Hosea 7
1 kila mara nilipotaka kumponya Israeli, dhambi za Efraimu zinafichuliwa na maovu ya Samaria yanafunuliwa. Wanafanya udanganyifu, wevi huvunja nyumba, maharamia hunyangʼanya barabarani,
When I was about to deliver my people from captivity, When I would have healed Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, And the wickedness of Samaria; For they practise fraud, And the thief entereth in, And the band of robbers spoileth without.
2 lakini hawafahamu kwamba ninakumbuka matendo yao yote mabaya. Dhambi zao zimewameza, ziko mbele zangu siku zote.
And they think not in their hearts, That I remember all their wickedness. Now shall their doings encompass them; They are before my face.
3 “Wanamfurahisha sana mfalme kwa maovu yao, wakuu wao kwa uongo wao.
With their wickedness they gladden the king, And with their falsehoods the princes; All of them are adulterers;
4 Wote ni wazinzi, wanawaka kama tanuru ambayo moto wake mwokaji hana haja ya kuuchochea kuanzia kukanda unga hadi umekwisha kuumuka.
They are as an oven heated by the baker; He ceaseth to stir the fire, Until the dough which he hath kneaded be leavened.
5 Katika sikukuu ya mfalme wetu wakuu wanawaka kwa mvinyo, naye anawaunga mkono wenye mizaha.
On the feast-day of our king, the princes are sick with the heat of wine, And he stretcheth out his hand with revilers.
6 Mioyo yao ni kama tanuru, wanamwendea kwa hila. Hasira yao inafoka moshi usiku kucha, wakati wa asubuhi inalipuka kama miali ya moto.
For they make ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait; All night the baker sleepeth; In the morning it gloweth like a flaming fire.
7 Wote ni moto kama tanuru; wanawaangamiza watawala wao. Wafalme wake wote wanaanguka, wala hakuna yeyote kati yao aniitaye mimi.
They all glow as an oven; They have devoured their judges; All their kings have fallen; And none among them calleth upon me.
8 “Efraimu anajichanganya na mataifa; Efraimu ni mkate ambao haukuiva.
Ephraim hath mixed himself with the nations; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9 Wageni wananyonya nguvu zake, lakini hafahamu hilo. Nywele zake zina mvi hapa na pale, lakini hana habari.
Strangers have devoured his strength, And he knoweth it not; Yea, gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, Yet he knoweth it not.
10 Kiburi cha Israeli kinashuhudia dhidi yake, lakini pamoja na haya yote harudi kwa Bwana Mungu wake wala kumtafuta.
The pride of Israel testifieth to his face; Yet do not they return to Jehovah their God, Nor seek him, for all this.
11 “Efraimu ni kama hua, hudanganywa kwa urahisi na hana akili: mara anaita Misri, mara anageukia Ashuru.
Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding; They call upon Egypt; they go to Assyria.
12 Wakati watakapokwenda, nitatupa wavu wangu juu yao; nitawavuta chini waanguke kama ndege wa angani. Nitakaposikia wakikusanyika pamoja, nitawanasa.
When they go, I will spread my net over them; As birds of heaven will I bring them down. I will chastise them, as hath been proclaimed in their congregation.
13 Ole wao, kwa sababu wamepotoka kutoka kwangu! Maangamizi ni yao kwa sababu wameniasi! Ninatamani kuwakomboa, lakini wanasema uongo dhidi yangu.
Woe to them, for they have wandered from me! Destruction upon them, for they have rebelled against me! Though I myself would redeem them, they speak falsely to me.
14 Hawanililii mimi kutoka mioyoni mwao, bali wanaomboleza vitandani mwao. Hukusanyika pamoja kwa ajili ya nafaka na divai mpya, lakini hugeukia mbali nami.
They cry not to me from their heart, But howl upon their beds; For corn and wine they assemble themselves; They rebel against me.
15 Niliwafundisha na kuwatia nguvu, lakini wanapanga mabaya dhidi yangu.
I have chastened them; I have also strengthened their arms; Yet do they devise evil against me.
16 Hawamgeukii Yeye Aliye Juu Sana, wako kama upinde wenye kasoro. Viongozi wao wataanguka kwa upanga kwa sababu ya maneno yao ya jeuri. Kwa ajili ya hili watadhihakiwa katika nchi ya Misri.
They return, but not to the Most High; They are like a deceitful bow; Their princes shall fall by the sword for the haughtiness of their tongues; This shall be their reproach in the land of Egypt.
