UHoseya 11
1 “U-Israyeli esesengumntwana, ngangimthanda njalo indodana yami ngayikhupha eGibhithe.
When Israel was a child, I loved him, And called my son out of Egypt,
2 Kodwa kwathi lapho u-Israyeli ngimbiza kanengi kwayikhona ehlehlela khatshana lami. Banikela imihlatshelo kuboBhali, batshisela lezifanekiso impepha.
But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned incense to idols.
3 Yimi engafundisa u-Efrayimi ukuhamba, ngibabambe ngezingalo; kodwa kababonanga ukuthi yimi engabelaphayo.
I helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not that I healed them.
4 Ngabakhokhela ngentambo zomusa woluntu, ngezibopho zothando; ngaba njengomuntu osusa amajogwe entanyeni zabo, ngakhothamela phansi ukuba angiphe ukudla.
I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I was to them as those who lift up the yoke from their jaws; I dealt gently with them, and gave them food.
5 Kabayikubuyela eGibhithe na, njalo i-Asiriya kayiyikubabusa na njengoba besala ukuphenduka?
They shall no more go down to Egypt; For the Assyrian shall be their king, Because they refuse to return to me.
6 Izinkemba zizaphazima emadolobheni abo, zizachitha imigoqo yamasango abo ziqede amacebo abo.
The sword shall fall upon their cities, It shall consume their bars, and devour Because of their devices.
7 Abantu bami bazimisele ukungihlamukela. Lanxa bekhuleka koPhezukonke kasoze abaphakamise.
For my people persevere in turning away from me; Though they are called to the Most High, None will exalt him.
8 Ngingakukhalela kanjani, Efrayimi? Ngingakunikela kanjani, Israyeli? Ngingakuphatha kanjani njengo-Adima na? Ngingakwenza kanjani, njengoZebhoyimi na? Inhliziyo yami iguqukile phakathi kwami; isihawu sami sonke siqubukile.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I abandon thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is changed within me; Yea, my compassion is kindled.
9 Kangiyikwenza okwentukuthelo yami eyesabekayo, kumbe ngiphenduke ngimqothule u-Efrayimi. Ngoba nginguNkulunkulu, hatshi umuntu, oNgcwele phakathi kwenu. Kangiyikuza ngolaka.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in the midst of thee, And I will not come in anger.
10 Bazamlandela uThixo; uzabhonga njengesilwane. Lapho esebhonga, abantwana bakhe bazakuza beqhaqhazela bevela entshonalanga.
They shall walk after Jehovah, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten from the west;
11 Bazakuza bevela eGibhithe beqhaqhazela njengezinyoni bevela e-Asiriya bephaphazela njengamajuba. Ngizabahlalisa emakhaya abo,” kutsho uThixo.
They shall hasten as a bird from Egypt, And as a dove from the land of Assyria, And I will place them in their houses, saith Jehovah.
12 “U-Efrayimi usengizingeleze ngamanga, lendlu ka-Israyeli ngenkohliso. LoJuda uluhlaza kuNkulunkulu, kanye lakuye othembekileyo oNgcwele.”
Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah also is inconstant toward God, Toward the holy and faithful one.
