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.”
And it came to pass, after many days, that, the word of Yahweh, came unto Elijah, in the third year, saying, —Go, shew thyself unto Ahab, that I may send rain upon the face of the ground.
2 Saka Eria akaenda kundozviratidza kuna Ahabhu. Zvino nzara yakanga yanyanya kwazvo muSamaria,
And Elijah went, to show himself unto Ahab. Now, the famine, was severe in Samaria.
3 uye Ahabhu akanga adana Obhadhia uyo akanga ari mutariri womuzinda wake. (Obhadhia akanga achitenda kuna Jehovha zvikuru kwazvo.
And Ahab had called for Obadiah, who was over his house. Now, Obadiah, was one who revered Yahweh, exceedingly.
4 Jezebheri paakanga achiuraya vaprofita vaJehovha, Obhadhia akanga atora vaprofita zana akavaviga mumapako maviri, makumi mashanu mune rimwe nerimwe. Uye akavapa kudya nemvura.)
And so it came to pass, when Jezebel was cutting off the prophets of Yahweh, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifties in caves, and sustained them, with bread 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.”
So then Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go, and let us pass throughout the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the ravines, peradventure we may find grass, and save alive horse and mule, and not have more of the beasts cut off.
6 Saka vakagovana nzvimbo dzavaizoenda, Ahabhu achienda kune rimwe divi, Obhadhia kune rimwewo divi.
So they divided to them the land, to pass through it, —Ahab, went one way, by himself, and, Obadiah, went another way, by himself.
7 Obhadhia akati achifamba, Eria akasangana naye. Obhadhia akamuziva akakotamira pasi, akati, “Chaizvoizvo chokwadi, ndimi here ishe wangu Eria?”
And so it was, as Obadiah was on the road, that lo! Elijah, met him, —and he recognised him, and fell upon his face, and said—Now art, thou, my lord Elijah?
8 Akapindura akati, “Hongu. Enda undoudza ishe wako kuti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’”
And he said to him—I, am! Go, say to thy lord: Here, is, Elijah!
9 Obhadhia akabvunza akati, “Ndatadzeiko zvamava kuendesa muranda wenyu kuna Ahabhu kuti andourayiwa?
And he said—How have I sinned, —that, thou, art delivering thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to put me to death?
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.
By the life of Yahweh thy God, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee, and, when they have said—Nay! he hath taken an oath of the kingdom or the nation, that no one could find thee;
11 Asi zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’
and, now, thou, art saying, —Go say to thy lord, Here, is, Elijah;
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.
so shall it come to pass, as soon as, I, go from thee, that, the spirit of Yahweh, shall carry thee away—whither I know not, and so, when I go in to tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, then will he slay me, —and yet, thy servant, hath revered Yahweh, from my youth.
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.
Was it not told my lord, what I did when Jezebel was slaying the prophets of Yahweh, —how I hid, of the prophets of Yahweh, a hundred men—by fifties—in caves, and sustained them with bread and water?
14 Zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’ Anondiuraya!”
and yet, now, thou, art saying, Go, tell thy lord—Here, is, Elijah; and so he will slay me!
15 Eria akati, “NaJehovha Wamasimba Ose mupenyu, wandinoshandira, zvirokwazvo ndichazvipira kuna Ahabhu nhasi.”
Then said Elijah—By the life of Yahweh of hosts, before whom I stand, to-day, will I show myself unto him.
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?”
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Now, art, thou, troubling Israel?
18 Eria akapindura akati, “Handina kuuyisa dambudziko kuIsraeri, asi imi nemhuri yenyu ndimi makadaro. Makasiya mirayiro yaJehovha mukatevera Bhaari.
And he said—I have not troubled Israel, but, thou and the house of thy father, —in that ye have forsaken the commandments of Yahweh, and followed Baal.
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, therefore, send, gather unto me all Israel, unto Mount Carmel, —and the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Sacred Stem, four hundred, who do eat at the table of Jezebel.
20 Saka Ahabhu akatuma shoko muIsraeri yose akaunganidza vaprofita paGomo reKarimeri.
So Ahab sent among all the sons of Israel, —and gathered the prophets unto 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.
And Elijah drew near unto all the people, and said—How long are ye limping on the two divided opinions? If, Yahweh, be GOD, follow, him, but, if, Baal, follow, him. But the people answered him, not a word.
22 Zvino Eria akati kwavari, “Ini chete pavaprofita vaJehovha ndini ndasara, asi Bhaari ane vaprofita mazana mana namakumi mashanu.
Then said Elijah unto the people—I, am left, Yahweh’s, only, prophet, —but, the prophets of Baal, are four hundred and fifty men.
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.
Let there be given us, therefore, two bullocks, and let them choose for themselves one bullock, and cut it in pieces, and lay it upon the wood, but, fire, shall they not put, —then, I, will make ready the other bullock, and place upon the wood, but, fire, will I not put.
24 Ipapo mudane kuzita ramwari wenyu, uye ini ndichadana kuzita raJehovha. Mwari achapindura nomoto ndiye Mwari.” Ipapo vanhu vose vakati, “Zvawataura zvakanaka.”
Then shall ye call on the name of your god, and, I, will call on the name of Yahweh, and it shall be, the God that respondeth by fire, he, is GOD. And all the people responded—Well spoken!
25 Eria akati kuvaprofita vaBhaari, “Sarudzai imwe yehando idzi mugotanga imi kuigadzira, sezvo makawanda. Danai kuzita ramwari wenyu, asi musatungidza moto.”
Then said Elijah to the prophets of Baal—Choose for yourselves one bullock, and make ye ready, first, for, ye, are many, —and call ye on the name of your god, but, fire, shall ye not put.
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 bullock which was given them, and made ready, and called on the name of Baal—from the morning even until the noon, saying—O Baal! answer us. But them was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about by the altar which had been 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.”
And it came to pass, at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said—Cry with a loud voice, for, a god, he is, either he hath, a meditation, or an occasion to retire, or he hath, a journey, —peradventure, he, sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 Saka vakatonyanyisa kudanidzira, vakazvicheka-cheka neminondo namapfumo, setsika yavo, kusvikira ropa ravo raerera.
And they cried, with a loud voice, and cut themselves, after their custom, with swords, and with lances, —until the blood gushed out upon them.
29 Masikati akapfuura, ivo vakaramba vachiprofita zveshungu kusvikira nguva yechibayiro chamanheru. Asi hapana chakaitika, hapana akapindura, hapana akaratidza hanya.
And so it was, when noon was passed, that although they prophesied until the offering up of the evening gift, yet was there no voice nor any that answered, nor any that hearkened.
30 Ipapo Eria akati kuvanhu vose, “Uyai kuno kwandiri.” Vakauya kwaari, iye akagadzira aritari yaJehovha yakanga yaputswa.
Then said Elijah unto all the people: Draw near unto, me. And all the people drew near unto, him. Then repaired he the broken-down altar of Yahweh; yea Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, —
31 Eria akatora mabwe gumi namaviri, rimwe chete rakamirira rudzi rumwe chete rwavanakomana vaJakobho, uyo akanga audzwa naJehovha kuti, “Zita rako richava Israeri.”
unto whom the word of Yahweh came, saying—Israel, shall be thy name;
32 Akashandisa mabwe aya kuvaka aritari muzita raJehovha, uye akachera mugero waipoteredza aritari wakanga wakakura zvokuti waikwana maseya maviri embeu.
and built, with the stones, an altar, in the name of Yahweh, —and he made a trench, as large as would contain two measures of seed, round about the altar;
33 Akaronga huni, akacheka hando kuita zvidimbu zvidimbu, akaiisa pamusoro pehuni. Ipapo akati kwavari, “Zadzai zvirongo zvikuru zvina nemvura mugoidira pamusoro pechipiriso napamusoro pehuni.”
and he put in order the wood, —and cut in pieces the bullock, and laid upon the wood. Then said he—Fill four pitchers with water, and pour out upon the ascending-sacrifice, and upon the wood. And they did so.
34 Akati, “Pamhidzai zvakare,” ivo vakapamhazve. Akatizve, “Pamhidzai kechitatu.”
And he said—Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said—Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 Mvura yakaerera ichipoteredza aritari ikazadzawo nomugero.
And the water ran round about the altar, —moreover also, the trench, filled he with water.
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.
And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the gift, that Elijah the prophet drew near, and said, O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel! To-day, let it be known—That, thou, art God in Israel, and that, I, am thy servant, —and that, by thy word, have I done all these things.
37 Haiwa Jehovha, ndipindurei, ndipindurei, kuitira kuti vanhu ava vazive kuti imi, Jehovha, ndimi Mwari, uye kuti muri kudzora mwoyo yavo zvakare.”
Answer me, O Yahweh! answer me, That this people may know, that, thou—Yahweh, art GOD, —so shalt, thou thyself, have turned their heart back again.
38 Ipapo moto waJehovha wakaburuka ukapisa chibayiro, nehuni namabwe nevhu, ukananzva mvura yose yaiva mumugero.
Then fell fire from Yahweh, and consumed the ascending-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, —even the water that was in the trench, it licked up.
39 Vanhu vose pavakaona izvi, vakawira pasi nezviso zvavo, vakadanidzira vachiti, “Jehovha ndiye Mwari! Jehovha ndiye Mwari!”
And, when all the people saw it, they fell upon their faces, —and said, Yahweh, he, is GOD, Yahweh, 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.
And Elijah said unto them—Seize ye the prophets of Baal—let not, a man, of them escape. So they seized them. And Elijah took them down unto the ravine of Kishon, and slaughtered them there.
41 Uye Eria akati kuna Ahabhu, “Chienda undodya uye unwe, nokuti kune kutinhira kwemvura zhinji.”
Then said Elijah unto Ahab, Go up, eat and drink, —for there is a sound of a downpour of rain.
42 Saka Ahabhu akaenda kundodya nokunwa, asi Eria akakwira pamusoro pegomo reKarimeri, akakotamira pasi akaisa chiso chake pakati pamabvi ake.
So Ahab went up, to eat and to drink, —but, Elijah, went up to the top of Carmel, and bowed himself to the earth, and put his face between his knees.
43 Akaudza muranda wake kuti, “Enda undotarisa kwakadziva kugungwa.” Akakwira akandotarisa. Akati, “Hakuna chiriko uku.” Eria akati, “Dzokerazve,” kanomwe.
Then said he unto his young man—Go up, I pray thee, and look about in the direction of the sea. So he went up, and looked about, and said—There is, nothing whatever. Then said he—Go again, seven times.
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.’”
And it came to pass, at the seventh time, that he said, Lo! a little cloud, like a man’s hand coming up from the sea. Then he said—Go up, say unto Ahab—Harness, and get thee down, lest the rain shut thee in.
45 Panguva imwe cheteyo denga rakasviba namakore, mhepo ikavhuvhuta, mvura zhinji ikauya, Ahabhu akaenda nengoro kuJezireeri.
And it came to pass, meanwhile, that, the heavens, had enshrouded themselves with clouds and wind, and there came a great rain, and Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel;
46 Simba raJehovha rakauya pana Eria, akasunga jasi rake nebhanhire, akamhanya pamberi paAhabhu nzira yose kusvika kuJezireeri.
but, the hand of Yahweh, came upon Elijah, so he girded his loins, —and ran before Ahab, until thou enterest Jezreel.
