Isaya 57
1 Mwenye haki hupotea, wala hakuna hata mmoja awazaye hilo moyoni mwake; watu wanaomcha Mungu huondolewa, wala hakuna hata mmoja anayeelewa kuwa wenye haki wameondolewa ili wasipatikane na maovu.
Good people die, and nobody cares; the faithful pass away, and nobody thinks that they were being protected from evil.
2 Wale waendao kwa unyofu huwa na amani; hupata pumziko walalapo mautini.
Those who follow what's right rest in peace; they find rest as they lie down in death.
3 “Lakini ninyi: Njooni hapa, ninyi wana wa wachawi, ninyi wazao wa wazinzi na makahaba!
But as for you, children of fortune-tellers, the product of adultery and prostitution—come here!
4 Mnamdhihaki nani? Ni nani mnayemcheka kwa dharau, na kumtolea ndimi zenu? Je, ninyi si watoto wa waasi, uzao wa waongo?
Who are you making fun of when you make sneering faces and stick out your tongues? Aren't you the children of sin and lies?
5 Mnawaka tamaa katikati ya mialoni na chini ya kila mti uliotanda matawi; mnawatoa kafara watoto wenu kwenye mabonde na chini ya majabali yenye mianya.
You're the ones having pagan orgies under the oak trees, under every green tree. You sacrifice your children in the valleys and among the rocky peaks.
6 “Sanamu zilizo katikati ya mawe laini ya mabondeni ndizo fungu lenu; hizo ndizo sehemu yenu. Naam, kwa hizo mmemimina sadaka za vinywaji, na kutoa sadaka za nafaka. Katika haya yote, niendelee kuona huruma?
You have chosen to worship the smooth stones from the streams of the valleys—that's the choice you've made! You have poured out drink offerings to these idols—you have presented them with grain offerings. Should that make me happy?
7 Umeweka kitanda chako juu kwenye kilima kirefu kilichoinuka, huko ulikwenda kutoa dhabihu zako.
You have committed adultery by idol worship on every high mountain; you went there to offer pagan sacrifices.
8 Nyuma ya milango yako na miimo yako umeweka alama zako za kipagani. Kwa kuniacha mimi, ulifunua kitanda chako, umepanda juu yake na kukipanua sana; ulifanya patano na wale ambao unapenda vitanda vyao, nawe uliangalia uchi wao.
You've placed your pagan signs behind your doors and on your doorposts. Deserting me, you took off your clothes and climbed into bed, committing yourselves to those you love to be in bed with. You've seen them naked.
9 Ulikwenda kwa Moleki ukiwa na mafuta ya zeituni, na ukaongeza manukato yako. Ukawatuma wajumbe wako mbali sana, ukashuka kwenye kaburi lenyewe! (Sheol h7585)
You went to offer Molech olive oil, covering yourself with many perfumes. You sent your messengers to distant places; you even went down into the world of the dead. (Sheol h7585)
10 Ulikuwa umechoshwa na njia zako zote, lakini hukusema, ‘Hakuna tumaini.’ Ulipata uhuisho wa nguvu zako, kwa sababu hiyo hukuzimia.
You wore yourselves out by such running around, but you didn't give up and say, “It's hopeless!” You found new strength and so didn't become weak.
11 “Ni nani uliyemhofu hivyo na kumwogopa hata ukawa mwongo kwangu, wala hukunikumbuka au kutafakari hili moyoni mwako? Si ni kwa sababu nimekuwa kimya muda mrefu hata huniogopi?
Who were you scared of, who frightened you so much that you lied to me, didn't remember me, didn't even think about me? Is it because I've been quiet for so long that you don't even fear me?
12 Nitaifunua haki yako na matendo yako, nayo hayatakufaidi.
I'm going to let everyone know about how you're so good and the things you do—but they won't help you!
13 Utakapolia kwa kuhitaji msaada, sanamu zako ulizojikusanyia na zikuokoe! Upepo utazipeperusha zote, pumzi peke yake itazipeperusha, Lakini mtu atakayenifanya kimbilio lake, atairithi nchi na kuumiliki mlima wangu mtakatifu.”
When you cry out for help, let's see if your collection of idols will save you! The wind will blow them all away, just a breath and they're gone! But whoever comes to me for help will own the land and possess my holy mountain.
14 Tena itasemwa: “Jengeni, jengeni, itengenezeni njia! Ondoeni vikwazo katika njia ya watu wangu.”
He will say, Build a highway, remove anything that's in the way of my people.
15 Kwa maana hili ndilo asemalo Aliye juu, yeye aliyeinuliwa sana, yeye aishiye milele, ambaye jina lake ni Mtakatifu: “Ninaishi mimi mahali palipoinuka na patakatifu, lakini pia pamoja na yeye aliye na roho iliyotubu na mwenye roho ya unyenyekevu, ili kuzihuisha roho za wanyenyekevu na kuihuisha mioyo yao waliotubu.
This is what the one who is high above all says, he who lives in eternity, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, together with those who repent and who act humbly, restoring their spirits and encouraging them.
16 Sitaendelea kulaumu milele, wala sitakasirika siku zote, kwa kuwa roho ya mwanadamu ingezimia mbele zangu: yaani pumzi ya mwanadamu niliyemuumba.
I won't fight with you forever; I won't be angry with you forever. Otherwise you'd lose heart, the very people I gave life to.
17 Nilighadhibika na tamaa yake ya dhambi; nilimwadhibu, nikauficha uso wangu kwa hasira, na bado aliendelea katika njia zake za tamaa.
Yes, I was angry with these sinful, greedy people so I punished them. I was angry, so I hid myself from them, but they went on their own rebellious way, doing whatever they wanted.
18 Nimeziona njia zake, lakini nitamponya, nitamwongoza na kumrudishia upya faraja,
I know what they're doing, but I will heal them. I will lead them and comfort those who mourn,
19 nikiumba sifa midomoni ya waombolezaji katika Israeli. Amani, amani, kwa wale walio mbali na kwa wale walio karibu,” asema Bwana. “Nami nitawaponya.”
so they will able to say thankyou. The Lord declares, Peace, peace, to those who are far away and those who are near. I will heal you.
20 Bali waovu ni kama bahari ichafukayo, ambayo haiwezi kutulia, mawimbi yake hutupa takataka na matope.
But the wicked are like the sea that is tossed about, never keeping still, churning up the mud and muck with its waves.
21 Mungu wangu asema, “Hakuna amani kwa waovu.”
There's no peace for the wicked, says my God.
