Ezekieri 20
1 Mugore rechinomwe, nomwedzi wechishanu pazuva regumi, vamwe vavakuru vavaIsraeri vakauya kuzobvunza Jehovha, vakagara pasi pamberi pangu.
Almost seven years [King Jehoiachin and the rest of us had been captured and taken to Babylonia], on the tenth day of the fifth [of that year], some Israeli elders came to me to [if I had a message for them] from Yahweh.
2 Ipapo shoko raJehovha rakasvika kwandiri richiti,
Then Yahweh gave me a message. [He said, ]
3 “Mwanakomana womunhu, taura kuvakuru veIsraeri uti kwavari, ‘Zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Mauya kuzondibvunza ini here? Zvirokwazvo noupenyu hwangu, handisi kuzobvuma kuti mundibvunze imi, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha.’
“You human, speak to the Israeli elders and say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh the Lord says: [say that] you have come to ask if there is any message from me [RHQ], but [as surely] as I am alive, I will [answer you if] you ask [to tell you] anything.’
4 “Ungavatonga here? Ungavatonga here, iwe mwanakomana womunhu? Zvino chivazivisa mabasa anonyangadza amadzibaba avo,
If you are [RHQ] willing to warn them, remind them of the detestable things that their ancestors did.
5 uti kwavari, ‘Zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Pazuva randakasarudza Israeri, ndakapika ndakasimudzira ruoko kuzvizvarwa zveimba yaJakobho ndikazviratidza kwavari muIjipiti. Ndakasimudza ruoko rwangu, ndikati kwavari, “Ndini Jehovha Mwari wenyu.”
Then say to them, ‘On the day that I chose [you] Israeli [to belong to me], with my hand lifted up, I made a solemn promise to your [while they were still] in Egypt. I said to them, “I am Yahweh, your God.
6 Pazuva iro ndakapika kwavari kuti ndichavabudisa kubva munyika yeIjipiti ndigovapinza munyika yandakavatsvakira, nyika inoyerera mukaka nouchi, nyika yakanakisisa panyika dzose.
I will bring you out of Egypt and lead you to a land that I have chosen for you. It is a very fertile [IDM] and (very beautiful/more beautiful than any other) land.
7 Uye ndakati kwavari, “Mumwe nomumwe wenyu ngaarase zviumbwa zvenyu zvinonyangadza zvamakaringira kwazviri, uye murege kuzvisvibisa nezvifananidzo zveIjipiti. Ndini Jehovha Mwari wenyu.”
Each of you must get rid of the disgusting idols that you loved [IDM], and do not defile yourselves [worshiping] those [that you saw] in Egypt. I, Yahweh your God, [am saying this to you].”’
8 “‘Asi vakandimukira vakasada kunditeerera; havana kuda kurasa zvifananidzo zvavairingira kwazviri nameso avo, kana kusiya zvifananidzo zveIjipiti. Saka ndakati ndichadurura hasha dzangu pamusoro pavo ndigopedzera kutsamwa kwangu pamusoro pavo muIjipiti.
But they rebelled against me. They would not pay attention to me. They did not get rid of the disgusting idols they loved, and they did not reject those [that they saw] in Egypt. So because I was angry with them, I said that I would punish [MTY] them in Egypt.
9 Asi nokuda kwezita rangu, ndakaita zvaichengetedza zita rangu kuti rirege kusvibiswa pamberi pendudzi idzo dzamaigara pakati padzo uye avo vandakanga ndazviratidza pamberi pavo kuvaIsraeri nokuvabudisa kubva muIjipiti.
But for the sake of my own reputation, I decided to do something in order that I would not be dishonored by the people of the nations who would see it when I brought my people out of Egypt.
10 Naizvozvo ndakavabudisa kubva muIjipiti ndikaenda navo kugwenga.
Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the desert.
11 Ndakavapa mitemo yangu ndikavazivisa mirayiro yangu, nokuti munhu achaiteerera achararama nayo.
I gave them [all] my laws and decrees [DOU], in order that they would obey them, and as a result they would live [for a long time].
12 Uyezve ndakavapa maSabata angu sechiratidzo pakati pedu, kuti vagoziva kuti ini Jehovha ndini ndakavaita vatsvene.
Also, I established the Sabbath/rest days to be a symbol between us to show that I, Yahweh, had caused them to be set [from the other nations].
13 “‘Asi vanhu veIsraeri vakandimukira mugwenga. Havana kutevera mitemo yangu asi vakaramba mirayiro yangu, kunyange zvazvo munhu anoiteerera achizorarama nayo, uye vakazvidza chose maSabata angu. Saka ndakati kwavari ndichadurura hasha dzangu pamusoro pavo ndigovaparadza mugwenga.
But the Israeli people rebelled against me in the desert. They did not obey my commands [DOU]; they rejected them, even though they tell people who obey them that they will live [for a long time], and they profaned the Sabbath days. So I said that I would get rid of them in the desert, and that would show that I was very angry with them.
14 Asi nokuda kwezita rangu ndakaita zvaichengetedza zita rangu kuti rirege kusvibiswa pamberi pendudzi idzo dzandakavabudisa kubva madziri pamberi padzo.
But [again], for the sake of my own reputation, I decided to do something else in order that I would not be dishonored/despised by [the people of] the nations who had seen me bring my people out of Egypt.
15 Uyezve ndakavapikira mugwenga noruoko rwakasimudzwa ndichiti handizovaisi munyika yandakavapa, nyika inoyerera mukaka nouchi, nyika yakanakisisa panyika dzose,
I lifted up my hand and solemnly declared to them in the desert that I would not take them into the land that [had promised to] give them, a land that was very fertile [IDM] and (very beautiful/more beautiful than any other) land.
16 nokuti vakaramba mirayiro yangu uye havana kutevera mitemo yangu, vakasvibisa maSabata angu. Nokuti mwoyo yavo yakanga yakazvipira kuzvifananidzo zvavo.
The reason that I promised that was because they rejected and disobeyed all my laws [DOU] and (desecrated/refused to rest on) the Sabbath days. [They did that] because they [SYN] were devoted [worshiping] their idols.
17 Kunyange zvakadaro hazvo, ndakavatarisa ndikavanzwira tsitsi ndikasavaparadza kana kuvapedza chose mugwenga.
But, I still pitied them and did not get rid of [all of] them in the desert.
18 Ndakati kuvana vavo mugwenga, “Regai kutevera mitemo yamadzibaba enyu kana kuchengeta mirayiro yavo kana kuzvisvibisa nezvifananidzo zvavo.
I said to their children, ‘Do not do the things that your parents continually did, or defile yourselves [worshiping] their idols.
19 Ndini Jehovha Mwari wenyu; teverai mitemo yangu uye muchenjerere kuchengeta mirayiro yangu.
I am Yahweh your God. Carefully obey [DOU] my laws and commands.
20 Chengetai maSabata angu ave matsvene, kuti ave chiratidzo pakati pedu. Ipapo muchaziva kuti ndini Jehovha Mwari wenyu.”
Respect my Sabbath days, in order that by doing that [PRS], it will remind you that you belong to me, Yahweh your God.’
21 “‘Asi vana vakandimukira: havana kutevera mitemo yangu, vakanga vasina kuchenjerera kuchengeta mirayiro yangu, kunyange zvazvo munhu anoiteerera achizorarama nayo, uye vakasvibisa maSabata angu. Saka ndakati ndichadurura hasha dzangu pamusoro pavo uye ndigopedzera kutsamwa kwangu pamusoro pavo mugwenga.
But their children [also] rebelled against me. They did not carefully obey my laws [DOU], [even though] the people who obey them will live [for a long time]; and they profaned the Sabbath days. So again I said that by getting rid of them in the desert, I would show that I was very angry with them.
22 Asi ndakadzora ruoko rwangu, uye nokuda kwezita rangu ndakaita zvairichengetedza kuti rirege kusvibiswa pamberi pendudzi dzandakavabudisa pamberi padzo.
But I did not do that [IDM]. [Again, ] for the sake of my own reputation, I [decided to] do something in order that I would not be dishonored/despised by [the people of] the nations who had seen it when I brought my people out [of Egypt].
23 Uyezve, ndakasimudza ruoko, ndikapika mugwenga kuti ndichavaparadzira pakati pendudzi uye ndigovadzingira kune dzimwe nyika,
I lifted up my hand and solemnly declared to them in the desert that I would cause them to be scattered among [many] nations [DOU],
24 nokuti vakanga vasina kuteerera mirayiro yangu asi vakanga varamba mitemo yangu uye vakasvibisa maSabata angu, uye meso avo akachiva zvifananidzo zvamadzibaba avo.
because they had rejected and disobeyed all my laws [DOU] and desecrated the Sabbath days, and they had eagerly [to worship] the idols that their [had worshiped].
25 Ndakavapawo mitemo yakanga isina kunaka uye nemirayiro yavakanga vasingagoni kurarama nayo,
I also allowed them to obey laws that were not good, and laws that would not enable them to live [a long time if they obeyed them].
26 ndakaita kuti vasvibiswe nezvipo zvavo, zvibayiro zvamatangwe ose, kuti ndivazadze nokutya kukuru kuti vagoziva kuti ndini Jehovha.’
I allowed them to become unacceptable to me by their sacrificing their firstborn children in the fire. I did that in order that they would be horrified, and in order that they would know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].
27 “Naizvozvo, mwanakomana womunhu, taura kuvanhu veIsraeri uti kwavari, ‘Zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Muna izvozviwo madzibaba enyu akandimhura nokundisiya:
Therefore, you human, speak to the Israeli people. Say this to them, ‘This is what Yahweh the Lord says [to you]: This is one way that your ancestors dishonored me by turning away from me.
28 Pandakavauyisa munyika yandakanga ndapika kuti ndichavapa uye vakaona chikomo chipi zvacho chakakwirira kana muti upi zvawo una mashizha, vakabayira zvibayiro zvavo ipapo, vakapa zvipiriso zvakanditsamwisa, vachipa zvinonhuhwira zvavo uye vakadurura zvipiriso zvavo zvinonwiwa ipapo.
After I brought them into the land that I had solemnly promised to give to them, every time that they saw a high hill or a [big] green tree, they offered [to idols] there. They made offerings to them, and that caused me to become angry. They presented to those idols their fragrant burning incense, and poured out wine offerings to them.
29 Ipapo ndakati kwavari: Ko, nzvimbo iyi yakakwirira yamunoenda kwairi ndeyei?’” (Zita rayo inonzi Bhama kusvikira zuva ranhasi.)
[Then] I asked them, “Who [RHQ] [told you to worship at] a shrine like this, here on this hilltop?” So they are still called “hilltop shrines”.’
30 “Naizvozvo uti kuimba yaIsraeri, ‘Zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Muchazvisvibisa sezvakaita madzibaba enyu here nokuchiva zvifananidzo zvavo zvinonyangadza?
Therefore, say this to the Israeli people [MTY]: 'This is what Yahweh the Lord says: “You are going to [RHQ] defile yourselves like your ancestors did by strongly [to worship] their disgusting [statues of idols].
31 Pamunopa zvipo zvenyu, zvibayiro zvavanakomana venyu mumoto, munoramba muchizvisvibisa nezvifananidzo zvenyu kusvikira nhasi. Ini ndingatenda kubvunzwa nemi here imi imba yaIsraeri? Zvirokwazvo noupenyu hwangu, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha, handizombokutenderei kuti mundibvunze.
When you sacrifice your children in the fire, you are still continuing to make yourselves unacceptable to me [worshiping] your many idols. You Israeli people, should I allow you to [what I want you to do]? I, Yahweh the Lord, say that [as surely] as I am alive, [I will not answer] if you inquire.'
32 “‘Imi munoti, “Tinoda kufanana nendudzi, savanhu vedzimwe nyika, vanoshumira matanda namatombo.” Asi zviri mundangariro dzenyu hazvimboitiki.
You say, ‘We want to be like the [other] nations, like the [other] people-groups in the world. We want to [idols made of] wood and [like they do].’ But what you want will never happen.
33 Zvirokwazvo noupenyu hwangu, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha, ndichakutongai nechanza chine simba, noruoko rwakatambanudzwa uye nehasha dzakadururwa.
[I], Yahweh your Lord, say that [as surely] as I am alive, I will use my great power [DOU, MTY] to rule over you, and show that I am angry with you.
34 Ndichakudzosai kubva kundudzi ndigokuunganidzai kubva kunyika dzamakanga makaparadzirwa kwadziri, nechanza chine simba uye noruoko rwakatambanudzwa uye nehasha dzakadururwa.
With my great power I will gather you from the places to which you have been scattered,
35 Ndichakuyisai kurenje rendudzi ndigokutongai ikoko takatarisana chiso nechiso.
and I will bring you to a [that is surrounded] by [other] nations. There, while I am looking at you, I will judge you.
36 Sokutonga kwandakaita madzibaba enyu mugwenga renyika yeIjipiti, saizvozvo ndichakutongai imi, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha.
I will punish you, like I punished your ancestors in the desert near Egypt.
37 Ndichakuverengai pamunopfuura napasi petsvimbo yangu, uye ndichakuisai muchisungo chesungano.
I will count you [MTY] as you walk by, and I will force you to obey the agreement that I made with you.
38 Ndichakubvisa pakati penyu vaya vanondipandukira navaya vanondimukira. Kunyange hazvo ndichizovabudisa munyika yavagere, asi havangapindi munyika yeIsraeri. Ipapo muchaziva kuti ndini Jehovha.
I will get rid of those people among you who rebel [DOU] against me. Although I will bring them out [Babylonia], where they are now living, they will not enter Israel. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].
39 “‘Asi kana murimi, iyemi imba yaIsraeri, zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Endai mundoshumira zvifananidzo zvenyu, mumwe nomumwe wenyu! Asi shure kwaizvozvo zvirokwazvo muchanditeerera uye hamungazosvibisizve zita rangu dzvene nezvipo zvenyu nezvifananidzo zvenyu.
As for you Israeli people [MTY], this is what [I], Yahweh the Lord, say: 'Go and worship your idols now [IRO], each of you. But [afterwards], you will [surely] heed me and no longer dishonor me [MTY] by taking gifts to your idols.
40 Nokuti pagomo rangu dzvene, iro gomo refu raIsraeri, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha, munyika imomo imba yose yaIsraeri ichashumira ipapo, uye ndichavagamuchira ipapo. Ndipo pandichada zvipiriso zvenyu nezvipo zvenyu zvokuzvisarudzira pamwe chete nezvibayiro zvenyu zvitsvene.
[I], Yahweh your Lord, declare that there on my sacred hill, [Zion], that high hill in Israel, you will bring gifts to me, and I will accept them. I will require you to bring to me gifts and offerings there, and your sacrifices that are dedicated to me.
41 Ndichakugamuchirai somunhuwi unonhuhwira pandichakubudisai kubva kundudzi nokukuunganidzai muchibva kunyika dzamakanga makaparadzirwa kwadziri uye ndichazviratidza kuti ndiri mutsvene kwamuri pamberi pendudzi.
When I bring you out from the [other] nations [DOU] to which you have been scattered, I will accept [as though you were] fragrant incense. By doing that, I will show the people of other nations that I have set you apart to belong to me.
42 Ipapo muchaziva kuti ndini Jehovha, kana ndakuisai munyika yeIsraeri, nyika yandakapikira kupa madzibaba enyu noruoko rwakasimudzwa.
Then, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I solemnly promised with my hand lifted up that I would give to your ancestors, you will know that I, Yahweh, [have done it].
43 Mucharangarira mafambiro enyu ikoko nezviito zvose zvamakazvisvibisa nazvo uye muchazvisema pachenyu nokuda kwezvakaipa zvose zvamakaita.
And [in Israel] you will remember how you conducted your lives [previously, you will remember] the actions that caused you to become unacceptable to me, and you will hate/despise yourselves for all the evil things that you have done.
44 Muchaziva kuti ndini Jehovha, pandichakuitirai izvozvo nokuda kwezita rangu kwete nokuda kwenzira dzenyu dzakaipa nezvakaora zvamakaita imi imba yaIsraeri, ndizvo zvinotaura Ishe Jehovha.’”
When I act toward you Israeli people to protect my reputation, and not [just] because of your evil deeds and corrupt behavior, you Israeli people will know that I, Yahweh, [have the power to do what I say that I will do].' That is what Yahweh the Lord declares.”
45 Shoko raJehovha rakasvika kwandiri richiti,
Yahweh gave me another message. He said,
46 “Mwanakomana womunhu, rinzira chiso chako kurutivi rwezasi; uparidze pamusoro porutivi rwezasi uye uprofite pamusoro pesango renyika yezasi.
“You human, turn toward the south. Preach about what will happen to that dry land, to the forest there.
47 Uti kusango rezasi, ‘Inzwa shoko raJehovha. Zvanzi naIshe Jehovha: Ndava pedyo nokukupisa nomoto, uye uchaparadza miti yako yose, zvose minyoro neyakaoma. Kuririma kwomurazvo hakungadzimwi, uye zviso zvose kubva kurutivi rwezasi kusvikira kurutivi rwokumusoro zvichapiswa nawo.
Say to the forest in the [part of Israel]: 'Listen to this message that Yahweh the Lord is saying [about you]: “I am about to start a fire in your midst, and it will burn up all your trees, [both] the green trees and the withered/dry trees. Nothing will extinguish the blazing flames. And the fire will scorch the faces of everyone [who lives] in that area, from the south to the north.
48 Mumwe nomumwe achaona kuti ini Jehovha ndini ndaubatidza; haungadzimwi.’”
Everyone will see that it is I, Yahweh, who have lit this fire, and no one will [be able to] put it out.” '”
49 Ipapo ndakati, “Haiwa, Ishe Jehovha! Vanoti pamusoro pangu, ‘Ko, haasi kungotaura mifananidzo here?’”
Then I said, “Yahweh, my Lord, [when I tell things like this to people, they do not believe me]. They say about me, ‘He is only telling parables.’”
