Isaya 9
1 Hata hivyo, hapatakuwepo huzuni tena kwa wale waliokuwa katika dhiki. Wakati uliopita aliidhili nchi ya Zabuloni na nchi ya Naftali, lakini katika siku zijazo ataiheshimu Galilaya ya Mataifa, karibu na njia ya bahari, kando ya Yordani:
In earlier times he made the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali of small value, but after that he gave it glory, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 Watu wanaotembea katika giza wameona nuru kuu, wale wanaoishi katika nchi ya uvuli wa mauti, nuru imewazukia.
The people who went in the dark have seen a great light, and for those who were living in the land of the deepest night, the light is shining.
3 Umelikuza taifa, na kuzidisha furaha yao, wanafurahia mbele zako, kama watu wanavyofurahia wakati wa mavuno, kama watu wafurahivyo wagawanyapo nyara.
You have made them very glad, increasing their joy. They are glad before you as men are glad in the time of getting in the grain, or when they make division of the goods taken in war.
4 Kama vile siku ya kushindwa kwa Wamidiani, umevunja nira iliyowalemea, ile gongo mabegani mwao na fimbo yake yeye aliyewaonea.
For by your hand the yoke on his neck and the rod on his back, even the rod of his cruel master, have been broken, as in the day of Midian.
5 Kila kiatu cha askari kilichotumiwa vitani, na kila vazi lililovingirishwa katika damu vitawekwa kwa ajili ya kuchomwa, vitakuwa kuni za kuwasha moto.
For every boot of the man of war with his sounding step, and the clothing rolled in blood, will be for burning, food for the fire.
6 Kwa maana, kwa ajili yetu mtoto amezaliwa, tumepewa mtoto mwanaume, nao utawala utakuwa mabegani mwake. Naye ataitwa Mshauri wa Ajabu, Mungu Mwenye Nguvu, Baba wa Milele, Mfalme wa Amani.
For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace.
7 Kuongezeka kwa utawala wake na amani hakutakuwa na mwisho. Atatawala katika kiti cha enzi cha Daudi na juu ya ufalme wake, akiuthibitisha na kuutegemeza kwa haki na kwa adili, tangu wakati huo na hata milele. Wivu wa Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote utatimiza haya.
Of the increase of his rule and of peace there will be no end, on the seat of David, and in his kingdom; to make it strong, supporting it with wise decision and righteousness, now and for ever. By the fixed purpose of the Lord of armies this will be done.
8 Bwana ametuma ujumbe dhidi ya Yakobo, utamwangukia Israeli.
The Lord has sent a word to Jacob, and it has come on Israel;
9 Watu wote watajua hili: Efraimu na wakazi wa Samaria, wanaosema kwa kiburi na majivuno ya mioyo,
And all the people will have experience of it, even Ephraim and the men of Samaria, who say in the pride of their uplifted hearts,
10 “Matofali yameanguka chini, lakini tutajenga tena kwa mawe yaliyochongwa, mitini imeangushwa, lakini tutapanda mierezi badala yake.”
The bricks have come down, but we will put up buildings of cut stone in their place: the sycamores are cut down, but they will be changed to cedars.
11 Lakini Bwana amemtia nguvu adui wa Resini dhidi yao na kuchochea watesi wao.
For this cause the Lord has made strong the haters of Israel, driving them on to make war against him;
12 Waashuru kutoka upande wa mashariki na Wafilisti kutoka upande wa magharibi wameila Israeli kwa kinywa kilichopanuliwa. Hata kwa haya yote, hasira yake haijageukia mbali, mkono wake bado umeinuliwa juu.
Aram on the east, and the Philistines on the west, who have come against Israel with open mouths. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 Lakini watu hawajamrudia yeye aliyewapiga, wala hawajamtafuta Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote.
But the heart of the people was not turned to him who sent punishment on them, and they made no prayer to the Lord of armies.
14 Kwa hiyo Bwana atakatilia mbali kutoka Israeli kichwa na mkia, tawi la mtende na tete katika siku moja.
For this cause the Lord took away from Israel head and tail, high and low, in one day.
15 Wazee na watu mashuhuri ndio vichwa, nao manabii wanaofundisha uongo ndio mkia.
The man who is honoured and responsible is the head, and the prophet who gives false teaching is the tail.
16 Wale wanaowaongoza watu hawa wanawapotosha, nao wale wanaoongozwa wamepotoka.
For the guides of this people are the cause of their wandering from the right way, and those who are guided by them come to destruction.
17 Kwa hiyo Bwana hatawafurahia vijana, wala hatawahurumia yatima na wajane, kwa kuwa kila mmoja wao hamchi Mungu, nao ni waovu, na kila kinywa kinanena upotovu. Hata kwa haya yote, hasira yake haijageukia mbali, mkono wake bado umeinuliwa juu.
For this cause the Lord will have no pleasure in their young men, and no pity on their widows and the children without fathers: for they are all haters of God and evil-doers, and foolish words come from every mouth. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 Hakika uovu huwaka kama moto; huteketeza michongoma na miiba, huwasha moto vichaka vya msituni, hujiviringisha kuelekea juu kama nguzo ya moshi.
For evil was burning like a fire; the blackberries and thorns were burned up; the thick woods took fire, rolling up in dark clouds of smoke.
19 Kwa hasira ya Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote nchi itachomwa kwa moto, nao watu watakuwa kuni za kuchochea moto. Hakuna mtu atakayemhurumia ndugu yake.
The land was dark with the wrath of the Lord of armies: the people were like those who take men's flesh for food.
20 Upande wa kuume watakuwa wakitafuna, lakini bado wataona njaa; upande wa kushoto watakuwa wakila, lakini hawatashiba. Kila mmoja atajilisha kwa nyama ya mtoto wake mwenyewe:
On the right a man was cutting off bits and was still in need; on the left a man took a meal but had not enough; no man had pity on his brother; every man was making a meal of the flesh of his neighbour.
21 Manase atamla Efraimu, naye Efraimu atamla Manase; nao pamoja watakuwa kinyume na Yuda. Hata kwa haya yote, hasira yake haijageukia mbali, mkono wake bado umeinuliwa juu.
Manasseh was making a meal of Ephraim, and Ephraim of Manasseh; and together they were attacking Judah. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
