UHoseya 13
1 Lapho u-Efrayimi ekhuluma, abantu bathuthumela; wabatshazwa ko-Israyeli. Kodwa waba lecala lokukhonza uBhali wasesifa.
When Ephraim spoke trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
2 Khathesi benza izono njalonjalo; bazenzela izithombe ngesiliva sabo, izifanekiso ezenziwe ngokuhlakanipha, zonke ziyimisebenzi yezingcitshi. Ngabantu laba kuthiwa, “Banikela imihlatshelo yabantu, bange izithombe zamathole.”
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
3 Ngakho bazakuba njengenkungu yekuseni, njengamazolo ekuseni anyamalalayo, njengamakhoba asuka ezizeni, njengentuthu iphuma ewindini.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
4 “Kodwa mina nginguThixo uNkulunkulu wenu, owalikhupha elizweni laseGibhithe. Kaliyikwamukela omunye uNkulunkulu ngaphandle kwami, hatshi omunye uMsindisi ngaphandle kwami.
Yet I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, and you shall know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
5 Ngalilondoloza enkangala, elizweni elilokutshisa okuvuthayo.
I did know you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
6 Lapho ngibapha ukudla, basutha; sebesuthi, basuka bazigqaja; basebengikhohlwa.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
7 Ngizakwehlela phezu kwabo njengesilwane, ngizacathama ngasendleleni njengengwe.
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
8 Njengebhele elithathelwe imidlwane yalo ngizabahlasela ngibaqhaqhe. Ngizabadla njengesilwane, inyamazana yeganga izabadabula.
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the lobe of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
9 Uchithiwe, wena Israyeli, ngoba umelane lami, umelane lomsizi wakho.
O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in me is your help.
10 Ingaphi inkosi yakho, ukuba ikusize na? Bangaphi ababusi bakho kuwo wonke amadolobho akho, bona owathi ngabo, ‘Ngipha inkosi lababusi’?
I will be your king: where is any other that may save you in all your cities? and your judges of whom you said, Give me a king and princes?
11 Ngakho ngakunika inkosi ngithukuthele, njalo ngolaka lwami ngayisusa.
I gave you a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
12 Icala lika-Efrayimi ligciniwe, izono zakhe zigcinwe emibhalweni.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
13 Ufikelwa yibuhlungu obunjengowesifazane ehelelwa, kodwa ungumntwana ongelalwazi; lapho isikhathi sifika, kabuyi ekuvulekeni kwesizalo.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking out of children.
14 Ngizabahlenga emandleni engcwaba; ngizabasindisa ekufeni. Zingaphi, we kufa izifo zakho? Kungaphi, we ngcwaba, ukuchitha kwakho? Kangiyikuba lesihawu, (Sheol h7585)
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be your plagues; O grave, I will be your destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. (Sheol h7585)
15 lanxa ekhula phakathi kwabafowabo. Umoya wasempumalanga ovela kuThixo uzafika, uphephetha uvela enkangala; intwasa yakhe izakwehluleka, lemithombo yakhe itshe. Indlu yakhe yokugcinela izaphangwa yonke ingcebo yayo.
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
16 Abantu baseSamariya kuzamela balithwale icala labo, ngoba bamhlamukele uNkulunkulu wabo. Bazabulawa ngenkemba; insane zabo zizasakazelwa phansi, abesifazane babo abazithweleyo baqhaqhwe.”
Samaria shall become desolate; for she has rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
