< Ezekieli 9 >
1 Kisha nikamsikia akiita kwa sauti kubwa akisema, “Walete wasimamizi wa mji hapa, kila mmoja akiwa na silaha mkononi mwake.”
And he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying: The visitations of the city are at hand, and every one hath a destroying weapon in his hand.
2 Nami nikaona watu sita wakija toka upande wa lango la juu, linalotazama kaskazini kila mmoja na silaha za kuangamiza mkononi mwake. Pamoja nao alikuwepo mtu aliyekuwa amevaa mavazi ya kitani safi, naye alikuwa na vifaa vya mwandishi akiwa amevishikilia upande mmoja. Wakaingia ndani ya Hekalu wakasimama pembeni mwa madhabahu ya shaba.
And behold six men came from the way of the upper gate, which looketh to the north: and each one had his weapon of destruction in his hand: and there was one man in the midst of them clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn at his reins: and they went in, and stood by the brazen altar.
3 Basi utukufu wa Mungu wa Israeli ukaondoka hapo juu ya makerubi, ulikokuwa umekaa, ukaenda kwenye kizingiti cha Hekalu. Ndipo Bwana akamwita yule mtu aliyevaa kitani safi aliyekuwa na vifaa vya mwandishi akiwa amevishikilia upande wake mmoja,
And the glory of the Lord of Israel went up from the cherub, upon which he was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man that was clothed with linen, and had a writer’s inkhorn at his loins.
4 akamwambia, “Pita katika mji wote wa Yerusalemu ukaweke alama juu ya vipaji vya nyuso za wale watu wanaohuzunika na kuomboleza kwa sababu ya machukizo yote yanayotendeka katika mji huu.”
And the Lord said to him: Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem: and mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are committed in the midst thereof.
5 Nikiwa ninasikia, akawaambia wale wengine, “Mfuateni anapopita katika mji wote mkiua, pasipo huruma wala masikitiko.
And to the others he said in my hearing: Go ye after him through the city, and strike: let not your eyes spare, nor be ye moved with pity.
6 Waueni wazee, vijana wa kiume na wa kike, wanawake na watoto, lakini msimguse mtu yeyote mwenye alama. Anzieni katika mahali pangu patakatifu.” Kwa hiyo wakaanza na wale wazee waliokuwa mbele ya Hekalu.
Utterly destroy old and young, maidens, children and women: but upon whomsoever you shall see Thau, kill him not, and begin ye at my sanctuary. So they began at the ancient men who mere before the house.
7 Ndipo akawaambia, “Linajisini Hekalu na mkazijaze kumbi zake maiti za wale waliouawa. Nendeni!” Kwa hiyo wakaenda wakaanza kuua watu mjini kote.
And he said to them: Defile the house, and ill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew them that were in the city.
8 Wakati walikuwa wakiwaua watu, nami nilikuwa nimeachwa peke yangu, nikaanguka kifudifudi, nikapiga kelele nikisema, “Ee Bwana Mwenyezi! Je, utaangamiza mabaki yote ya Israeli, katika kumwagwa huku kwa ghadhabu yako juu ya Yerusalemu?”
And the slaughter being ended I was left: and I fell upon my face, and crying, I said: Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God, wilt thou then destroy all the remnant of Israel, by pouring out thy fury upon Jerusalem?
9 Bwana akanijibu, “Dhambi ya nyumba ya Israeli na Yuda imekuwa kubwa mno kupita kiasi, nchi imejaa umwagaji damu na mjini kumejaa udhalimu. Kwani wamesema, ‘Bwana ameiacha nchi, Bwana hauoni.’
And he said to me: The iniquity of the house of Israel, and of Juda, is exceeding great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is filled with perverseness: for they have said: The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.
10 Kwa hiyo sitawahurumia wala kuwaachilia lakini nitaleta juu ya vichwa vyao, yale waliyoyatenda.”
Therefore neither shall my eye spare, nor will I have pity: I will requite their way upon their head.
11 Ndipo mtu yule aliyekuwa amevaa nguo ya kitani safi na vifaa vya mwandishi akiwa amevishikilia upande wake mmoja, akarudi na kutoa taarifa akisema, “Nimefanya kama ulivyoniagiza.”
And behold the man that was clothed with linen, that had the inkhorn at his back, returned the word, saying: I have done as thou hast commanded me.