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.”
So after many days the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land.”
2 Saka Eria akaenda kundozviratidza kuna Ahabhu. Zvino nzara yakanga yanyanya kwazvo muSamaria,
Elijah went to show himself to 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.
Ahab called Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Now Obadiah honored Yahweh very much,
4 Jezebheri paakanga achiuraya vaprofita vaJehovha, Obhadhia akanga atora vaprofita zana akavaviga mumapako maviri, makumi mashanu mune rimwe nerimwe. Uye akavapa kudya nemvura.)
for when Jezebel was killing the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed 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.”
Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the water springs and brooks. Perhaps we will find grass and save the horses and mules alive, so that we will not lose all the animals.”
6 Saka vakagovana nzvimbo dzavaizoenda, Ahabhu achienda kune rimwe divi, Obhadhia kune rimwewo divi.
So they divided the land between them to pass through it and look for water. Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way.
7 Obhadhia akati achifamba, Eria akasangana naye. Obhadhia akamuziva akakotamira pasi, akati, “Chaizvoizvo chokwadi, ndimi here ishe wangu Eria?”
As Obadiah was on the road, Elijah unexpectedly met him. Obadiah recognized him and lay facedown on the ground. He said, “Is it you, my master Elijah?”
8 Akapindura akati, “Hongu. Enda undoudza ishe wako kuti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’”
Elijah answered him, “It is I. Go tell your master, 'Look, Elijah is here.'”
9 Obhadhia akabvunza akati, “Ndatadzeiko zvamava kuendesa muranda wenyu kuna Ahabhu kuti andourayiwa?
Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, for him to 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.
As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent men to find you. Whenever a nation or kingdom says, 'Elijah is not here,' Ahab makes them take an oath swearing that they could not find you.
11 Asi zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’
Yet now you say, 'Go, 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.
As soon as I am gone from you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you some place I do not know. Then when I go and tell Ahab, and when he cannot find you, he will kill me. Yet I, your servant, have worshiped 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.
Has it not been told to you, my master, what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid one hundred of Yahweh's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water?
14 Zvino mava kundiudza kuti ndiende kuna ishe wangu ndinoti, ‘Eria ari kuno.’ Anondiuraya!”
Now you say to me, 'Go and tell your master that Elijah is here,' so that he will kill me.”
15 Eria akati, “NaJehovha Wamasimba Ose mupenyu, wandinoshandira, zvirokwazvo ndichazvipira kuna Ahabhu nhasi.”
Then Elijah responded, “As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to Ahab today.”
16 Saka Obhadhia akaenda kundosangana naAhabhu akamuudza, uye Ahabhu akaenda kundosangana naEria.
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him what Elijah said. Then the king went to meet Elijah.
17 Paakaona Eria, akati kwaari, “Ndiwe here, iwe mutambudzi weIsraeri?”
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is it you? You are the one who brings trouble to Israel!”
18 Eria akapindura akati, “Handina kuuyisa dambudziko kuIsraeri, asi imi nemhuri yenyu ndimi makadaro. Makasiya mirayiro yaJehovha mukatevera Bhaari.
Elijah answered, “I have not brought trouble to Israel, but you and your father's family are the ones who have caused trouble by abandoning the commandments of Yahweh and by following 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 then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.”
20 Saka Ahabhu akatuma shoko muIsraeri yose akaunganidza vaprofita paGomo reKarimeri.
So Ahab sent word to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at 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 came near to all the people and said, “How long will you keep changing your mind? If Yahweh is God, follow him. But if Baal is God, then follow him.” Yet the people did not answer him a word.
22 Zvino Eria akati kwavari, “Ini chete pavaprofita vaJehovha ndini ndasara, asi Bhaari ane vaprofita mazana mana namakumi mashanu.
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, I alone, am left as a prophet of Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are 450 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.
So let them give us two bulls. Let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under 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 will call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh, and the God who answers by fire, then let him be God.” So all the people answered and said, “This is good.”
25 Eria akati kuvaprofita vaBhaari, “Sarudzai imwe yehando idzi mugotanga imi kuigadzira, sezvo makawanda. Danai kuzita ramwari wenyu, asi musatungidza moto.”
So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many people. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the bull.”
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.
They took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, hear us.” But there was no voice, nor anyone who answered. They danced 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 mocked them and said, “Shout out loudly! He is a god! Perhaps he is thinking, or is relieving himself, or he is traveling on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.”
28 Saka vakatonyanyisa kudanidzira, vakazvicheka-cheka neminondo namapfumo, setsika yavo, kusvikira ropa ravo raerera.
So they shouted more loudly, and they cut themselves, as they usually did, with swords and spears, until their blood flowed out over themselves.
29 Masikati akapfuura, ivo vakaramba vachiprofita zveshungu kusvikira nguva yechibayiro chamanheru. Asi hapana chakaitika, hapana akapindura, hapana akaratidza hanya.
Midday passed, and they were still raving until the time of offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no voice or anyone to answer; there was no one who paid any attention to their pleadings.
30 Ipapo Eria akati kuvanhu vose, “Uyai kuno kwandiri.” Vakauya kwaari, iye akagadzira aritari yaJehovha yakanga yaputswa.
Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me,” and all the people came near to him. Then he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was lying in ruin.
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, each stone representing one of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—it was Jacob to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, “Israel will 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 name of Yahweh and he dug a trench around the altar large enough to contain two seahs of seeds.
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 arranged the wood for a fire, cut the bull in pieces, and laid the pieces of the bull on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
34 Akati, “Pamhidzai zvakare,” ivo vakapamhazve. Akatizve, “Pamhidzai kechitatu.”
Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time. Once more he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.
35 Mvura yakaerera ichipoteredza aritari ikazadzawo nomugero.
The water ran around the altar and filled the trench.
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.
It happened at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
37 Haiwa Jehovha, ndipindurei, ndipindurei, kuitira kuti vanhu ava vazive kuti imi, Jehovha, ndimi Mwari, uye kuti muri kudzora mwoyo yavo zvakare.”
Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that these people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again to yourself.”
38 Ipapo moto waJehovha wakaburuka ukapisa chibayiro, nehuni namabwe nevhu, ukananzva mvura yose yaiva mumugero.
Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering, as well as the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 Vanhu vose pavakaona izvi, vakawira pasi nezviso zvavo, vakadanidzira vachiti, “Jehovha ndiye Mwari! Jehovha ndiye Mwari!”
When all the people saw this, they lay facedown on the ground 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.
So Elijah said to them, “Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape.” So they took them, and Elijah brought the prophets of Baal down to the Kishon River and killed them there.
41 Uye Eria akati kuna Ahabhu, “Chienda undodya uye unwe, nokuti kune kutinhira kwemvura zhinji.”
Elijah said to Ahab, “Get up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of much 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. Then Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, bowed himself down on 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.
He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” His servant went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” So Elijah said, “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.’”
At the seventh time the servant said, “Look, there is a cloud going up from the sea, as small as a man's hand.” Elijah replied, “Go up and say to Ahab, 'Make ready your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'”
45 Panguva imwe cheteyo denga rakasviba namakore, mhepo ikavhuvhuta, mvura zhinji ikauya, Ahabhu akaenda nengoro kuJezireeri.
It happened that in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 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 was on Elijah. He tucked his robe in his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
