1 Mootota 18
1 Yeroo dheeraa booddee, waggaa sadaffaatti dubbiin Waaqayyoo, “Dhaqiitii Ahaabitti of mulʼisi; anis lafa irratti bokkaa nan roobsaa” jedhee gara Eeliyaas dhufe.
For almost three years there was no rain in Samaria. Then Yahweh said this to Elijah: “Go and meet with King Ahab and [tell him that] I will soon send rain.”
2 Kanaafuu Eeliyaas Ahaabitti of mulʼisuu dhaqe. Yeroo kanatti Samaariyaa keessatti beelli hammaatee ture.
So Elijah went to talk to Ahab. In Samaria there was almost no food for anyone to eat.
3 Ahaabis Obaadiyaa itti gaafatama masaraa mootummaa isaa waamee ture. Obaadiyaan nama akka malee Waaqayyoon sodaatu ture.
There was a man there named Obadiah. He was in charge of the king’s palace. He greatly revered Yahweh.
4 Yeroo Iizaabel raajota Waaqayyoo ajjeesaa turtetti Obaadiyaan raajota dhibba tokko fuudhee shantama shantamaan holqa lama keessa dhoksee nyaataa fi bishaan dhiʼeessaafii ture.
One time when [Queen] Jezebel had [tried to] kill all Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah hid 100 of them in two caves. He put 50 prophets in each cave, and he brought food and water to them.
5 Ahaabis Obaadiyaadhaan akkana jedhe; “Biyyattii keessa deemiitii gara burqaawwanii fi sululawwan hundaa dhaqi. Akka horii keenya keessaa tokko iyyuu nu jalaa hin duuneef fardeenii fi gaangolii keenya jiraachifachuuf marga muraasa arganna taʼaatii.”
[By this time, the (famine/lack of food and water) had become very severe in Samaria]. So Ahab summoned Obadiah and said to him, “We must check/look near every spring and in every valley to see if we can find enough grass to give to some of my horses and mules, so that they will not all die.”
6 Kanaafuu isaan biyya keessa deemanii waliin gaʼuu barbaadan sana gargari qooddatan; Ahaab karaa tokko, Obaadiyaan immoo karaa kaan qajeele.
So they both started walking throughout the land. Obadiah went in one direction by himself, and Ahab went in another direction by himself.
7 Utuma Obaadiyaan karaa deemuu Eeliyaas isatti dhufe. Obaadiyaan isa beekee gad jedhee harka fuudhee, “Eeliyaas gooftaan koo dhugumaan siʼii?” jedheen.
While Obadiah was walking along, he saw Elijah coming toward him. Obadiah recognized Elijah and bowed down in front of him and said, “Is it really you, Elijah, my master?”
8 Innis deebisee, “Eeyyee, anuma. Dhaqiitii, ‘Eeliyaas as jira’ jedhii gooftaa keetti himi” jedheen.
Elijah replied, “Yes. Now go and tell [Ahab, ] your master, that I am here.”
9 Obaadiyaanis akkana jedhee gaafate; “Ati akka inni na ajjeesuuf garbicha kee dabarsitee Ahaabitti kennuun kee ani maal balleesseeti?
Obadiah objected. He said, “Sir, I have not [RHQ] harmed you at all. So why are you sending me back to Ahab? He will kill me!
10 Dhugaa Waaqayyo Waaqa kee jiraataa sanaa, sabni yookaan mootummaan gooftaan koo si barbaaduuf jedhee nama itti hin ergin tokko iyyuu hin jiru. Yeroo sabni yookaan mootummaan tokko, ‘Nu isa hin argine’ jedhutti, inni akka isaan akka si hin argin kakatan godha ture.
Yahweh your God [knows that I am telling the truth when] I solemnly declare that King Ahab has searched in every kingdom all over the world [HYP] to find you. Each time that some king said to him, ‘Elijah is not here,’ Ahab demanded that the king of that country solemnly swear/declare that the king was telling the truth.
11 Amma garuu ati, ‘Dhaqiitii, “Kunoo Eeliyaas as jira” jedhiitii gooftaa keetti himi’ naan jetta.
Now you say to me, ‘Go and tell your master that Elijah is here!’
12 Ani gara Hafuurri Waaqayyoo erga ani si biraa deeme itti si geessu hin beeku. Yoo ani dhaqee Ahaabitti himee inni immoo si arguu baate inni na ajjeesa. Garuu ani garbichi kee dargaggummaa kootii jalqabee Waaqayyoon waaqeffachaan jira.
But as soon as I leave you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you away, and I will not know where he will take you. So when [I tell] Ahab [that you are here and he] comes to me and he does not find you here, he will kill me! But [I do not deserve to die because] I have revered Yahweh since I was a boy.
13 Yaa gooftaa ko, ati waan ani yeroo Iizaabel raajota Waaqayyoo ajjeesaa turtetti hojjedhe hin dhageenyee? Ani raajota Waaqayyoo dhibba tokko shantama shantamaan holqa lama keessa dhokseen nyaataa fi bishaan dhiʼeesseef.
My master, have you not heard about what I did when Jezebel wanted to kill all of Yahweh’s prophets? I hid 100 of them in two caves and took food and water to them.
14 Amma immoo ati, ‘Dhaqiitii, “Kunoo Eeliyaas as jira” jedhii gooftaa keetti himi’ naan jetta. Inni dhugumaan na ajjeesa!”
Now, sir, you say, ‘Go and tell your master that Elijah is here.’ But if I do that, [and he comes and you are not here, ] he will kill me!”
15 Eeliyaasis deebisee, “Dhugaa Waaqayyoo Waan Hunda Dandaʼu kan ani isa tajaajilu sanaa, ani harʼa Ahaabitti ofan mulʼisa” jedhe.
But Elijah replied, “Yahweh, the Almighty One whom I serve [IDM], knows that [I am telling the truth as] I solemnly declare that I will go to meet with Ahab today.”
16 Kanaafuu Obaadiyaan gara Ahaab dhaqee itti hime; Ahaabis Eeliyaasin Simachuu dhaqe.
So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come. Ahab went to meet with him.
17 Innis Eeliyaasin argee, “Kan Israaʼelin jeequ sun siʼii?” jedheen.
When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, the one who causes trouble for [the people of] Israel?”
18 Eeliyaas immoo deebisee akkana jedheen; “Siʼii fi mana abbaa keetiitu jeeqe malee ani Israaʼelin hin jeeqne. Isin ajaja Waaqayyoo diddaniirtu; atis Baʼaal duukaa buuteerta.
Elijah replied, “It is not I who have caused trouble for the people of Israel! You and your family are the ones who have caused trouble! You have refused to obey Yahweh’s commands, and you have worshiped the idols of Baal instead.
19 Egaa amma akka isaan Tulluu Qarmeloos irratti na arganiif saba Israaʼel hunda walitti naaf waami. Raajota Baʼaal dhibba afurii fi shantamaa fi raajota Asheeraa dhibba afran maaddii Iizaabel irraa nyaatan sanas naaf fidi.”
So now, command all the Israeli people to come to Carmel Mountain, and [be sure to] bring all the 450 prophets who worship Baal and the 400 prophets who worship [the goddess] Asherah, the ones to whom [your wife] Jezebel brings food and water.”
20 Kanaafis Ahaab guutuu Israaʼel keessa ergaa ergee Tulluu Qarmeloos irratti raajota sana walitti qabe.
So Ahab summoned all his prophets and all the other [Israeli] people to the top of Carmel Mountain, [and Elijah went up there too.]
21 Eeliyaasis fuula sabaa duratti gad baʼee, “Isin hamma yoomiitti yaada lama gidduu deddeebitu? Yoo Waaqayyo Waaqa taʼe, isa faana deemaa; yoo Baʼaal Waaqa taʼe immoo isa faana deemaa” jedhe. Sabni garuu waan tokko illee hin jenne.
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long [RHQ] are you going to be undecided [about who is truly God]? If Yahweh is [truly] God, then worship/serve him. If Baal is truly God, then worship/serve him!” But the people said nothing [in reply, because they were afraid of what Jezebel would do to them if they admitted that they worshiped Yahweh].
22 Eeliyaasis akkana isaaniin jedhe; “Raajota Waaqayyoo keessaa ana qofatu hafe; Baʼaal garuu raajota dhibba afurii fi shantama qaba.
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only true prophet of Yahweh who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets.
23 Mee jiboota lama nuuf fidaa. Isaan dibicha tokko ofii isaaniitiif filatanii qalanii gargar ciranii qoraan irra haa naqan; garuu ibidda itti hin qabsiisin. Anis dibicha isa kaan qopheessee qoraan irra nan kaaʼa; garuu ibidda itti hin qabsiisu.
Bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose the one that they want. They must [kill it and] cut it into pieces and lay the pieces on the wood that is on the altar that they have made. But they must not light a fire [under the wood]. [I will kill the other bull and cut it in pieces and lay the pieces on the altar that I make].
24 Ergasii isin maqaa Waaqa keessanii waamaa; anis maqaa Waaqayyo nan waama. Kan ibiddaan deebii kennu inni Waaqa dhugaa ti.” Kana irratti namoonni hundinuu, “Wanni ati jettu kun gaarii dha” jedhan.
Then they must call to their god [MTY], and I will call to Yahweh. The god who answers by lighting a fire [to the wood that is on that altar] is [the true] God!” Then all the people thought that Elijah’s suggestion was good.
25 Eeliyaasis raajota Baʼaaliin akkana jedhe; “Jiboota keessaa isa tokko filadhaatii sababii isin nama hedduu taataniif jalqabatti qalaa qopheessaa. Maqaa Waaqa keessanii waammadhaa; garuu ibidda hin bobeessinaa.”
Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You call to Baal first, because there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls and prepare it, and then call to your god. But do not light a fire under the wood!”
26 Kanaafuu isaan dibicha isaaniif kenname fudhatanii qalanii qopheessan. Ergasii immoo ganamaa jalqabanii hamma saafaatti maqaa Baʼaal waammachaa oolan. “Yaa Baʼaal deebii nuuf kenni!” jedhanii iyyaa oolan. Garuu deebiin tokko illee hin argamne; kan deebii kennuuf tokko iyyuus hin turre. Iddoo aarsaa kan tolchan sanattis naannaʼanii shubbisan.
So they killed one of the bulls and cut it up and placed the pieces on the altar. Then they called out to Baal all morning. They shouted, “Baal, answer us!” But no one answered. There was no reply at all [DOU]. Then they danced wildly around the altar that they had made.
27 Gara saafaattis Eeliyaas, “Mee sagalee ol fudhadhaatii iyyaa! Inni dhugumaan Waaqa! Yaadni itti baayʼateera taʼa yookaan hojiin qabamee yookaan karaa deemee jira taʼaatii. Inni rafuutti jira taʼaatii dammaquu qaba” jedhee isaanitti qoosuu jalqabe.
About noontime, Elijah started to make fun of them. He said, “[Surely] Baal is a god, so it seems that you must shout louder! Perhaps he is thinking about something, or perhaps he has gone to the toilet. Or perhaps he is traveling somewhere, or perhaps he is asleep and you need to wake him up!”
28 Kanaafuu isaan akkuma amala isaanii sagalee ol fudhatanii iyyaa, goraadee fi eeboodhaan of ciranii dhiiga ofii isaanii dhangalaasan.
So they shouted louder. Then, doing one of the things that they frequently did [when they worshiped Baal], they slashed/cut themselves with knives and swords until a lot of blood flowed.
29 Erga saafaan darbees isaan hamma yeroon aarsaa galgalaa gaʼutti raajii dubbachaa turan. Garuu sagaleen tokko iyyuu hin dhagaʼamne; kan deebii kenneef tokko iyyuu hin turre; kan wayittuu isaan hedes hin jiru.
They continued calling out to Baal all afternoon. But there was no reply, no answer, no god who paid attention.
30 Eeliyaas immoo ergasii saba hundaan, “Mee as gara koo kottaa” jedhe. Isaan gara isaa dhufnaan inni iddoo aarsaa Waaqayyoo kan caccabee ture sana deebisee tolche.
Then Elijah called to the people saying, “Come closer!” So they all crowded around him. Then Elijah repaired the altar of Yahweh that had previously been (ruined/torn down) [by the prophets of Baal].
31 Eeliyaasis akkuma baayʼina gosoota ilmaan Yaaqoob namicha dubbiin Waaqayyoo gara isaa dhufee, “Maqaan kee Israaʼel ni taʼa” jedheen sanaatti dhagaa kudha lama walitti qabe.
Then he took twelve [large] stones, each one to represent one of the Israeli tribes. The names of those tribes were given to them by their ancestor Jacob.
32 Dhagaawwan sanaanis maqaa Waaqayyootiin iddoo aarsaa tolche; naannoo isaattis boʼoo bishaan gara liitira kudha shan qabatu baqaqse.
With these stones he rebuilt Yahweh’s altar. Then around the altar he dug a little ditch that was large enough to hold about (three gallons/12 liters) of water.
33 Innis qoraan qopheessee, dibicha kaan qalee gargar ciree qoraan sana irra foon naqe. Ergasii immoo, “Mee okkotee gurguddaa afur fidaa bishaaniin guutaatii aarsaa fi qoraan irratti naqaa” jedheen.
He piled wood on top of the stones. He killed the bull and cut it in pieces. Then he laid the pieces on top of the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water on top of the pieces of meat and the wood.” So they did that.
34 Innis, “Amma illee akkasuma godhaa” jedheen; isaanis amma illee akkasuma godhan. Innis, “Yeroo sadaffaaf godhaa” jedhee ajaje; isaanis yeroo sadaffaa illee akkasuma godhan.
Then he said, “Do the same thing again!” So they did it again. Then he said “Do it a third time!” So they did it again.
35 Bishaan sunis naannoo iddoo aarsaa sanaa lolaʼee boʼoo guute.
As a result, the water flowed down below the altar and filled the ditches.
36 Yeroo aarsaan dhiʼaatutti, Eeliyaas raajichi gad baʼee akkana jedhee kadhate; “Yaa Waaqayyo, yaa Waaqa Abrahaam, Waaqa Yisihaaq, Waaqa Israaʼel, akka ati Israaʼel keessatti Waaqa taatee fi akka anis garbicha kee taʼee amma illee waan kana hunda ajajuma keetiin akkan hojjedhe harʼa haa beekamu.
When it was time to offer the evening sacrifices, Elijah walked close [to the altar] and prayed. He said, “Yahweh, you who are the God that [our ancestors] Abraham and Isaac and Jacob [worshiped], prove today that you are the God whom the Israeli people [should worship], and prove that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all these things because you told me to do them.
37 Yaa Waaqayyo deebii naa kenni; yaa Waaqayyo akka sabni kun akka ati Waaqa taatee fi akka ati garaa isaa illee gara keetti deebiftu beekuuf deebii naaf kenni.”
Yahweh, answer me! Answer me in order that these people will know that you, Yahweh God, [have the power to do what you say that you will do], and that you have caused them to trust in [IDM] you again!”
38 Kana irratti ibiddi Waaqayyoo gad buʼee aarsaa, qoraan, dhagaa fi biyyoo gubee bishaan boʼoo keessaa sanas xuuxee fixe.
Immediately a fire from Yahweh flashed down from the sky. The fire burned up the pieces of meat, the wood, the stones, and the dirt [that was around the altar]. It even dried up all the water in the ditch!
39 Namoonni hundinuu yommuu waan kana arganitti addaan lafatti gombifamanii, “Waaqayyo inni Waaqa! Waaqayyo inni Waaqa!” jedhanii iyyan.
When the people saw that, they prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted, “Yahweh is God! Yahweh is God!”
40 Eeliyaasis, “Raajota Baʼaal kanneen qabaa. Tokkoon isaanii iyyuu hin miliqin!” jedhee isaan ajaje. Isaanis jara ni qaban; Eeliyaasis gara Sulula Qiishoonitti geessee achitti isaan gogorraʼe.
Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize all the prophets of Baal! Do not allow any of them to escape!” So the people seized all the prophets of Baal, and took them down the mountain to the Kishon Valley, and Elijah killed them all there.
41 Eeliyaasis Ahaabiin, “Deemi; nyaadhuu dhugi; huursaa bokkaa guddaa isaatu dhagaʼamaa jiraatii” jedhe.
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go and get something to eat and drink. [But do it quickly, because] it is soon going to rain very hard!”
42 Kanaafuu Ahaab nyaachuu fi dhuguuf deeme; Eeliyaas garuu fiixee Qarmeloos ol baʼee gad jedhee fuula isaa jilba isaa gidduu kaaʼate.
So Ahab [and his men] left to prepare a big meal. But Elijah went back up to the top of Carmel Mountain and prayed.
43 Innis hojjetaa isaatiin, “Dhaqiitii gara galaanaa ilaali” jedhe. Hojjetaan sunis ol baʼee ilaale. Innis, “Wanni tokko iyyuu achi hin jiru” jedhe. Eeliyaasis, “Yeroo torba, deddeebiʼii ilaali” jedheen.
Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea, [to see if there are any rain clouds.]” So his servant went and looked, [and came back] and said, “I do not see anything.” This happened six times.
44 Hojjetaan sun yeroo torbaffaatti, “Duumessa xinnaa hamma konyee namaa gaʼu tokkotu galaana irraa ol kaʼaa jira” jedhee itti hime. Kanaafuu Eeliyaas, “Dhaqiitii Ahaabiin, ‘Gaarii kee yaabbadhuutii utuu bokkaan si hin qabatin gad buʼi’ jedhii itti himi” jedheen.
But when the servant went the seventh time, he came back and said, “I saw a very small cloud above the sea. [As I extend my arm, ] the cloud is about the size of my hand/fist.” Then Elijah shouted to him, “Go and tell King Ahab to get his chariot ready and go home immediately! If he does not do that, the rain will stop him!”
45 Yeruma sana samiin duumessaan gurraachaʼee bubbeen bubbise; bokkaan guddaan isaa dhufnaan Ahaab gulufee Yizriʼeelitti baqate.
Very soon the sky was full of black clouds. There was a strong wind, and then it began to rain very hard. Ahab got into his chariot and started to return to Jezreel [city].
46 Humni Waaqayyoos Eeliyaas irra buʼe; innis mudhii isaa hidhatee hamma karra Yizriʼeelitti Ahaab dura darbee fiige.
Yahweh gave extra strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt [in order to run fast], and he ran ahead of Ahab’s [chariot] all the way [17 miles/26 km.] to Jezreel.
