< Danieli 4 >

1 Mfalme Nebukadneza, Kwa kabila za watu, mataifa na watu wa kila lugha, wanaoishi katika ulimwengu wote: Mafanikio yawe kwenu sana!
Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 Ni furaha yangu kuwaambia kuhusu ishara za miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu Aliye Juu Sana amenifanyia.
It hath seemed good unto me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God hath wrought toward me.
3 Ishara zake ni kuu aje, na maajabu yake yana nguvu aje! Ufalme wake ni ufalme wa milele; enzi yake hudumu kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4 Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa nyumbani katika jumba langu la kifalme, nikiwa ninaishi kwa raha na hali ya kufanikiwa.
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5 Niliota ndoto iliyoniogopesha. Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, njozi na maono yaliyopita mawazoni mwangu vilinitisha.
I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Hivyo nikaagiza kwamba watu wote wenye hekima wa Babeli waletwe mbele yangu kunifasiria ndoto yangu.
And I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Walipokuja waganga, wasihiri, wanajimu na waaguzi, niliwaambia ndoto yangu, lakini hawakuweza kunifasiria.
Then came in the scribes, the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation of it.
8 Mwishoni, Danieli alikuja mbele yangu nikamweleza hiyo ndoto. (Danieli anaitwa Belteshaza, kwa jina la mungu wangu, nayo roho ya miungu mitakatifu inakaa ndani yake.)
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and before him I told the dream:
9 Nilisema, “Belteshaza, mkuu wa waganga, ninajua kuwa roho ya miungu mitakatifu iko ndani yako, wala hakuna siri iliyo ngumu kwako. Hii ndiyo ndoto yangu, nifasirie.
O Belteshazzar, master of the scribes, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret is too hard for thee, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, and the interpretation of it.
10 Haya ndiyo maono niliyoona nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu: Nilitazama, na mbele yangu ulisimama mti katikati ya nchi. Ulikuwa mrefu sana.
Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.
11 Mti ule ulikua, ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga; ulionekana mpaka miisho ya dunia.
The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached unto the heavens, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth.
12 Majani yake yalikuwa ya kupendeza, matunda yake yalikuwa mengi, na juu yake kulikuwa na chakula kwa ajili ya wote. Chini ya kivuli chake wanyama wa kondeni walipata hifadhi, na ndege wa angani waliishi katika matawi yake. Kila kiumbe kililishwa kutokana na mti huo.
Its leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all: the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
13 “Katika maono niliyoyaona nikiwa nimelala kitandani mwangu, nilitazama, na mbele yangu alikuwepo mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni.
I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the heavens;
14 Akaita kwa sauti kubwa: ‘Kateni mti huu, myafyeke matawi yake; yaondoeni majani yake na kuyatawanya matunda yake. Wanyama na wakimbie kutoka chini yake na ndege waondoke kutoka matawi yake.
he cried aloud, and said thus: Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the birds from its branches.
15 Lakini acheni kisiki chake na mizizi, kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na shaba, kibaki ardhini, kwenye majani ya kondeni. “‘Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, naye aachwe aishi pamoja na wanyama miongoni mwa mimea ya dunia.
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 Akili yake na ibadilishwe kutoka ile ya mwanadamu na apewe akili ya mnyama, mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.
Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 “‘Uamuzi huu umetangazwa na walinzi, hukumu imetangazwa na watakatifu, ili walio hai wajue kuwa Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme zote za wanadamu, naye humpa yeyote amtakaye na kumtawaza juu yake hata yeye aliye mnyonge sana miongoni mwa wanadamu.’
This sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones: that the living may know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
18 “Hii ndiyo ndoto niliyoipata mimi, Mfalme Nebukadneza. Sasa Belteshaza, niambie maana yake, kwa maana hakuna hata mmoja wa wenye hekima katika ufalme wangu anayeweza kunifasiria. Bali wewe waweza, kwa sababu roho ya miungu mitakatifu imo ndani yako.”
This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and thou, Belteshazzar, tell the interpretation, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
19 Ndipo Danieli (aliyeitwa pia Belteshaza) alipofadhaika sana kwa muda, nayo mawazo yake yakamtia hofu. Basi mfalme akasema, “Belteshaza, usiruhusu ndoto wala maana yake kukutia hofu.” Belteshaza akamjibu, “Bwana wangu, laiti ndoto hii ingehusu adui zako, na maana yake iwahusu watesi wako!
Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, nor its interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and its interpretation to thine enemies!
20 Mti uliouona, uliokua ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga na kuonekana duniani kote,
The tree that thou sawest, which grew and was strong, whose height reached unto the heavens, and the sight of it to all the earth;
21 ukiwa na majani ya kupendeza na matunda mengi, ukitoa chakula kwa wote, na ukiwapa hifadhi wanyama wa kondeni na kuwa mahali pa viota katika matawi yake kwa ajili ya ndege wa angani.
whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens had their habitation:
22 Ee mfalme, wewe ndiwe ule mti! Umekuwa mkubwa na mwenye nguvu, nao ukuu wako umekua mpaka kufika juu angani, nayo mamlaka yako yameenea mpaka miisho ya dunia.
it is thou, O king, who art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto the heavens, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
23 “Ee mfalme, wewe ulimwona mlinzi, aliye mtakatifu, akishuka kutoka mbinguni na kusema, ‘Ukateni mti na kuuangamiza, lakini kiacheni kisiki kikiwa kimefungwa kwa chuma na kwa shaba, kwenye majani ya kondeni, wakati mizizi yake inabaki ardhini. Mwacheni aloweshwe na umande wa mbinguni, mwacheni aishi kama wanyama pori mpaka nyakati saba zipite juu yake.’
And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the heavens, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be bathed with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him:
24 “Ee mfalme, hii ndiyo tafsiri, na hii ni amri ya Aliye Juu Sana aliyoitoa dhidi ya bwana wangu mfalme:
this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which cometh upon my lord the king:
25 Wewe utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, nawe utaishi pamoja na wanyama pori; utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe, na kuloana kwa umande wa mbinguni. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye.
They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and thou shalt be bathed with the dew of heaven; and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 Amri ya kuacha kisiki pamoja na mizizi yake inamaanisha kwamba ufalme wako utarejezwa kwako utakapokubali kwamba Mbingu ndizo zitawalazo.
And whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy kingdom shall remain unto thee, after that thou shalt know that the heavens do rule.
27 Kwa hiyo, ee mfalme, uwe radhi kupokea shauri langu: Acha dhambi zako kwa kutenda yaliyo haki, ukaache uovu wako, na uwe na huruma kwa walioonewa. Hivyo itawezekana baada ya hayo, mafanikio yako yakaendelea.”
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
28 Haya yote yalimpata Mfalme Nebukadneza.
All this came upon king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 Miezi kumi na miwili baadaye, mfalme alipokuwa akitembea juu ya paa la jumba la kifalme la Babeli,
At the end of twelve months he was walking upon the royal palace of Babylon:
30 alisema, “Je, huu si Babeli mji mkuu nilioujenga kama makao ya kifalme, kwa uwezo wangu mkubwa, na kwa ajili ya utukufu wa enzi yangu?”
the king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?
31 Maneno hayo yalikuwa bado katika midomo yake wakati sauti ilipokuja kutoka mbinguni, ikisema, “Mfalme Nebukadneza, hiki ndicho kilichoamriwa kwa ajili yako: Mamlaka yako ya ufalme yameondolewa kutoka kwako.
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the heavens: King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee;
32 Utafukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, ukaishi pamoja na wanyama pori, na utakula manyasi kama ngʼombe. Nyakati saba zitapita juu yako, mpaka utakapokubali kuwa Yeye Aliye Juu Sana ndiye anayetawala juu ya falme za wanadamu, naye humtawaza yeyote amtakaye.”
and they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 Papo hapo yale yaliyokuwa yamesemwa kuhusu Nebukadneza yakatimia. Alifukuzwa mbali na wanadamu, akala majani kama ngʼombe. Mwili wake uliloweshwa kwa umande wa mbinguni mpaka nywele zake zikakua kama manyoya ya tai na kucha zake kama makucha ya ndege.
The same hour was the word fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen; and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, till his hair grew like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].
34 Mwisho wa huo wakati, mimi Nebukadneza, niliinua macho yangu kuelekea mbinguni, nazo fahamu zangu zikanirudia. Ndipo nikamsifu Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, nikamheshimu na kumhimidi yeye aishiye milele. Utawala wake ni utawala wa milele; ufalme wake hudumu kutoka kizazi na kizazi.
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto the heavens, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 Mataifa yote ya dunia yanahesabiwa kuwa si kitu. Hufanya kama atakavyo kwa majeshi ya mbinguni, na kwa mataifa ya dunia. Hakuna anayeweza kuuzuia mkono wake au kumwambia, “Umefanya nini wewe?”
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 Wakati huo huo fahamu zangu ziliponirudia, nikarudishiwa heshima yangu na fahari yangu kwa ajili ya utukufu wa ufalme wangu. Washauri wangu na wakuu wangu walikuja kunitafuta, nami nikarudishwa kwenye kiti changu cha ufalme hata nikawa mkuu kuliko mwanzoni.
At the same time mine understanding returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my nobles sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added unto me.
37 Basi mimi, Nebukadneza, humhimidi, na humtukuza na kumsifu Mfalme wa mbinguni, kwa sababu kila kitu afanyacho ni haki, na njia zake zote ni adili. Nao waendao kwa kiburi anaweza kuwashusha.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of the heavens, all whose works are truth, and his paths judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

< Danieli 4 >