Hosea 13
1 Wakati Efraimu alipozungumza, watu walitetemeka, alikuwa ametukuzwa katika Israeli. Lakini alikuwa na hatia ya kumwabudu Baali naye akafa.
When Ephraim used to speak there was trembling; a prince was he in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal and died.
2 Sasa wanatenda dhambi zaidi na zaidi; wanajitengenezea sanamu kutokana na fedha yao, vinyago vilivyotengenezwa kwa uhodari, vyote kazi ya fundi stadi. Inasemekana kuhusu hawa watu, “Hutoa dhabihu za binadamu na kubusu sanamu za ndama.”
And now they go on sinning. They make for themselves molten gods – idols of silver, skillfully made, wholly the work of smiths. Yet to such they sacrifice! And they who sacrifice kiss calf idols!
3 Kwa hiyo watakuwa kama ukungu wa asubuhi, kama umande wa alfajiri utowekao, kama makapi yapeperushwayo kutoka sakafu ya kupuria nafaka, kama moshi utorokao kupitia dirishani.
Therefore they shall be like the morning mist, like the dew that early disappears, like the chaff which blows away from the threshing floor, like the smoke from the window.
4 “Bali mimi ndimi Bwana Mungu wenu, niliyewaleta ninyi toka Misri. Msimkubali Mungu mwingine ila mimi, hakuna Mwokozi isipokuwa mimi.
Yet it was I, the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt, you know no other god but me, nor has there been any savior except me.
5 Niliwatunza huko jangwani, katika nchi yenye joto liunguzalo.
It was I who shepherded you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat.
6 Nilipowalisha, walishiba, waliposhiba, wakajivuna, kisha wakanisahau mimi.
When they were pastured they became full, when they were full their hearts became proud. Therefore they forgot me!
7 Kwa hiyo nitakuja juu yao kama simba, kama chui nitawavizia kando ya njia.
So now I will be to them like a lion, like a leopard will I lay in wait by the path.
8 Kama dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, nitawashambulia na kurarua vifua vyenu. Kama simba nitawala; mnyama pori atawararua vipande vipande.
I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will tear open their chests, like a lion will devour them, and like a wild beast will tear them in pieces.
9 “Ee Israeli, umeangamizwa, kwa sababu wewe u kinyume nami, kinyume na msaidizi wako.
You are destroyed, Israel, by me, your only helper.
10 Yuko wapi mfalme wako, ili apate kukuokoa? Wako wapi watawala wako katika miji yako yote ambao ulisema kuwahusu, ‘Nipe mfalme na wakuu’?
I want to rule you! Where are your princes in your cities, those of whom you demanded, “Give me kings and princes.”
11 Hivyo katika hasira yangu nilikupa mfalme na katika ghadhabu yangu nilimwondoa.
I give you kings in my anger, and take them away in my wrath.
12 Kosa la Efraimu limehifadhiwa, dhambi zake zimewekwa katika kumbukumbu.
Ephrahn’s iniquity is gathered up, his sin is laid by in store.
13 Utungu kama wa mwanamke anayejifungua mtoto humjia, lakini yeye ni mtoto asiyekuwa na hekima; wakati utakapowadia hatatoka katika tumbo la mama yake.
The pangs of childbirth come upon him, but he is an unwise child. For this is no time to refuse to leave the womb!
14 “Nitawakomboa watu hawa kutoka nguvu za kaburi, nitawakomboa kutoka mautini. Yako wapi, ee mauti, mateso yako? Uko wapi, ee kuzimu, uharibifu wako? “Sitakuwa na huruma, (Sheol h7585)
Should I deliver them from the power of Sheol? Should I redeem them from death? Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your pestilence? Compassion is forever hidden from my eyes. (Sheol h7585)
15 hata ingawa Efraimu atastawi miongoni mwa ndugu zake. Upepo wa mashariki kutoka kwa Bwana utakuja, ukivuma kutoka jangwani, chemchemi yake haitatoa maji na kisima chake kitakauka. Ghala lake litatekwa hazina zake zote.
Though he is flourishing among his brothers, there will come an east wind, the Lord’s wind, coming up from the wilderness. His fountain will dry up, his spring shall be parched. The wind will strip the treasury, all the precious things.
16 Watu wa Samaria ni lazima wabebe hatia yao, kwa sababu wameasi dhidi ya Mungu wao. Wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wadogo watatupwa kwa nguvu ardhini, wanawake wao walio na mimba watatumbuliwa.”
Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their children dashed to pieces, their pregnant women ripped open.
