Ezekieli 20
1 Katika mwaka wa saba, mwezi wa tano siku ya kumi, baadhi ya wazee wa Israeli wakaja ili kutaka ushauri kwa Bwana, wakaketi mbele yangu.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah, and sat before me.
2 Ndipo neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
3 “Mwanadamu, sema na wazee wa Israeli uwaambie, ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Kwa nini mmekuja? Je, ni kutaka ushauri kwangu? Hakika kama niishivyo, sitawaruhusu mtake ushauri toka kwangu, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.’
Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye have come? As I live, says the lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
4 “Je, utawahukumu? Je, mwanadamu, utawahukumu? Basi uwakabili kwa ajili ya machukizo ya baba zao
Will thou judge them, son of man, will thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers,
5 na uwaambie: ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Siku ile nilipochagua Israeli, niliwaapia wazao wa nyumba ya Yakobo kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nami nikajidhihirisha kwao huko Misri. Kwa mkono ulioinuliwa niliwaambia, “Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
and say to them, Thus says the lord Jehovah: In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am Jehovah your God,
6 Siku ile niliwaapia wao kwamba nitawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta katika nchi niliyowachagulia, nchi itiririkayo maziwa na asali, nchi nzuri kupita zote.
I swore to them in that day, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
7 Nami nikawaambia, “Kila mmoja wenu aondolee mbali sanamu za chukizo ambazo mmekazia macho, nanyi msijitie unajisi kwa sanamu za Misri. Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
And I said to them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.
8 “‘Lakini waliniasi na hawakunisikiliza, hawakuondolea mbali sanamu za machukizo ambazo walikuwa wamezikazia macho, wala kuondolea mbali sanamu za Misri. Ndipo nikasema, nitawamwagia ghadhabu yangu na kutimiza hasira yangu dhidi yao huko Misri.
But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken to me. They did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 Lakini kwa ajili ya Jina langu nilifanya kile ambacho kingelifanya lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa waliyoishi miongoni mwao na ambao machoni pao nilikuwa nimejifunua kwa Waisraeli kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
But I worked for my name's sake (that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them) in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10 Kwa hiyo nikawaongoza watoke Misri na kuwaleta jangwani.
So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 Nikawapa amri zangu na kuwajulisha sheria zangu, kwa kuwa mtu anayezitii ataishi kwa hizo.
And I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them.
12 Pia niliwapa Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu nao, ili wapate kujua kuwa Mimi Bwana niliwafanya kuwa watakatifu.
Moreover I also gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah who sanctifies them.
13 “‘Lakini watu wa Israeli waliniasi Mimi jangwani. Hawakufuata amri zangu, bali walikataa sheria zangu, ingawa mtu yule anayezitii ataishi kwa hizo sheria, nao walizinajisi Sabato zangu kabisa. Hivyo nilisema ningemwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao na kuwaangamiza huko jangwani.
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keeps, he shall live in them. And they greatly profaned my sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14 Lakini kwa ajili ya Jina langu nikafanya kile ambacho kitalifanya Jina langu lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa ambao mbele yao nilikuwa nimewatoa Waisraeli.
But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
15 Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba nisingewaingiza katika nchi niliyokuwa nimewapa, yaani, nchi itiririkayo maziwa na asali, nchi nzuri kuliko zote,
Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands,
16 kwa sababu walikataa sheria zangu na hawakufuata amri zangu na wakazinajisi Sabato zangu. Kwa kuwa mioyo yao iliandama sanamu zao.
because they rejected my ordinances, and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths, for their heart went after their idols.
17 Lakini niliwahurumia wala sikuwaangamiza wala hakuwafuta kabisa jangwani.
Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them, nor did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.
18 Niliwaambia watoto wao kule jangwani, “Msifuate amri za baba zenu wala kushika sheria zao au kujinajisi kwa sanamu zao.
And I said to their sons in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers. Neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
19 Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu, fuateni amri zangu tena kuweni waangalifu kushika sheria zangu.
I am Jehovah your God. Walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them,
20 Zitakaseni Sabato zangu ili ziwe ishara kati yangu nanyi. Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”
and hallow my sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Jehovah your God.
21 “‘Lakini watoto hao wakaniasi: Hawakufuata amri zangu, wala hawakuwa waangalifu kushika sheria zangu, ingawa mtu anayezitii anaishi kwa hizo sheria, nao wakazinajisi Sabato zangu. Hivyo nikasema ningemwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao na kutimiza hasira yangu dhidi yao huko jangwani.
But the sons rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes, nor kept my ordinances to do them, which if a man does, he shall live in them. They profaned my sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22 Lakini nikauzuia mkono wangu na kwa ajili ya Jina langu nikafanya kile ambacho kingelifanya Jina langu lisitiwe unajisi machoni mwa mataifa ambao mbele yao nilikuwa nimewatoa Waisraeli.
Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23 Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba ningewatawanya miongoni mwa mataifa na kuwatawanya katika nchi mbalimbali,
Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries,
24 kwa sababu hawakutii sheria zangu lakini walikuwa wamekataa amri zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu, nayo macho yao yakatamani sanamu za baba zao.
because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25 Pia niliwaacha wafuate amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri na sheria ambazo mtu hawezi kuishi kwa hizo sheria.
Moreover I also gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they will not live.
26 Nikawaacha wanajisiwe kwa matoleo yao, kuwatoa wazaliwa wao wa kwanza kafara kwa sanamu, yaani, kule kuwapitisha wazaliwa wao wa kwanza kwenye moto, nipate kuwajaza na hofu ili wajue kwamba Mimi ndimi Bwana.’
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah.
27 “Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu, sema na watu wa Israeli na uwaambie, ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Katika hili pia, baba zenu walinikufuru kwa kuniacha mimi:
Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the lord Jehovah: In this moreover your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28 Nilipowaleta katika nchi ile ambayo nilikuwa nimeapa kuwapa na kuona kilima chochote kirefu au mti wowote wenye majani mengi, huko walitoa dhabihu zao, wakatoa sadaka ambazo zilichochea hasira yangu, wakafukiza uvumba wenye harufu nzuri na kumimina sadaka zao za kinywaji.
For when I had brought them into the land, which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There also they made their sweet savor, and they poured out there their drink offerings.
29 Ndipo nikawaambia: Ni nini maana yake hapa mahali pa juu pa kuabudia miungu mnapopaendea?’” (Basi jina la mahali pale panaitwa Bama hata hivi leo.)
Then I said to them, What does the high place to which ye go mean? So the name of it is called Bamah to this day.
30 “Kwa hiyo iambie nyumba ya Israeli: ‘Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Je, mtajinajisi kama vile baba zenu walivyofanya na kutamani vinyago vyao vya machukizo?
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the lord Jehovah: Do ye pollute yourselves according to the manner of your fathers, and play ye the harlot according to their abominations?
31 Mnapotoa matoleo yenu, yaani, wana wenu kafara katika moto, mnaendelea kujinajisi na sanamu zenu zote hadi siku hii ya leo. Je, niulizwe neno na ninyi, ee nyumba ya Israeli? Hakika kama niishivyo, asema Bwana Mwenyezi, mimi sitaulizwa neno na ninyi.
And when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, do ye pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
32 “‘Lile lililoko mioyoni mwenu kamwe halitatokea, mnaposema, “Tunataka tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama watu wengine wa dunia, wanaotumikia miti na mawe.”
And that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, in that ye say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
33 Hakika kama niishivyo asema Bwana Mwenyezi, nitatawala juu yenu kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
As I live, says the lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, I will be king over you.
34 Nitawatoa toka katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlikotawanywa, kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.
And I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out,
35 Nitawaleta katika jangwa la mataifa na huko nitatekeleza hukumu juu yenu uso kwa uso.
and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples. And there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
36 Kama nilivyowahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, ndivyo nitakavyowahukumu ninyi, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.
Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, says the lord Jehovah.
37 Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, nami nitawaleta katika mkataba wa Agano.
And I will cause you to pass under the rod. And I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38 Nitawaondoa miongoni mwenu wale wanaohalifu na wale wanaoasi dhidi yangu. Ingawa nitawatoa katika nchi wanazoishi, hawataingia katika nchi ya Israeli. Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana.
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
39 “‘Kwa habari zenu ninyi, ee nyumba ya Israeli, hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Nendeni mkatumikie sanamu zenu, kila mmoja wenu! Lakini baadaye hakika mtanisikiliza mimi nanyi hamtalinajisi tena Jina langu takatifu, kwa matoleo yenu na sanamu zenu.
As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the lord Jehovah: Go ye. Serve each one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken to me. But ye shall no more profane my holy name with your gifts, and with your idols.
40 Kwa kuwa katika mlima wangu mtakatifu, mlima mrefu wa Israeli, asema Bwana Mwenyezi, hapo katika nchi nyumba yote ya Israeli itanitumikia mimi, nami huko nitawakubali. Huko nitataka sadaka zenu na matoleo ya malimbuko yenu, pamoja na dhabihu zenu takatifu zote.
For in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, says the lord Jehovah, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings, and the first-fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 Nitawakubali ninyi kama uvumba wenye harufu nzuri wakati nitakapowatoa katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlipokuwa mmetawanyika, nami nitajionyesha kuwa mtakatifu miongoni mwenu na machoni mwa mataifa.
I will accept you as a sweet savor when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries in which ye have been scattered. And I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
42 Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, nchi niliyokuwa nimeapa kwa mkono ulioinuliwa kuwapa baba zenu.
And ye shall know that I am Jehovah when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.
43 Hapo ndipo nitakapokumbuka mwenendo wenu na matendo yenu yote ambayo kwayo mlijitia unajisi, nanyi mtajichukia wenyewe kwa ajili ya maovu yote mliyokuwa mmetenda.
And there ye shall remember your ways, and all your doings, by which ye have polluted yourselves. And ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44 Nanyi mtajua kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana, nitakaposhughulika nanyi kwa ajili ya Jina langu na wala si sawasawa na njia zenu mbaya na matendo yenu maovu, ee nyumba ya Israeli, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.’”
And ye shall know that I am Jehovah when I have dealt with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, says the lord Jehovah.
45 Neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:
And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
46 “Mwanadamu, uelekeze uso wako upande wa kusini, hubiri juu ya upande wa kusini na utoe unabii juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South.
47 Waambie watu wa Negebu: ‘Sikieni neno la Bwana. Hili ndilo Bwana Mwenyezi asemalo: Ninakaribia kukutia moto, nao utateketeza miti yako yote, mibichi na iliyokauka. Miali ya moto haitaweza kuzimwa na kila uso kutoka kusini mpaka kaskazini utakaushwa kwa moto huo.
And say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah. Thus says the lord Jehovah: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree. The flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt by it.
48 Kila mmoja ataona kuwa mimi Bwana ndiye niliyeuwasha huo moto, nao hautazimwa.’”
And all flesh shall see that I, Jehovah, have kindled it. It shall not be quenched.
49 Ndipo niliposema, “Aa, Bwana Mwenyezi! Wao hunisema, ‘Huyu si huzungumza mafumbo tu?’”
Then I said, Ah lord Jehovah! They say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?
