Hosea 12
1 Efraimu anajilisha upepo; hufukuzia upepo wa mashariki kutwa nzima na kuzidisha uongo na jeuri. Anafanya mkataba na Ashuru na kutuma mafuta ya zeituni Misri.
Ephraim herds the wind and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud, make a treaty with Assyria, and sends tribute of olive oil to Egypt.
2 Bwana analo shtaka dhidi ya Yuda, atamwadhibu Yakobo kwa kadiri ya njia zake na kumlipa kwa kadiri ya matendo yake.
The Lord has a charge to bring against Israel, to punish Jacob for his acts, according to his deeds will he requite him,
3 Yakobo akiwa tumboni alishika kisigino cha kaka yake; kama mwanadamu, alishindana na Mungu.
In the womb he supplanted his brother, in manhood he wrestled with God,
4 Alishindana na malaika na kumshinda; alilia na kuomba upendeleo wake. Alimkuta huko Betheli na kuzungumza naye huko:
He wrestled with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his blessing. At Bethel the Lord found him, and there he spoke with us.
5 Bwana Mungu Mwenye Nguvu Zote, Bwana ndilo jina lake!
And the Lord is the God of hosts, the Lord is his name!
6 Lakini ni lazima urudi kwa Mungu wako; dumisha upendo na haki, nawe umngojee Mungu wako siku zote.
So now, by the help of your God, return. Keep true love and justice. Trust in your God without ceasing.
7 Mfanyabiashara hutumia vipimo vya udanganyifu; hupenda kupunja.
A merchant uses false scales: They love to defraud.
8 Efraimu hujisifu akisema, “Mimi ni tajiri sana; nimetajirika. Pamoja na utajiri wangu wote hawatakuta ndani yangu uovu wowote au dhambi.”
Ephraim says, “Yes, I have become rich, I have secured wealth for myself. But despite my gains no one will find a crime I can be convicted of!”
9 “Mimi ndimi Bwana Mungu wenu niliyewaleta kutoka Misri; nitawafanya mkae tena kwenye mahema, kama vile katika siku za sikukuu zenu zilizoamriwa.
I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you again dwell in tents, as in days of old.
10 Niliongea na manabii, nikawapa maono mengi na kusema mifano kupitia wao.”
I spoke continually by the prophets. It was I who multiplied visions, and spoke in parables through the prophets.
11 Je, Gileadi si mwovu? Watu wake hawafai kitu! Je, hawatoi dhabihu za mafahali huko Gilgali? Madhabahu zao zitakuwa kama malundo ya mawe katika shamba lililolimwa.
In Gilead is iniquity, they will come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be as stone heaps, among the furrows of the field.
12 Yakobo alikimbilia katika nchi ya Aramu; Israeli alitumika ili apate mke, ili aweze kulipa kwa ajili yake alichunga kondoo.
And Jacob fled to the territory of Aram, and Israel worked to earn a wife: for a wife he herded sheep.
13 Bwana alimtumia nabii kumpandisha Israeli kutoka Misri, kwa njia ya nabii alimtunza.
The Lord brought Israel up from Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet Israel was guarded.
14 Lakini Efraimu amemchochea sana hasira; Bwana wake ataleta juu yake hatia yake ya kumwaga damu naye atamlipiza kwa ajili ya dharau yake.
Ephraim has given bitter provocation. His Lord will leave upon him his guilt of bloodshed, and for his contempt he will repay him.
