1 Wafalme 8

1 Kisha Mfalme Solomoni akawaita mbele zake huko Yerusalemu wazee wa Israeli, viongozi wote wa makabila na wakuu wa jamaa za Waisraeli, ili walilete Sanduku la Agano la Bwana kutoka Sayuni, Mji wa Daudi.

At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.

2 Wanaume wote wa Israeli wakakusanyika kwa Mfalme Solomoni wakati wa sikukuu ya mwezi wa Ethanimu, ndio mwezi wa saba.

And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim.

3 Wazee wote wa Israeli walipofika, makuhani wakajitwika Sanduku la Agano,

When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,

4 nao wakalipandisha Sanduku la Bwana, na Hema la Kukutania pamoja na vyombo vyote vitakatifu vilivyokuwa ndani yake. Makuhani na Walawi wakavibeba,

and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.

5 naye Mfalme Solomoni na kusanyiko lote la Israeli waliokusanyika kumzunguka walikuwa mbele ya hilo Sanduku, nao wakatoa dhabihu nyingi za kondoo na ngʼombe ambao idadi yao haikuwezekana kuandikwa au kuhesabiwa.

There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

6 Makuhani wakalileta Sanduku la Agano la Bwana hadi mahali pake ndani ya sehemu takatifu ndani ya Hekalu, yaani Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, na kuliweka chini ya mabawa ya makerubi.

Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.

7 Makerubi yalitandaza mabawa yao juu ya mahali pa Sanduku la Agano na kutia kivuli Sanduku pamoja na mipiko yake ya kubebea.

For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles.

8 Mipiko hiyo ilikuwa mirefu sana kiasi kwamba ncha zake zilionekana kutoka Mahali Patakatifu mbele ya Patakatifu pa Patakatifu, lakini sio nje ya Mahali Patakatifu. Hiyo mipiko ipo hata leo.

The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day.

9 Ndani ya Sanduku hapakuwepo kitu kingine chochote isipokuwa zile mbao mbili za mawe ambazo Mose alikuwa ameziweka ndani yake huko Horebu, mahali ambapo Bwana alifanya Agano na Waisraeli baada ya kutoka Misri.

There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

10 Makuhani walipoondoka katika Mahali Patakatifu, wingu likajaza Hekalu la Bwana.

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD

11 Nao makuhani hawakuweza kufanya huduma yao kwa sababu ya lile wingu, kwa kuwa utukufu wa Bwana ulijaza Hekalu lake.

so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

12 Ndipo Solomoni akasema, “Bwana alisema kwamba ataishi katika giza nene;

Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

13 naam, hakika nimekujengea Hekalu zuri sana, mahali pako pa kuishi milele.”

I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”

14 Kusanyiko lote la Israeli lilipokuwa limesimama hapo, mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki.

And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all

15 Kisha akasema: “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye kwa mkono wake mwenyewe ametimiza lile alilomwahidi Daudi baba yangu kwa kinywa chake mwenyewe. Kwa kuwa alisema,

and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,

16 ‘Tangu siku niliyowatoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji katika kabila lolote la Israeli ili Hekalu lijengwe humo ili Jina langu lipate kuwamo humo, bali nimemchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.’

‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

17 “Ilikuwa moyoni mwa Daudi baba yangu kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

18 Lakini Bwana akamwambia Daudi baba yangu, ‘Kwa sababu ilikuwa moyoni mwako kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu, ulifanya vyema kuwa na jambo hili moyoni mwako.

But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.

19 Hata hivyo, sio wewe utakayenijengea hekalu, bali mwanao, ambaye ni nyama yako na damu yako mwenyewe, yeye ndiye atakayejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu.’

Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

20 “Bwana ametimiza ahadi aliyoiweka: Nimeingia mahali pa Daudi baba yangu na sasa ninakikalia kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama vile Bwana alivyoahidi, nami nimejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli.

Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

21 Nimetenga nafasi humo kwa ajili ya Sanduku la Agano, ambamo ndani yake kuna lile Agano la Bwana alilofanya na baba zetu wakati alipowatoa Misri.”

And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

22 Kisha Solomoni akasimama mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana machoni pa kusanyiko lote la Israeli, akakunjua mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

23 na kusema: “Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni wala chini duniani, wewe unayetunza Agano lako la upendo na watumishi wanaodumu katika njia yako kwa moyo wote.

and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

24 Umetimiza ahadi yako kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, kwa kinywa chako uliahidi na kwa mkono wako umetimiza, kama ilivyo leo.

You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day.

25 “Sasa Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, mtimizie mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ahadi zako ulizomwahidi uliposema, ‘Kamwe hutakosa kuwa na mtu atakayeketi mbele zangu kwenye kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama wanao wakiangalia yote wayafanyayo kuenenda mbele zangu kama vile ulivyofanya.’

Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’

26 Sasa, Ee Mungu wa Israeli, acha neno lako lile ulilomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu litimie.

And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David.

27 “Lakini kweli, je, Mungu atafanya makao duniani? Mbingu, hata mbingu zilizo juu sana, haziwezi kukutosha wewe. Sembuse Hekalu hili nililojenga!

But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

28 Hata hivyo sikiliza dua ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake kwa huruma, Ee Bwana Mungu wangu. Sikia kilio na dua ambayo mtumishi wako anaomba mbele zako siku hii ya leo.

Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.

29 Macho yako na yafumbuke kuelekea Hekalu hili usiku na mchana, mahali hapa ambapo ulisema, ‘Jina langu litakuwako humo,’ ili kwamba upate kusikia maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba kuelekea mahali hapa.

May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.

30 Usikie maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli wakati wanapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa. Sikia kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako na usikiapo, samehe.

Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

31 “Mtu anapomkosea jirani yake na akatakiwa kuapa, akija na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako ndani ya Hekalu hili,

When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,

32 basi, sikia kutoka mbinguni na ukatende. Hukumu kati ya watumishi wako, ukimhukumu yule mwenye hatia na kuleta juu ya kichwa chake yale aliyoyatenda. Umtangazie mwenye haki kwamba hana hatia, hivyo ukathibitishe kuwa haki kwake.

then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

33 “Wakati watu wako Israeli watakapokuwa wameshindwa na adui kwa sababu ya dhambi walizofanya dhidi yako, watakapokugeukia na kulikiri jina lako, wakiomba na kufanya dua kwako katika Hekalu hili,

When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple,

34 basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, ukasamehe dhambi ya watu wako Israeli na kuwarudisha katika nchi uliyowapa baba zao.

then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers.

35 “Wakati mbingu zitakapokuwa zimefungwa kusiwe na mvua kwa sababu watu wako wametenda dhambi dhidi yako, watakapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa na kulikiri jina lako nao wakageuka kutoka dhambi zao kwa sababu umewaadhibu,

When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them,

36 basi usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi ya watumishi wako, watu wako Israeli. Wafundishe njia sahihi ya kuishi na ukanyeshe mvua juu ya nchi uliyowapa watu wako kuwa urithi.

then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

37 “Wakati njaa au tauni vikija juu ya nchi, au koga au kawa, nzige au panzi, au wakati adui atakapowazingira katika mji wao wowote, maafa ya namna yoyote au ugonjwa wowote unaoweza kuwajia,

When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,

38 wakati dua au maombi yatakapofanywa na mmojawapo wa watu wako Israeli, kila mmoja akitambua taabu za moyo wake mwenyewe, naye akainyoosha mikono yake kuelekea Hekalu hili:

then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple—

39 basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, katika makao yako. Usamehe na utende, umpe kila mtu kulingana na matendo yake, kwa kuwa unaujua moyo wake (kwa kuwa ni wewe peke yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu wote),

be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—

40 ili wakuogope kwa wakati wote watakaoishi katika nchi uliyowapa baba zetu.

so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.

41 “Kwa habari ya mgeni ambaye si miongoni mwa watu wako Israeli, lakini amekuja kutoka nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako,

And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name—

42 kwa maana watu watasikia juu ya Jina lako kuu na juu ya mkono wako wenye nguvu na mkono wako ulionyooshwa, atakapokuja na kuomba kuelekea Hekalu hili,

for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,

43 basi na usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, ukafanye lolote ambalo mgeni huyo anakuomba, ili mataifa yote ya dunia wapate kujua jina lako na wakuogope kama wafanyavyo watu wako Israeli nao wapate pia kujua kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga imeitwa kwa Jina lako.

then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

44 “Wakati watu wako watakapokwenda vitani dhidi ya adui zao, popote utakapowapeleka, wakati watakapoomba kwa Bwana kuelekea mji ambao umeuchagua, na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako,

When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name,

45 basi usikie dua na maombi yao kutoka mbinguni, ukawatetee haki yao.

then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.

46 “Watakapotenda dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye hatendi dhambi, nawe ukachukizwa nao na kuwakabidhi kwa adui, ambaye atawachukua utumwani katika nchi yake mwenyewe, mbali au karibu;

When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,

47 na kama watabadilika mioyo yao katika nchi wanakoshikiliwa mateka, nao wakatubu na kukulilia katika nchi ya wale waliowashinda na kusema, ‘Tumetenda dhambi, tumefanya makosa, tumetenda uovu’;

and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

48 kama wakikugeukia kwa moyo wao wote na nafsi zao katika nchi ya adui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, wakakuomba kuelekea nchi uliyowapa baba zao, kuelekea mji uliouchagua na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako;

and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,

49 basi kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, usikie dua yao na maombi yao na kuitetea haki yao.

then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.

50 Uwasamehe watu wako, waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako; uwasamehe makosa yote waliyoyatenda dhidi yako, ukawafanye wale waliowashinda kuwaonea huruma;

May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.

51 kwa maana ni watu wako na urithi wako, uliowatoa Misri, kutoka kwenye lile tanuru la kuyeyushia chuma.

For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron.

52 “Macho yako na yafumbuke juu ya ombi la mtumishi wako na ombi la watu wako Israeli, nawe uwasikilize wakati wowote wanapokulilia.

May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You.

53 Kwa maana uliwachagua wao kutoka mataifa yote ya ulimwengu kuwa urithi wako mwenyewe, kama ulivyotangaza kupitia mtumishi wako Mose wakati wewe, Ee Bwana Mwenyezi, ulipowatoa baba zetu kutoka Misri.”

For You, O Lord GOD, as Your inheritance, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”

54 Wakati Solomoni alipomaliza dua hizi zote na maombi kwa Bwana, akainuka kutoka mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana, mahali alipokuwa amepiga magoti, mikono yake ikawa imekunjuliwa kuelekea juu mbinguni.

Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

55 Akasimama na kubariki kusanyiko lote la Israeli kwa sauti kubwa akisema:

And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:

56 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, aliyewapa pumziko watu wake Israeli kama vile alivyokuwa ameahidi. Hakuna hata neno moja lililopunguka kati ya ahadi zote nzuri alizozitoa kupitia mtumishi wake Mose.

“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.

57 Bwana Mungu wetu na awe pamoja nasi kama alivyokuwa na baba zetu, kamwe asituache wala kutukataa.

May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us nor forsake us.

58 Yeye na aielekeze mioyo yetu kwake, ili tutembee katika njia zake zote na kuzishika amri na maagizo na masharti aliyowapa baba zetu.

May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers.

59 Nami maneno yangu haya, ambayo nimeyaomba mbele za Bwana, yawe karibu na Bwana Mungu wetu usiku na mchana, ili kwamba atetee shauri la mtumishi wake na la watu wake Israeli kulingana na hitaji lao la kila siku,

And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold the cause of His servant and of His people Israel as each day requires,

60 ili kwamba mataifa yote ya dunia wajue kwamba Bwana ndiye Mungu na kwamba hakuna mwingine.

so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!

61 Lakini ni lazima mwiweke mioyo yenu kikamilifu kwa Bwana Mungu wetu, kuishi kwa maagizo yake na kutii amri zake, kama ilivyo wakati huu.”

So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.”

62 Kisha mfalme na Israeli wote pamoja naye wakatoa dhabihu mbele za Bwana.

Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD.

63 Solomoni akatoa dhabihu sadaka za amani kwa Bwana: ngʼombe 22,000, pamoja na kondoo na mbuzi 120,000. Hivyo ndivyo mfalme na Waisraeli wote walivyoweka wakfu Hekalu la Bwana.

And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.

64 Siku iyo hiyo mfalme akaweka wakfu sehemu ya katikati ya ua uliokuwa mbele ya Hekalu la Bwana na hapo akatoa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka za amani, kwa sababu madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele za Bwana ilikuwa ndogo sana kuweza kubeba sadaka hizo za kuteketezwa, sadaka za nafaka na mafuta ya sadaka ya amani.

On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.

65 Hivyo Solomoni akaiadhimisha sikukuu kwa wakati ule, na Israeli wote pamoja naye. Walikuwa kusanyiko kubwa sana, watu kutoka Lebo-Hamathi hadi Kijito cha Misri. Wakaiadhimisha mbele za Bwana Mungu wetu kwa siku saba na siku saba zaidi, yaani, jumla siku kumi na nne.

So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.

66 Siku iliyofuata, aliwaruhusu watu waondoke. Wakambariki mfalme, kisha wakaenda nyumbani, wakiwa na mashangilio na furaha rohoni kwa ajili ya mambo yote mema ambayo Bwana ametenda kwa ajili ya Daudi mtumishi wake na watu wake Israeli.

On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel.