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.”
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 Saka Eria akaenda kundozviratidza kuna Ahabhu. Zvino nzara yakanga yanyanya kwazvo muSamaria,
So Elijah went to talk to Ahab. In Samaria there was almost no food for anyone to eat.
3 uye Ahabhu akanga adana Obhadhia uyo akanga ari mutariri womuzinda wake. (Obhadhia akanga achitenda kuna Jehovha zvikuru kwazvo.
There was a man there named Obadiah. He was in charge of the king’s palace. He greatly revered Yahweh.
4 Jezebheri paakanga achiuraya vaprofita vaJehovha, Obhadhia akanga atora vaprofita zana akavaviga mumapako maviri, makumi mashanu mune rimwe nerimwe. Uye akavapa kudya nemvura.)
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 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.”
[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 Saka vakagovana nzvimbo dzavaizoenda, Ahabhu achienda kune rimwe divi, Obhadhia kune rimwewo divi.
So they both started walking throughout the land. Obadiah went in one direction by himself, and Ahab went in another direction by himself.
7 Obhadhia akati achifamba, Eria akasangana naye. Obhadhia akamuziva akakotamira pasi, akati, “Chaizvoizvo chokwadi, ndimi here ishe wangu Eria?”
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 Akapindura akati, “Hongu. Enda undoudza ishe wako kuti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’”
Elijah replied, “Yes. Now go and tell [Ahab, ] your master, that I am here.”
9 Obhadhia akabvunza akati, “Ndatadzeiko zvamava kuendesa muranda wenyu kuna Ahabhu kuti andourayiwa?
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 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.
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 Asi zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’
Now you say to me, ‘Go and tell your master that 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.
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 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.
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 Zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’ Anondiuraya!”
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 Eria akati, “NaJehovha Wamasimba Ose mupenyu, wandinoshandira, zvirokwazvo ndichazvipira kuna Ahabhu nhasi.”
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 Saka Obhadhia akaenda kundosangana naAhabhu akamuudza, uye Ahabhu akaenda kundosangana naEria.
So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come. Ahab went to meet with him.
17 Paakaona Eria, akati kwaari, “Ndiwe here, iwe mutambudzi weIsraeri?”
When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, the one who causes trouble for [the people of] Israel?”
18 Eria akapindura akati, “Handina kuuyisa dambudziko kuIsraeri, asi imi nemhuri yenyu ndimi makadaro. Makasiya mirayiro yaJehovha mukatevera Bhaari.
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 Zvino danai vanhu muIsraeri yose kuti vazosangana neni paGomo reKarimeri. Muuyewo namazana mana namakumi mashanu avaprofita vaBhaari namazana mana avaprofita vaAshera vanodya patafura yaJezebheri.”
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 Saka Ahabhu akatuma shoko muIsraeri yose akaunganidza vaprofita paGomo reKarimeri.
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 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.
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 Zvino Eria akati kwavari, “Ini chete pavaprofita vaJehovha ndini ndasara, asi Bhaari ane vaprofita mazana mana namakumi mashanu.
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only true prophet of Yahweh who is left, but Baal has 450 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.
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 Ipapo mudane kuzita ramwari wenyu, uye ini ndichadana kuzita raJehovha. Mwari achapindura nomoto ndiye Mwari.” Ipapo vanhu vose vakati, “Zvawataura zvakanaka.”
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 Eria akati kuvaprofita vaBhaari, “Sarudzai imwe yehando idzi mugotanga imi kuigadzira, sezvo makawanda. Danai kuzita ramwari wenyu, asi musatungidza moto.”
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 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 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 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.”
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 Saka vakatonyanyisa kudanidzira, vakazvicheka-cheka neminondo namapfumo, setsika yavo, kusvikira ropa ravo raerera.
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 Masikati akapfuura, ivo vakaramba vachiprofita zveshungu kusvikira nguva yechibayiro chamanheru. Asi hapana chakaitika, hapana akapindura, hapana akaratidza hanya.
They continued calling out to Baal all afternoon. But there was no reply, no answer, no god who paid attention.
30 Ipapo Eria akati kuvanhu vose, “Uyai kuno kwandiri.” Vakauya kwaari, iye akagadzira aritari yaJehovha yakanga yaputswa.
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 Eria akatora mabwe gumi namaviri, rimwe chete rakamirira rudzi rumwe chete rwavanakomana vaJakobho, uyo akanga audzwa naJehovha kuti, “Zita rako richava Israeri.”
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 Akashandisa mabwe aya kuvaka aritari muzita raJehovha, uye akachera mugero waipoteredza aritari wakanga wakakura zvokuti waikwana maseya maviri embeu.
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 Akaronga huni, akacheka hando kuita zvidimbu zvidimbu, akaiisa pamusoro pehuni. Ipapo akati kwavari, “Zadzai zvirongo zvikuru zvina nemvura mugoidira pamusoro pechipiriso napamusoro pehuni.”
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 Akati, “Pamhidzai zvakare,” ivo vakapamhazve. Akatizve, “Pamhidzai kechitatu.”
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 Mvura yakaerera ichipoteredza aritari ikazadzawo nomugero.
As a result, the water flowed down below the altar and filled the ditches.
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.
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 Haiwa Jehovha, ndipindurei, ndipindurei, kuitira kuti vanhu ava vazive kuti imi, Jehovha, ndimi Mwari, uye kuti muri kudzora mwoyo yavo zvakare.”
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 Ipapo moto waJehovha wakaburuka ukapisa chibayiro, nehuni namabwe nevhu, ukananzva mvura yose yaiva mumugero.
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 Vanhu vose pavakaona izvi, vakawira pasi nezviso zvavo, vakadanidzira vachiti, “Jehovha ndiye Mwari! Jehovha ndiye Mwari!”
When the people saw that, they prostrated themselves on the ground and shouted, “Yahweh is God! Yahweh 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 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 Uye Eria akati kuna Ahabhu, “Chienda undodya uye unwe, nokuti kune kutinhira kwemvura zhinji.”
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 Saka Ahabhu akaenda kundodya nokunwa, asi Eria akakwira pamusoro pegomo reKarimeri, akakotamira pasi akaisa chiso chake pakati pamabvi ake.
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 Akaudza muranda wake kuti, “Enda undotarisa kwakadziva kugungwa.” Akakwira akandotarisa. Akati, “Hakuna chiriko uku.” Eria akati, “Dzokerazve,” kanomwe.
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 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.’”
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 Panguva imwe cheteyo denga rakasviba namakore, mhepo ikavhuvhuta, mvura zhinji ikauya, Ahabhu akaenda nengoro kuJezireeri.
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 Simba raJehovha rakauya pana Eria, akasunga jasi rake nebhanhire, akamhanya pamberi paAhabhu nzira yose kusvika kuJezireeri.
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.
