaseGibhiya wenze isono, we Israyeli, njalo ulokhu usele khonapho. Kanje impi kayibaficanga yini abenza okubi eGibhiya?
"Israel, you have sinned from the days of Gibeah. There they remained. The battle against the children of iniquity doesn't overtake them in Gibeah.
10 Lapho sengifuna, ngizabajezisa; izizwe zizaqoqanela ukumelana labo ukuba zibabophele isono sabo esiphindiweyo.
I am coming to discipline them; and the nations will be gathered against them, when they are disciplined for their two transgressions.
11 U-Efrayimi ulithokazi elifundisiweyo elithanda ukubhula amabele; ngakho ngizagaxa ijogwe entanyeni yakhe enhle. U-Efrayimi ngizamtshayela, uJuda kumele alime uJakhobe kumele abulale amagade.
Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her beautiful neck. I will set a rider on Ephraim. Judah will plow. Jacob will break his clods.
12 Zihlanyeleleni ukulunga, vunani isithelo sothando olungapheliyo, liqeqebule lomhlabathi wenu ongalinywanga; ngoba kuyisikhathi sokudinga uThixo, aze abuye athele ukulunga phezu kwenu.
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
13 Kodwa lina lihlanyele ukuxhwala, livune ububi, lidle isithelo senkohliso. Njengoba lithembe amandla enu lamabutho enu amanengi,
You have plowed wickedness. You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, for you trusted in your way, in the multitude of your mighty men.
14 ukuhlokoma kwempi kuzakuba khona ebantwini bakini, ngakho zonke izinqaba zenu zizabhidlizwa njengalokhu uShalimani wabhidliza iBhethi-Abheli ngosuku lwempi, lapho onina basakazelwa phansi labantwababo.
Therefore a battle roar will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of battle. The mother was dashed in pieces with her children.
15 Kuzakwenzakala kanjalo lakuwe, wena Bhetheli, ngoba ukuxhwala kwakho kukhulu. Lapho lolosuku lusisa, inkosi yako-Israyeli izachithwa okupheleleyo.”
So Bethel will do to you because of your great wickedness. At daybreak the king of Israel will be destroyed.