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.

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

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 assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

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

And all the elders of Israel came, and 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, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring 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.

And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

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.

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto its place, into the Sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under 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 forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

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.

And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place, even before the Sanctuary; but they could not be seen without; and there they are unto 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 save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.

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

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that 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 to minister by reason 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 spoke Solomon: The LORD hath said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.

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

I have surely built Thee a house of habitation, a place for Thee to dwell in for ever.

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

And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; and all the congregation of Israel stood.

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 he said: 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and hath with His hand fulfilled it, 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 that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose 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 David my father 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 unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy 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 thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall 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.

And the LORD hath established His word that He spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and 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 have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which 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

And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth 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 he said: 'O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keepest covenant and mercy with Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their heart;

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

who hast kept with Thy servant David my father that which Thou didst promise him; yea, Thou spokest with Thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thy hand, as it is 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.’

Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David my father that which Thou hast promised him saying: There shall not fail thee a man in My sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me as thou hast walked before Me.

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

Now therefore, O God of Israel, let Thy word, I pray Thee, be verified, which Thou didst speak unto Thy servant David my father.

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

But will God in very truth dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded!

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 have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee this day;

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.

that Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof Thou hast said: My name shall be there; to hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall pray 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.

And hearken Thou to the supplication of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; yea, hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place; and when Thou hearest, forgive.

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

If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be exacted of him to cause him to swear, and he come and swear before Thine altar in this house;

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 hear Thou in heaven, and do, and judge Thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give 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 Thy people Israel are smitten down before the enemy, when they do sin against Thee, if they turn again to Thee, and confess Thy name, and pray and make supplication unto Thee in this house;

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

then hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the land which Thou gavest unto 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 heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, when they do sin against Thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess Thy name, and turn from their sin, when Thou dost afflict 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 hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy people Israel, when Thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy people for 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,

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;

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:

what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man of all Thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house;

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),

then hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest — for Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men —

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

that they may fear Thee all the days that they live in the land which Thou gavest unto 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,

Moreover concerning the stranger that is not of Thy people Israel, when he shall come out of a far country for Thy name's sake—

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 shall hear of Thy great name, and of Thy mighty hand, and of Thine outstretched arm — when he shall come and pray toward this house;

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.

hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as doth Thy people Israel, and that they may know that Thy name is called upon this house which I have built.

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,

If Thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatsoever way Thou shalt send them, and they pray unto the LORD toward the city which Thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Thy name;

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

then hear Thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain 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;

If they sin against Thee — for there is no man that sinneth not — and Thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, far off 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’;

yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn back, and make supplication unto Thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying: We have sinned, and have done iniquitously, we have dealt 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;

if they return unto Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray unto Thee toward their land, which Thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which Thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for Thy name;

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

then hear Thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause;

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

and forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against Thee; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them;

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

for they are Thy people, and Thine inheritance, which Thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron;

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

that Thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of Thy servant, and unto the supplication of Thy people Israel, to hearken unto them whensoever they cry unto Thee.

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 Thou didst set them apart from among all the peoples of the earth, to be Thine inheritance, as Thou didst speak by the hand of Moses Thy servant, when Thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.'

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.

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

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

And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with 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, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised; there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

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

The LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; let Him not 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.

that He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His ordinances, which 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 let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that He maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel, as every day shall require;

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

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD, He is God; there is none else.

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

Let your heart therefore be whole with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.'

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

And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice 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 for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel 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.

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; for there he offered the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-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 Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance Hamath unto the Brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

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 eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David His servant, and to Israel His people.