UHoseya 11
1 “U-Israyeli esesengumntwana, ngangimthanda njalo indodana yami ngayikhupha eGibhithe.
Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.
2 Kodwa kwathi lapho u-Israyeli ngimbiza kanengi kwayikhona ehlehlela khatshana lami. Banikela imihlatshelo kuboBhali, batshisela lezifanekiso impepha.
They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.
3 Yimi engafundisa u-Efrayimi ukuhamba, ngibabambe ngezingalo; kodwa kababonanga ukuthi yimi engabelaphayo.
And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened them.
4 Ngabakhokhela ngentambo zomusa woluntu, ngezibopho zothando; ngaba njengomuntu osusa amajogwe entanyeni zabo, ngakhothamela phansi ukuba angiphe ukudla.
With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].
5 Kabayikubuyela eGibhithe na, njalo i-Asiriya kayiyikubabusa na njengoba besala ukuphenduka?
He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
6 Izinkemba zizaphazima emadolobheni abo, zizachitha imigoqo yamasango abo ziqede amacebo abo.
Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.
7 Abantu bami bazimisele ukungihlamukela. Lanxa bekhuleka koPhezukonke kasoze abaphakamise.
And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.
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 do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.
9 Kangiyikwenza okwentukuthelo yami eyesabekayo, kumbe ngiphenduke ngimqothule u-Efrayimi. Ngoba nginguNkulunkulu, hatshi umuntu, oNgcwele phakathi kwenu. Kangiyikuza ngolaka.
I do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,
10 Bazamlandela uThixo; uzabhonga njengesilwane. Lapho esebhonga, abantwana bakhe bazakuza beqhaqhazela bevela entshonalanga.
After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.
11 Bazakuza bevela eGibhithe beqhaqhazela njengezinyoni bevela e-Asiriya bephaphazela njengamajuba. Ngizabahlalisa emakhaya abo,” kutsho uThixo.
They tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of Jehovah.
12 “U-Efrayimi usengizingeleze ngamanga, lendlu ka-Israyeli ngenkohliso. LoJuda uluhlaza kuNkulunkulu, kanye lakuye othembekileyo oNgcwele.”
Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!
