1 Madzimambo 18
1 Zvino mushure menguva huru, mugore rechitatu, shoko raJehovha rakauya kuna Eria richiti, “Enda undozviratidza kuna Ahabhu, uye ini ndichanayisa mvura panyika.”
Sometime later, during the third year, a message from the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and appear before Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.”
2 Saka Eria akaenda kundozviratidza kuna Ahabhu. Zvino nzara yakanga yanyanya kwazvo muSamaria,
So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. In the meantime the famine had become severe in Samaria.
3 uye Ahabhu akanga adana Obhadhia uyo akanga ari mutariri womuzinda wake. (Obhadhia akanga achitenda kuna Jehovha zvikuru kwazvo.
Ahab summoned Obadiah, the manager of his palace (Obadiah was a very sincere believer in the Lord.
4 Jezebheri paakanga achiuraya vaprofita vaJehovha, Obhadhia akanga atora vaprofita zana akavaviga mumapako maviri, makumi mashanu mune rimwe nerimwe. Uye akavapa kudya nemvura.)
While Jezebel was busy killing the Lord's prophets, Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty in each of two caves, and had provided them with food and water.)
5 Ahabhu akanga ati kuna Obhadhia, “Enda munyika umu kuzvitubu zvose nemipata yose. Zvimwe tingawana uswa tiraramise mabhiza namanyurusi kuitira kuti tirege kuzouraya kana chimwe chete chezvipfuwo zvedu.”
Ahab told Obadiah, “Go throughout the country and check all the springs and valleys. Perhaps we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not lose any of the animals.”
6 Saka vakagovana nzvimbo dzavaizoenda, Ahabhu achienda kune rimwe divi, Obhadhia kune rimwewo divi.
So they divided the land between them. Ahab went in one direction, and Obadiah the other.
7 Obhadhia akati achifamba, Eria akasangana naye. Obhadhia akamuziva akakotamira pasi, akati, “Chaizvoizvo chokwadi, ndimi here ishe wangu Eria?”
As Obadiah went on his way, Elijah came to meet him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?”
8 Akapindura akati, “Hongu. Enda undoudza ishe wako kuti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’”
“It's me,” Elijah replied. “Go and tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.’”
9 Obhadhia akabvunza akati, “Ndatadzeiko zvamava kuendesa muranda wenyu kuna Ahabhu kuti andourayiwa?
“How have I sinned that you are handing me, your servant, over to Ahab to be killed?
10 Zvirokwazvo naJehovha Mwari wenyu mupenyu, hakuna rudzi kana nyika, ishe wangu, kwaasina kutuma mumwe munhu kuti andokutsvagai. Uye kana pane nyika kana rudzi vaiti makanga musiko, aitovamanikidza kuti vapike kuti vakanga vakushayai.
As the Lord your God lives, there's no nation or kingdom where my master hasn't sent someone to search for you. When a nation or kingdom said you weren't there, he made them swear that they couldn't find you.
11 Asi zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’
And now you're telling me to go to my master and announce, ‘Elijah is here!’
12 Ini handizivi kuti Mweya waJehovha uchakuendesai kupi kana ndabva pano pamuri. Kana ndikaenda kundoudza Ahabhu, iye akazokushayai, anondiuraya. Asi ini muranda wenyu ndakashumira Jehovha kubvira pauduku hwangu.
I have no idea where the Spirit of the Lord will take you after I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and then he can't find you, he's going to kill me, even though I, your servant, have worshiped the Lord since I was young.
13 Ishe wangu, hamuna kunzwa here zvandakaita, Jezebheri paakanga achiuraya vaprofita vaJehovha? Ndakaviga vaprofita vaJehovha zana mumapako maviri, makumi mashanu mune rimwe nerimwe uye ndakavapa kudya nemvura.
Didn't you hear, my lord, what I did when Jezebel was busy killing the Lord's prophets? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets, fifty in each of two caves, and provided them with food and water.
14 Zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’ Anondiuraya!”
And now you're telling me to go to my master and announce, ‘Elijah is here.’ He's going to kill me!”
15 Eria akati, “NaJehovha Wamasimba Ose mupenyu, wandinoshandira, zvirokwazvo ndichazvipira kuna Ahabhu nhasi.”
Elijah replied, “As the Lord Almighty lives, the one I serve, I will definitely appear before Ahab today.”
16 Saka Obhadhia akaenda kundosangana naAhabhu akamuudza, uye Ahabhu akaenda kundosangana naEria.
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 Paakaona Eria, akati kwaari, “Ndiwe here, iwe mutambudzi weIsraeri?”
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you—you who are causing trouble for Israel?”
18 Eria akapindura akati, “Handina kuuyisa dambudziko kuIsraeri, asi imi nemhuri yenyu ndimi makadaro. Makasiya mirayiro yaJehovha mukatevera Bhaari.
“I'm not causing trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “It's you and your father's family! You have rejected the Lord's commands and are worshiping the Baals.
19 Zvino danai vanhu muIsraeri yose kuti vazosangana neni paGomo reKarimeri. Muuyewo namazana mana namakumi mashanu avaprofita vaBhaari namazana mana avaprofita vaAshera vanodya patafura yaJezebheri.”
Now call together all of Israel and meet me on Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who are supported by Jezebel.”
20 Saka Ahabhu akatuma shoko muIsraeri yose akaunganidza vaprofita paGomo reKarimeri.
So Ahab summoned all of Israel and also gathered the prophets on Mount Carmel.
21 Eria akaenda pamberi pavanhu akati, “Mucharamba muchifunga mifungo miviri kusvikira riniko? Kana Jehovha ari Mwari, muteverei; asi kana Bhaari ari Mwari, muteverei.” Asi vanhu havana chavakataura.
Elijah approached the people and asked them, “How long will you hobble along, hesitating between two opposite beliefs? If the Lord is God, then follow him. But if Baal is God, then follow him.” But the people gave o answer.
22 Zvino Eria akati kwavari, “Ini chete pavaprofita vaJehovha ndini ndasara, asi Bhaari ane vaprofita mazana mana namakumi mashanu.
Then Elijah told them, “I am the only one left of the Lord's prophets—just me alone—but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.
23 Titorerei hando mbiri. Ivo ngavazvisarudzire yavo, uye ngavaicheke-cheke kuita zvidimbu zvidimbu vagoiisa pamusoro pehuni, asi havafaniri kudzitungidza nomoto. Ini ndichagadzira imwe hando yacho ndigoiisa pamusoro pehuni asi handizodzitungidzi nomoto.
Provide us with two bulls. Let the prophets of Baal choose for themselves the one they want, and have them cut it into pieces and place it on the firewood. But don't set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the firewood but I won't set fire to it.
24 Ipapo mudane kuzita ramwari wenyu, uye ini ndichadana kuzita raJehovha. Mwari achapindura nomoto ndiye Mwari.” Ipapo vanhu vose vakati, “Zvawataura zvakanaka.”
Then you call on your god by name, and I will call on the Lord by name. The god who replies by sending fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “We agree to what you say.”
25 Eria akati kuvaprofita vaBhaari, “Sarudzai imwe yehando idzi mugotanga imi kuigadzira, sezvo makawanda. Danai kuzita ramwari wenyu, asi musatungidza moto.”
Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, because there are so many of you. Call on your god by name, but don't light the fire.”
26 Saka vakatora hando yavakanga vapiwa vakaigadzira. Ipapo vakadana kuzita raBhaari kubvira mangwanani kusvikira masikati. Vakadanidzira vakati, “Bhaari, tipindure!” Asi mhinduro haina kuwanikwa; hapana akapindura. Vakatamba vachipoterera aritari yavakanga vaita.
So they took the bull provided and prepared it. Then they called on Baal by name from morning until noon. “Baal, answer us!” they pleaded. But no voice was heard, no one answered. They hobbled in a dance around the altar they had made.
27 Ava masikati, Eria akatanga kuvatuka akati, “Danidzirisai! Zvirokwazvo ndimwari! Zvichida ari kufunga zvakadzama kwazvo, kana kuti ane basa kwazvo, kana kuti ari parwendo. Zvimwe akavata zvokuti anotofanira kumutswa.”
At noon Elijah began to mock them. “Shout really loud!” he said. “Isn't he meant to be a god? Maybe he's meditating, or he's gone to the bathroom, or he's away on a trip! Maybe he's asleep and has to be woken up!”
28 Saka vakatonyanyisa kudanidzira, vakazvicheka-cheka neminondo namapfumo, setsika yavo, kusvikira ropa ravo raerera.
They shouted even louder and cut themselves with swords and spears until they bled. This was their usual way of worshiping.
29 Masikati akapfuura, ivo vakaramba vachiprofita zveshungu kusvikira nguva yechibayiro chamanheru. Asi hapana chakaitika, hapana akapindura, hapana akaratidza hanya.
Noon came and went, and they went on with their manic “prophesying” until the time of the evening sacrifice. But no voice was heard, no one answered, no one was listening.
30 Ipapo Eria akati kuvanhu vose, “Uyai kuno kwandiri.” Vakauya kwaari, iye akagadzira aritari yaJehovha yakanga yaputswa.
Then Elijah told everyone, “Come over here to me.” They went over to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down.
31 Eria akatora mabwe gumi namaviri, rimwe chete rakamirira rudzi rumwe chete rwavanakomana vaJakobho, uyo akanga audzwa naJehovha kuti, “Zita rako richava Israeri.”
Elijah took twelve stones to represent the tribes of the sons of Jacob. (Jacob was the one who received the Lord's message that said, “Israel shall be your name.”)
32 Akashandisa mabwe aya kuvaka aritari muzita raJehovha, uye akachera mugero waipoteredza aritari wakanga wakakura zvokuti waikwana maseya maviri embeu.
With the stones he built an altar in the Lord's name. He dug a ditch around it that could hold two seahs of seed.
33 Akaronga huni, akacheka hando kuita zvidimbu zvidimbu, akaiisa pamusoro pehuni. Ipapo akati kwavari, “Zadzai zvirongo zvikuru zvina nemvura mugoidira pamusoro pechipiriso napamusoro pehuni.”
He put the wood in place, cut the bull into pieces, and laid it on the wood. Then he told them, “Fill up four large jars with water and pour it over the offering and the wood.”
34 Akati, “Pamhidzai zvakare,” ivo vakapamhazve. Akatizve, “Pamhidzai kechitatu.”
“Do it again,” he said. So they did. “Do it for a third time,” he said. So they did it for the third time.
35 Mvura yakaerera ichipoteredza aritari ikazadzawo nomugero.
The water ran down all over the altar and even filled the ditch.
36 Panguva yechibayiro, muprofita Eria akaenda pamberi akanamata akati, “Haiwa Jehovha, Mwari waAbhurahama, Isaka naIsraeri, ngazvizivikanwe nhasi kuti ndimi Mwari munyika yeIsraeri uye kuti ini ndiri muranda wenyu, uyewo kuti ndaita zvinhu zvose izvi sezvamakandirayira.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah went over to the altar and prayed: “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, demonstrate today that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that everything I have done has been at your command.
37 Haiwa Jehovha, ndipindurei, ndipindurei, kuitira kuti vanhu ava vazive kuti imi, Jehovha, ndimi Mwari, uye kuti muri kudzora mwoyo yavo zvakare.”
Answer me, Lord! Answer me, so that these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are bringing them back to you.”
38 Ipapo moto waJehovha wakaburuka ukapisa chibayiro, nehuni namabwe nevhu, ukananzva mvura yose yaiva mumugero.
Then the fire of the Lord came down and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil—it even licked up the water in the ditch!
39 Vanhu vose pavakaona izvi, vakawira pasi nezviso zvavo, vakadanidzira vachiti, “Jehovha ndiye Mwari! Jehovha ndiye Mwari!”
When all the people saw this, they fell face down on the ground and shouted, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”
40 Ipapo Eria akavarayira akati, “Batai vaprofita vaBhaari. Musarega kana mumwe chete achipunyuka!” Vakavabata, uye Eria akaita kuti vaendeswe zasi kuMupata weKishoni vakandourayirwako.
Then Elijah ordered them, “Grab hold of the prophets of Baal. Don't let any escape!” They grabbed them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there.
41 Uye Eria akati kuna Ahabhu, “Chienda undodya uye unwe, nokuti kune kutinhira kwemvura zhinji.”
Elijah told Ahab, “Go and eat and drink, for I hear the sound of a heavy rain coming.”
42 Saka Ahabhu akaenda kundodya nokunwa, asi Eria akakwira pamusoro pegomo reKarimeri, akakotamira pasi akaisa chiso chake pakati pamabvi ake.
So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went to the top of Carmel. There he bent down to the ground, putting his face between his knees.
43 Akaudza muranda wake kuti, “Enda undotarisa kwakadziva kugungwa.” Akakwira akandotarisa. Akati, “Hakuna chiriko uku.” Eria akati, “Dzokerazve,” kanomwe.
“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. The man went and looked. “There's nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah told him, “Go and look again.”
44 Kechinomwe muranda akati, “Gore duku rakaenzana nechanza chomunhu riri kukwira richibva mugungwa.” Saka Eria akati, “Enda undoudza Ahabhu kuti, ‘Sunga ngoro yako uburuke usati wadzivirirwa nemvura.’”
The seventh time the servant came back and said, “I saw a small cloud the size of a man's hand coming up from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Run to Ahab and tell him, ‘Get your chariot ready and go down before the rain stops you.’”
45 Panguva imwe cheteyo denga rakasviba namakore, mhepo ikavhuvhuta, mvura zhinji ikauya, Ahabhu akaenda nengoro kuJezireeri.
Very quickly the sky grew dark with clouds, the wind blew, heavy rain started falling, and Ahab rode down to Jezreel.
46 Simba raJehovha rakauya pana Eria, akasunga jasi rake nebhanhire, akamhanya pamberi paAhabhu nzira yose kusvika kuJezireeri.
The Lord gave his power to Elijah—he tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
