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.

In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me.

2 Ndipo neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:

Then the word of the LORD 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 tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.

4 “Je, utawahukumu? Je, mwanadamu, utawahukumu? Basi uwakabili kwa ajili ya machukizo ya baba zao

Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with 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 tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD 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.

On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, 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: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD 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 refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in 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 acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

10 Kwa hiyo nikawaongoza watoke Misri na kuwaleta jangwani.

So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led 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 made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.

12 Pia niliwapa Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu nao, ili wapate kujua kuwa Mimi Bwana niliwafanya kuwa watakatifu.

I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD 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.

Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.

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 acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had 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, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, 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 kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.

17 Lakini niliwahurumia wala sikuwaangamiza wala hakuwafuta kabisa jangwani.

Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.

18 Niliwaambia watoto wao kule jangwani, “Msifuate amri za baba zenu wala kushika sheria zao au kujinajisi kwa sanamu zao.

In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.

19 Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu, fuateni amri zangu tena kuweni waangalifu kushika sheria zangu.

I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.

20 Zitakaseni Sabato zangu ili ziwe ishara kati yangu nanyi. Ndipo mtakapojua kuwa Mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu wenu.”

Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD 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 children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent 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.

But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

23 Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba ningewatawanya miongoni mwa mataifa na kuwatawanya katika nchi mbalimbali,

However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.

24 kwa sababu hawakutii sheria zangu lakini walikuwa wamekataa amri zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu, nayo macho yao yakatamani sanamu za baba zao.

For they did not practice My ordinances, but they rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, fixing their eyes on the idols of their fathers.

25 Pia niliwaacha wafuate amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri na sheria ambazo mtu hawezi kuishi kwa hizo sheria.

I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could 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 pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.

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 tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by their unfaithfulness 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.

When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out 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.)

So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)

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 tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with 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.

When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!

32 “‘Lile lililoko mioyoni mwenu kamwe halitatokea, mnaposema, “Tunataka tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama watu wengine wa dunia, wanaotumikia miti na mawe.”

When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass.

33 Hakika kama niishivyo asema Bwana Mwenyezi, nitatawala juu yenu kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.

As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will rule over you.

34 Nitawatoa toka katika mataifa na kuwakusanya kutoka nchi mlikotawanywa, kwa mkono wa nguvu na kwa mkono ulionyooshwa na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagwa.

With a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered.

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 nations, where 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, declares the Lord GOD.

37 Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, nami nitawaleta katika mkataba wa Agano.

I will make you pass under the rod and 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 you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

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.

And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and 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 on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your offerings and choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.

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.

When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through 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.

Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I swore to give 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.

There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done.

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.’”

Then you will know, O house of Israel, that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for the sake of My name and not according to your wicked ways and corrupt acts, declares the Lord GOD.”

45 Neno la Bwana likanijia kusema:

Now the word of the LORD 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 your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev.

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.

Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.

48 Kila mmoja ataona kuwa mimi Bwana ndiye niliyeuwasha huo moto, nao hautazimwa.’”

Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.”

49 Ndipo niliposema, “Aa, Bwana Mwenyezi! Wao hunisema, ‘Huyu si huzungumza mafumbo tu?’”

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”