Ezekieli 19
1 “Wewe fanya maombolezo kuhusu wakuu wa Israeli
“As for you, take up a lament for the princes of Israel
2 na useme: “‘Tazama jinsi gani mama yako alivyokuwa simba jike miongoni mwa simba! Alilala katikati ya wana simba na kulisha watoto wake.
and say: ‘What was your mother? A lioness among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs.
3 Alimlea mmoja wa watoto wake, naye akawa simba mwenye nguvu. Akajifunza kurarua mawindo naye akala watu.
She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
4 Mataifa wakasikia habari zake, naye akanaswa katika shimo lao. Wakamwongoza kwa ndoana mpaka nchi ya Misri.
When the nations heard of him, he was trapped in their pit. With hooks they led him away to the land of Egypt.
5 “‘Mama yake alipongoja na kuona tumaini lake halitimiziki, nayo matarajio yake yametoweka, akamchukua mwanawe mwingine na kumfanya simba mwenye nguvu.
When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion.
6 Alizungukazunguka miongoni mwa simba, kwa kuwa sasa alikuwa simba mwenye nguvu. Akajifunza kurarua mawindo naye akala watu.
He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men.
7 Akabomoa ngome zao na kuiharibu miji yao. Nchi na wote waliokuwa ndani yake wakatiwa hofu kwa kunguruma kwake.
He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring.
8 Kisha mataifa wakaja dhidi yake kutoka sehemu zilizomzunguka. Wakatanda nyavu zao kwa ajili yake, naye akanaswa katika shimo lao.
Then the nations set out against him from the provinces on every side. They spread their net over him; he was trapped in their pit.
9 Kwa kutumia ndoana wakamvutia kwenye tundu na kumleta mpaka kwa mfalme wa Babeli. Wakamtia gerezani, hivyo kunguruma kwake hakukusikika tena katika milima ya Israeli.
With hooks they caged him and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into captivity so that his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.
10 “‘Mama yako alikuwa kama mzabibu katika shamba lako la mizabibu uliopandwa kando ya maji, ukiwa unazaa sana na wenye matawi mengi kwa sababu ya wingi wa maji.
Your mother was like a vine in your vineyard, planted by the water; it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundant waters.
11 Matawi yake yalikuwa na nguvu, yaliyofaa kuwa fimbo ya enzi ya mtawala. Ulikuwa mrefu kupita miti mingine katikati ya matawi manene; ulionekana kwa urahisi kwa ajili ya urefu wake na wingi wa matawi yake.
It had strong branches, fit for a ruler’s scepter. It towered high above the thick branches, conspicuous for its height and for its dense foliage.
12 Lakini ulingʼolewa kwa hasira kali na kutupwa chini. Upepo wa mashariki uliufanya usinyae, matunda yake yakapukutika, matawi yake yenye nguvu yakanyauka na moto ukayateketeza.
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.
13 Sasa umepandwa jangwani katika nchi kame na ya kiu.
Now it is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty land.
14 Moto ulienea kuanzia katika mmojawapo ya matawi yake makubwa na kuteketeza matunda yake. Hakuna tawi lenye nguvu lililobaki juu yake lifaalo kuwa fimbo ya enzi ya mtawala.’ Hili ndilo ombolezo, na litumike kama ombolezo.”
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”
