1 Samweli 5

1 Baada ya Wafilisti kuteka Sanduku la Mungu, walilichukua kutoka Ebenezeri mpaka Ashdodi.

Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

2 Kisha wakaliingiza lile Sanduku ndani ya hekalu la Dagoni na kuliweka kando ya huyo Dagoni.

The Philistines took the ark of God, brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it up beside Dagon.

3 Watu wa Ashdodi walipoamka asubuhi na mapema kesho yake, kumbe, wakamkuta Dagoni ameanguka chini kifudifudi mbele ya Sanduku la Bwana! Wakamwinua Dagoni na kumrudisha mahali pake.

When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again.

4 Lakini asubuhi iliyofuata, walipoamka kumbe, walimkuta huyo Dagoni ameanguka chini kifudifudi mbele ya Sanduku la Bwana! Kichwa chake na mikono vilikuwa vimevunjwa navyo vimelala kizingitini, ni kiwiliwili chake tu kilichokuwa kimebaki.

But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off in the doorway. Only the trunk of Dagon remained.

5 Ndiyo sababu mpaka leo makuhani wa Dagoni wala wengine waingiao katika hekalu la Dagoni huko Ashdodi hawakanyagi kizingiti.

This is why, even today, the priests of Dagon and anyone who comes into Dagon's house does not step on the doorway of Dagon in Ashdod.

6 Mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa mzito juu ya watu wa Ashdodi na vijiji jirani, akaleta uharibifu juu yao na kuwatesa kwa majipu.

Yahweh's hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.

7 Watu wa Ashdodi walipoona kile kilichokuwa kikitokea, wakasema, “Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli kamwe lisikae hapa pamoja na sisi, kwa sababu mkono wake ni mzito juu yetu na juu ya Dagoni mungu wetu.”

When the men of Ashdod realized what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay with us, because his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.”

8 Basi wakawaita watawala wote wa Wafilisti pamoja na kuwauliza, “Tutafanya nini na hili Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli?” Wakajibu, “Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli na liende Gathi.” Basi wakalihamisha Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli.

So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, “What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

9 Lakini baada ya kulihamisha, mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa dhidi ya huo mji wa Gathi, akiuweka katika fadhaa kuu. Mungu akawatesa watu wa huo mji, vijana kwa wazee, kwa kuwaletea majipu.

But after they brought it around, Yahweh's hand was against the city, causing a very great confusion. He afflicted the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them.

10 Basi wakapeleka Sanduku la Mungu Ekroni. Wakati Sanduku la Mungu lilipokuwa linaingia Ekroni, watu wa Ekroni walilia wakisema “Wamelileta Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli kwetu ili kutuua sisi na watu wetu.”

So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came into Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.”

11 Basi wakawaita watawala wote wa Wafilisti pamoja na kusema, “Liondoeni Sanduku la Mungu wa Israeli na lirudishwe mahali pake, la sivyo litatuua sisi na watu wetu.” Kwa kuwa kifo kilikuwa kimeujaza mji hofu; kwani mkono wa Mungu ulikuwa mzito sana juu yake.

So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

12 Wale ambao hawakufa walipatwa na majipu, na kilio cha mji kilikwenda juu hadi mbinguni.

The men who did not die were afflicted with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to the heavens.