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, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2 Ni furaha yangu kuwaambia kuhusu ishara za miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu Aliye Juu Sana amenifanyia.
It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked towards 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! How mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. 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 on 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.
Therefore I made a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Walipokuja waganga, wasihiri, wanajimu na waaguzi, niliwaambia ndoto yangu, lakini hawakuweza kunifasiria.
Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in; and I told them the dream, but they didn’t make known to me its interpretation.
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 last, Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. I told the dream before him, saying,
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.
“Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 Haya ndiyo maono niliyoona nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani mwangu: Nilitazama, na mbele yangu ulisimama mti katikati ya nchi. Ulikuwa mrefu sana.
These were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and behold, a tree in the middle 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. Its height reached to the sky and its sight 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 it had much fruit, and in it was food for all. The animals of the field had shade under it, and the birds of the sky lived 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 on my bed, and behold, a holy watcher came down from the sky.
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 this: ‘Cut down the tree, and cut off its branches! Shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit! Let the animals 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 bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals 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 an animal’s heart be given to him. Then 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.’
“‘The sentence is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest 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 you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”
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 was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or the interpretation, trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
20 Mti uliouona, uliokua ukawa mkubwa na wenye nguvu, nayo ncha yake ikagusa anga na kuonekana duniani kote,
The tree that you saw, which grew and was strong, whose height reached to the sky and its sight 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 plentiful, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky 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 you, O king, that have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown, and reaches to the sky, and your 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.’
“Whereas the king saw a holy watcher coming down from the sky and saying, ‘Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky. Let his portion be with the animals of the field, until 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 has come on 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.
You will be driven from men and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You will be made to eat grass as oxen, and will be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.
26 Amri ya kuacha kisiki pamoja na mizizi yake inamaanisha kwamba ufalme wako utarejezwa kwako utakapokubali kwamba Mbingu ndizo zitawalazo.
Whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be sure to you after you know that Heaven rules.
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 to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.”
28 Haya yote yalimpata Mfalme Nebukadneza.
All this came on the 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 in 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, which I have built for the royal dwelling place 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, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: ‘The kingdom has departed from you.
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.”
You shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever 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.
This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; and his body was wet with the dew of the sky until his hair had grown 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.
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom 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?”
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stop his hand, or ask him, “What are you doing?”
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 my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counsellors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to 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 heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
