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:
The gloom will be dispelled from her who was in anguish. In an earlier time he humiliated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the later time he will make it glorious, the way to the sea, beyond the 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 walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who have lived in the land of the shadow of death, the light has shone on them.
3 Umelikuza taifa, na kuzidisha furaha yao, wanafurahia mbele zako, kama watu wanavyofurahia wakati wa mavuno, kama watu wafurahivyo wagawanyapo nyara.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased their joy. They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest time, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.
4 Kama vile siku ya kushindwa kwa Wamidiani, umevunja nira iliyowalemea, ile gongo mabegani mwao na fimbo yake yeye aliyewaonea.
For the yoke of his burden, the beam across his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have shattered as on 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 treading in the tumult and the garments rolled in blood will be burned, fuel 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 been born, to us a son has been given; and the rule will be on his shoulder; and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 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 government and of peace there will be no end, as he rules on the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it and sustain it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and for evermore. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this.
8 Bwana ametuma ujumbe dhidi ya Yakobo, utamwangukia Israeli.
The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel.
9 Watu wote watajua hili: Efraimu na wakazi wa Samaria, wanaosema kwa kiburi na majivuno ya mioyo,
All the people will know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and with an arrogant heart,
10 “Matofali yameanguka chini, lakini tutajenga tena kwa mawe yaliyochongwa, mitini imeangushwa, lakini tutapanda mierezi badala yake.”
“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with chiseled stone; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.”
11 Lakini Bwana amemtia nguvu adui wa Resini dhidi yao na kuchochea watesi wao.
Therefore Yahweh will raise up against him Rezin, his adversary, and will stir up his enemies,
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.
the Arameans on the east, and the Philistines on the west. They will devour Israel with open mouth. In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out.
13 Lakini watu hawajamrudia yeye aliyewapiga, wala hawajamtafuta Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote.
Yet the people will not turn to him who struck them, nor will they seek Yahweh of hosts.
14 Kwa hiyo Bwana atakatilia mbali kutoka Israeli kichwa na mkia, tawi la mtende na tete katika siku moja.
Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.
15 Wazee na watu mashuhuri ndio vichwa, nao manabii wanaofundisha uongo ndio mkia.
The leader and the noble man are the head; and the prophet that teaches lies is the tail.
16 Wale wanaowaongoza watu hawa wanawapotosha, nao wale wanaoongozwa wamepotoka.
Those who lead this people lead them astray, and those who are led by them are swallowed up.
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.
Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men nor will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows, since every one is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks foolish things. In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out.
18 Hakika uovu huwaka kama moto; huteketeza michongoma na miiba, huwasha moto vichaka vya msituni, hujiviringisha kuelekea juu kama nguzo ya moshi.
Wickedness burns like a fire; it devours the briers and thorns; it even burns the thickets of the forest, which rise in a column 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.
Through the fury of Yahweh of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire. No man spares his brother.
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:
They will grab food on the right hand but still be hungry; they will eat food on the left hand but will not be satisfied. Each will even eat the flesh of his own arm.
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 will devour Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together will attack Judah. In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out.
