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 chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring 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 to 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 the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that [were] in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring.

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 to 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 the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the oracle 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] two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staffs 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 they drew out the staffs, that the ends of the staffs were seen out in the holy [place] before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are 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 save the two tables of stone, which Moses deposited 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 had 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 because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

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

Then spoke Solomon, The LORD 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 to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide 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 were standing.

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 God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to 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 from Egypt, I have chosen no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; 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.

And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD 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.

And the LORD said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house to 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 to 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 performed his word that he spoke, and I have risen in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built a house for the name of the LORD 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 I have set there a place for the ark, in which [is] the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them from 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 towards 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, LORD 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: thou didst speak also 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.’

Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; provided thy children take heed to their way, that they 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.

And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou didst speak to 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 indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that 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 have thou respect to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken to 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 thy eyes may be open towards this house night and day, [even] towards the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken to the prayer which thy servant shall make towards 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 towards this place: and 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 any man shall trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thy 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 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 shall be smitten before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication to 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 again to the land which thou gavest 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 heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray towards this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest 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, that thou mayest teach them the good way in which they should walk, and give 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 shall be in the land famine, if there shall be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, [or] if there shall be caterpillar; if their enemy shall besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness [there shall 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:

Whatever prayer and supplication shall be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands towards 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 give to every man according to 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 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,

Moreover, concerning a stranger, that [is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh 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 strong hand, and of thy out-stretched arm; ) when he shall come and pray towards 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 people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy 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,

If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray to the LORD towards the city which thou hast chosen, and [towards] the house that 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 shall sin against thee, (for [there is] no man that sinneth not, ) and thou shalt be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives to the land of the enemy, 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’;

[Yet] if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent and make supplication to thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

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 [so] return to thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, who led them away captive, and pray to thee towards their land, which thou gavest to 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 that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them 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 thy inheritance, which thou broughtest 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 thy eyes may be open to the supplication of thy servant, and to the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken to them in all their supplications to 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 separate them from among all the people of the earth, [to be] thy 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 to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands spread up to 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 to 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 to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, 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 with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh to the LORD our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:

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

That all the people of the earth may know, that the LORD [is] God, [and that 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 perfect 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 a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered to 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 consecrate the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings: because the brazen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt-offerings, and meat-offerings, 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.

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance into Hamath to the river 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 to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.