Ezekieli 19
1 “Wewe fanya maombolezo kuhusu wakuu wa Israeli
“Moreover, take up a lamentation 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. She couched among lions, in the middle of the young lions she nourished 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. He became a young lion. He learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.
4 Mataifa wakasikia habari zake, naye akanaswa katika shimo lao. Wakamwongoza kwa ndoana mpaka nchi ya Misri.
The nations also heard of him. He was taken in their pit; and they brought him with hooks 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.
“‘Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then 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 went up and down among the lions. He became a young lion. He learned to catch the prey. He devoured men.
7 Akabomoa ngome zao na kuiharibu miji yao. Nchi na wote waliokuwa ndani yake wakatiwa hofu kwa kunguruma kwake.
He knew their palaces, and laid waste their cities. The land was desolate with its fullness, because of the noise 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 attacked him on every side from the provinces. They spread their net over him. He was taken 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.
They put him in a cage with hooks, and brought him to the king of Babylon. They brought him into strongholds, so that his voice should no more be heard 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 blood, planted by the waters. It was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many 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 for the scepters of those who ruled. Their stature was exalted among the thick boughs. They were seen in their height with the multitude of their branches.
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 plucked up in fury. It was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were broken off and 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 of its branches. It has devoured its fruit, so that there is in it no strong branch to be a scepter to rule.’ This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.”
