1 Samweli 5
1 Baada ya Wafilisti kuteka Sanduku la Mungu, walilichukua kutoka Ebenezeri mpaka Ashdodi.
Now the Philistines had taken God’s ark, 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 God’s ark, and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by 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 arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark. They took Dagon and set him 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.
When they arose early on the following morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the LORD’s ark; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso was intact.
5 Ndiyo sababu mpaka leo makuhani wa Dagoni wala wengine waingiao katika hekalu la Dagoni huko Ashdodi hawakanyagi kizingiti.
Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.
6 Mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa mzito juu ya watu wa Ashdodi na vijiji jirani, akaleta uharibifu juu yao na kuwatesa kwa majipu.
But the LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and he destroyed them and struck them with tumours, even Ashdod and its borders.
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 saw that it was so, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel shall not stay with us, for his hand is severe on us and on 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.
They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried over to Gath.” 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.
It was so, that after they had carried it there, the LORD’s hand was against the city with a very great confusion; and he struck the men of the city, both small and great, so that tumours 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 God’s ark to Ekron. As God’s ark came to Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to us, 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.
They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, “Send the ark of the God of Israel away, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people.” For there was a deadly panic throughout all 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 didn’t die were struck with the tumours; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
