< Hosea 4 >

1 Sikieni neno la Bwana, enyi Waisraeli, kwa sababu Bwana analo shtaka dhidi yenu ninyi mnaoishi katika nchi: “Hakuna uaminifu, hakuna upendo, hakuna kumjua Mungu katika nchi.
Hear the LORD’s word, you children of Israel, for the LORD has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
2 Kuna kulaani tu, uongo na uuaji, wizi na uzinzi, bila kuwa na mipaka, nao umwagaji damu mmoja baada ya mwingine.
There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
3 Kwa sababu hii nchi huomboleza, wote waishio ndani mwake wanadhoofika, wanyama wa kondeni, ndege wa angani na samaki wa baharini wanakufa.
Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells in it will waste away, with all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.
4 “Lakini mtu awaye yote na asilete shtaka, mtu yeyote na asimlaumu mwenzake, kwa maana watu wako ni kama wale waletao mashtaka dhidi ya kuhani.
“Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
5 Unajikwaa usiku na mchana, nao manabii hujikwaa pamoja nawe. Kwa hiyo nitamwangamiza mama yako:
You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.
6 watu wangu wanaangamizwa kwa kukosa maarifa, “Kwa kuwa wewe umeyakataa maarifa, mimi nami nitakukataa wewe usiwe kuhani kwangu mimi; kwa kuwa umeacha kuijali sheria ya Mungu wako mimi nami sitawajali watoto wako.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.
7 Kadiri makuhani walivyoongezeka, ndivyo walivyozidi kutenda dhambi dhidi yangu, walibadilisha utukufu wao kwa kitu cha aibu.
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.
8 Hujilisha dhambi za watu wangu na kupendezwa na uovu wao.
They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
9 Hata itakuwa: Kama walivyo watu, ndivyo walivyo makuhani. Nitawaadhibu wote wawili kwa ajili ya njia zao na kuwalipa kwa matendo yao.
It will be like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.
10 “Watakula lakini hawatashiba; watajiingiza katika ukahaba lakini hawataongezeka, kwa sababu wamemwacha Bwana na kujiingiza wenyewe
They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned listening to the LORD.
11 katika ukahaba, divai ya zamani na divai mpya, ambavyo huondoa ufahamu
Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
12 wa watu wangu. Hutaka shauri kutoka kwa sanamu ya mti nao hujibiwa na fimbo ya mti. Roho ya ukahaba imewapotosha, hawana uaminifu kwa Mungu wao.
My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.
13 Wanatoa dhabihu juu ya vilele vya milima na sadaka za kuteketezwa juu ya vilima, chini ya mialoni, milibua na miela, ambako kuna vivuli vizuri. Kwa hiyo binti zenu wamegeukia ukahaba na wake za wana wenu uzinzi.
They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.
14 “Sitawaadhibu binti zenu wakati wanapogeukia ukahaba, wala wake za wana wenu wanapofanya uzinzi, kwa sababu wanaume wenyewe huandamana na malaya na kutambikia pamoja na makahaba wa mahali pa kuabudia miungu: watu wasiokuwa na ufahamu wataangamia!
I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.
15 “Ingawa umefanya uzinzi, ee Israeli, Yuda naye asije akawa na hatia. “Usiende Gilgali, usipande kwenda Beth-Aveni Wala usiape, ‘Hakika kama Bwana aishivyo!’
“Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet do not let Judah offend; and do not come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, ‘As the LORD lives.’
16 Waisraeli ni wakaidi, kama mtamba wa ngʼombe ambaye ni mkaidi. Ni jinsi gani basi Bwana anaweza kuwachunga kama wana-kondoo katika shamba la majani?
For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will the LORD feed them like a lamb in a meadow?
17 Efraimu amejiunga na sanamu, ondokana naye!
Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!
18 Hata wakati wamemaliza vileo vyao wanaendelea na ukahaba wao, watawala wao hupenda sana njia za aibu.
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
19 Kisulisuli kitawafagilia mbali na dhabihu zao zitawaletea aibu.
The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.

< Hosea 4 >