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 word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no 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.
Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.
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 mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.
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.
But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
5 Unajikwaa usiku na mchana, nao manabii hujikwaa pamoja nawe. Kwa hiyo nitamwangamiza mama yako:
You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so 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 as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
7 Kadiri makuhani walivyoongezeka, ndivyo walivyozidi kutenda dhambi dhidi yangu, walibadilisha utukufu wao kwa kitu cha aibu.
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.
8 Hujilisha dhambi za watu wangu na kupendezwa na uovu wao.
They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.
9 Hata itakuwa: Kama walivyo watu, ndivyo walivyo makuhani. Nitawaadhibu wote wawili kwa ajili ya njia zao na kuwalipa kwa matendo yao.
And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10 “Watakula lakini hawatashiba; watajiingiza katika ukahaba lakini hawataongezeka, kwa sababu wamemwacha Bwana na kujiingiza wenyewe
They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have stopped obeying the LORD.
11 katika ukahaba, divai ya zamani na divai mpya, ambavyo huondoa ufahamu
Promiscuity, 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 their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against 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 mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to 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 prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a 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 prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely 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 is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open 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.
When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
19 Kisulisuli kitawafagilia mbali na dhabihu zao zitawaletea aibu.
The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.
