Mwanzo 39
1 Wakati huu Yosefu alikuwa amechukuliwa mpaka Misri. Mmisri aliyeitwa Potifa aliyekuwa mmojawapo wa maafisa wa Farao, mkuu wa ulinzi, akamnunua Yosefu kutoka kwa Waishmaeli waliomleta Misri.
And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was brought.
2 Bwana alikuwa pamoja na Yosefu, naye akastawi, Yosefu akaishi nyumbani kwa bwana wake Mmisri.
And the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man in all things: and he dwelt in his master’s house,
3 Potifa alipoona kuwa Bwana alikuwa pamoja na Yosefu na kwamba Bwana alimfanikisha kwa kila kitu alichokifanya,
Who knew very well that the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 Yosefu alipata kibali machoni pa Potifa, akamfanya mhudumu wake. Potifa akamweka kuwa msimamizi wa nyumba yake, naye akamkabidhi kuwa mwangalizi wa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho.
And Joseph found favour in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all things that were delivered to him:
5 Kuanzia wakati huo Potifa alipomweka Yosefu kuwa msimamizi wa nyumba na mali zake zote alizokuwa nazo, Bwana aliibariki nyumba ya Mmisri huyo kwa sababu ya Yosefu. Baraka ya Bwana ilikuwa juu ya kila kitu alichokuwa nacho Potifa, nyumbani na shambani.
And the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph’s sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home, and in the fields.
6 Kwa hiyo Potifa akamwachia Yosefu uangalizi wa kila kitu alichokuwa nacho, Yosefu alipokuwa katika uongozi, Potifa hakuwa na sababu ya kujishughulisha na kitu chochote isipokuwa chakula alichokula. Yosefu alikuwa mwenye umbo zuri na sura ya kuvutia;
Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. And Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.
7 baada ya kitambo mke wa Potifa akamtamani Yosefu, akamwambia, “Njoo, ukutane nami kimwili!”
And after many days his mistress cast her eyes on Joseph, and said: Lie with me.
8 Lakini Yosefu akakataa. Akamwambia yule mwanamke, “Mimi nikiwa katika uongozi, bwana wangu hahusiki na kitu chochote katika nyumba hii, kila kitu alicho nacho amenikabidhi.
But he, in no wise consenting to that wicked act, said to her: Behold, my master hath delivered all things to me, and knoweth not what he hath in his own house:
9 Hapa nyumbani hakuna aliye mkuu kuliko mimi. Bwana wangu hakunizuilia kitu chochote isipokuwa wewe, kwa kuwa wewe ni mke wake. Nitawezaje basi kufanya uovu huu na kutenda dhambi dhidi ya Mungu?”
Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife: how then can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?
10 Ingawa yule mwanamke aliendelea kumshawishi Yosefu siku baada ya siku, Yosefu alikataa kukutana naye kimwili wala kukaa karibu naye.
With such words as these day by day, both the woman was importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.
11 Siku moja Yosefu akaingia ndani ya nyumba kufanya kazi zake, wala hapakuwepo na mfanyakazi yeyote ndani ya nyumba.
Now it happened on a certain day, that Joseph went into the house, and was doing some business without any, man with him:
12 Mke wa Potifa akashika vazi Yosefu alilokuwa amevaa, akamwambia, “Njoo tukutane kimwili!” Lakini Yosefu akaacha vazi lake mkononi mwa huyo mwanamke, akatoka nje ya nyumba akikimbia.
And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.
13 Yule mwanamke alipoona kwamba Yosefu amemwachia vazi lake mkononi na kukimbilia nje ya nyumba,
And when the woman saw the garment in her hands, and herself disregarded,
14 akawaita watumishi wake wa nyumbani, akawaambia, “Tazameni! Huyu Mwebrania ameletwa hapa kutudhihaki! Aliingia hapa ndani ili akutane nami kimwili, lakini nikapiga kelele.
She called to her the men of her house, and said to them: See, he hath brought in a Hebrew, to abuse us: he came in to me, to lie with me: and when I cried out,
15 Aliposikia kelele za kuomba msaada, akaacha vazi lake kando yangu akakimbilia nje.”
And he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got him out.
16 Yule mwanamke akaliweka lile vazi karibu naye mpaka Potifa aliporudi nyumbani.
For a proof therefore of her fidelity, she kept the garment, and shewed it to her husband when he returned home:
17 Ndipo akamweleza kisa hiki, akisema: “Yule mtumwa wa Kiebrania uliyetuletea alinijia ili kunidhihaki.
And said: The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought, came to me to abuse me.
18 Lakini mara nilipopiga kelele kuomba msaada, akaliacha vazi lake kando yangu akakimbia nje ya nyumba.”
And when he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and fled out.
19 Potifa aliposikia kisa hiki mkewe alichomweleza, akisema, “Hivi ndivyo mtumwa wako alivyonitenda.” Hasira ya Potifa ikawaka.
His master hearing these things, and giving too much credit to his wife’s words, was very angry.
20 Potifa akamchukua Yosefu na kumweka gerezani, mahali ambapo wahalifu wa mfalme walikuwa wamefungwa. Lakini wakati Yosefu alipokuwa huko gerezani,
And cast Joseph into the prison, where the king’s prisoners were kept, and he was there shut up.
21 Bwana alikuwa pamoja naye, akamhurumia na kumpa kibali mbele ya msimamizi wa gereza.
But the Lord was with Joseph and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:
22 Kwa hiyo msimamizi wa gereza akamweka Yosefu awe mkuu wa wafungwa pamoja na kusimamia yote ambayo yalitendeka mle gerezani.
Who delivered into his hand all the prisoners that were kept in custody: and whatsoever was done was under him.
23 Msimamizi wa gereza hakujishughulisha tena na kitu chochote kilichokuwa chini ya uangalizi wa Yosefu, kwa sababu Bwana alikuwa pamoja na Yosefu akimfanikisha kwa kila alichofanya.
Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper.
