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, on 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:
Then came the word of Jehovah 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 saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith 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
Punish them, punish them, son of man, cause them to know the abominations of their fathers, and say to them,
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.”
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: At the time when I chose Israel, I lifted up my hand to the race of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I lifted up my hand to them, and said, 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.
At that time I lifted up my hand to them, that I would bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, into a land which I had looked out for them, 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, Cast ye away from you every one the abomination of his eyes, and defile not 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 cast away every one the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, that I would accomplish mine 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted in the sight of the nations, in the midst of whom they were; and before their eyes 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.
And I brought them forth 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 laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live.
12 Pia niliwapa Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu nao, ili wapate kujua kuwa Mimi Bwana niliwafanya kuwa watakatifu.
Also I gave them my sabbaths, that they might be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I, Jehovah, sanctify 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 desert; they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live, and my sabbaths they greatly polluted. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them in the desert, 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted before the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
15 Tena kwa mkono ulioinuliwa nikawaapia huko jangwani kwamba nisingewaingiza katika nchi niliyokuwa nimewapa, yaani, nchi itiririkayo maziwa na asali, nchi nzuri kuliko zote,
Yet I lifted up my hand to them in the desert, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, the beauty 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 despised my laws, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
17 Lakini niliwahurumia wala sikuwaangamiza wala hakuwafuta kabisa jangwani.
Nevertheless mine eye spared them, so that I did not destroy them; neither did I make an end of them in the desert.
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 desert, 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, that they may 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 walked not in my statutes, neither kept they my ordinances to do them, through which the man that doeth them shall live, and they polluted my sabbaths. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, and accomplish mine anger upon them in the desert.
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 held back my hand, and acted for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before 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,
I also lifted up my hand against them in the desert, 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 did not observe mine ordinances, but despised my statutes, and polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after the idols of their fathers.
25 Pia niliwaacha wafuate amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri na sheria ambazo mtu hawezi kuishi kwa hizo sheria.
Moreover I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances by which they should 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 offerings, in that they caused every first-born child to pass through the fire, that I might destroy them, 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 speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Yet in this your fathers dishonored me, and trespassed 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 concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick tree's, and there they offered their sacrifices, and there they presented their provoking oblation, and there they brought their sweet savor, and there they 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.)
Then I said to them, What is the high place to which ye go? And it is called The High Place unto 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 saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers, and do ye commit fornication 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 by offering your gifts, and causing your sons to pass through the fire, —are ye polluted with all your idols even to this day, and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith 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 cometh into your mind shall not come to pass, when ye say, “We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, worshipping 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, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out will I 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.
And I will bring you forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 Nitawaleta katika jangwa la mataifa na huko nitatekeleza hukumu juu yenu uso kwa uso.
And I will bring you into the desert of the nations, and there will I contend with you face to face.
36 Kama nilivyowahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, ndivyo nitakavyowahukumu ninyi, asema Bwana Mwenyezi.
Even as I contended with your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so also will I contend with you, saith 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 them that transgress against me; out of the country where they sojourn will I bring them forth, 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 saith the Lord Jehovah: Go ye, serve ye every one his idols in future also, if ye will not obey me! But pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts and 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 upon my holy mountain, upon the lofty mountain of Israel, there shall all the house of Israel, all that are in the land, serve me; there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all things which ye consecrate to me.
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 forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye have been scattered, and will through you be honored before the eyes 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 bring you into the land of Israel, into the country concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it 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 shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been polluted; and ye shall loathe yourselves for all your evil deeds which 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 deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith 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 against 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 saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will kindle in thee a fire, which shall devour every green tree and every dry tree within thee; the fierce flame shall not be quenched, and all parts from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
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?’”
And I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah, they say of me, “Doth he not speak in parables?”
