Hosea 11
1 “Wakati Israeli alipokuwa mtoto, nilimpenda, nilimwita mwanangu kutoka Misri.
When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.
2 Lakini kadiri nilivyomwita Israeli, ndivyo walivyokwenda mbali nami. Walitoa dhabihu kwa Mabaali na kufukiza uvumba kwa vinyago.
When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.
3 Mimi ndiye niliyemfundisha Efraimu kutembea, nikiwashika mikono; lakini hawakutambua kuwa ni mimi niliyewaponya.
But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.
4 Niliwaongoza kwa kamba za huruma ya kibinadamu, kwa vifungo vya upendo; niliondoa nira shingoni mwao nami nikainama kuwalisha.
I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.
5 “Je, hawatarudi Misri, nayo Ashuru haitawatawala kwa sababu wamekataa kutubu?
He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.
6 Panga zitametameta katika miji yao, zitaharibu makomeo ya malango yao na kukomesha mipango yao.
And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.
7 Watu wangu wamedhamiria kuniacha. Hata kama wakimwita Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, kwa vyovyote hatawainua.
My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.
8 “Efraimu, ninawezaje kukuacha? Ee Israeli, ninawezaje kukutoa? Nitawezaje kukutendea kama Adma? Nitawezaje kukufanya kama Seboimu? Moyo wangu umegeuka ndani yangu, huruma zangu zote zimeamshwa.
How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.
9 Sitatimiza hasira yangu kali, wala sitageuka na kumharibu Efraimu. Kwa kuwa mimi ndimi Mungu, wala si mwanadamu, Aliye Mtakatifu miongoni mwenu. Sitakuja kwa ghadhabu.
I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.
10 Watamfuata Bwana; atanguruma kama simba. Wakati angurumapo, watoto wake watakuja wakitetemeka kutoka magharibi.
They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;
11 Watakuja wakitetemeka kama ndege wakitoka Misri, kama hua wakitoka Ashuru. Nitawakalisha katika nyumba zao,” asema Bwana.
Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.
12 Efraimu amenizunguka kwa uongo, nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu. Naye Yuda ni mkaidi dhidi ya Mungu, hata kinyume cha yule mwaminifu Aliye Mtakatifu.
The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...
