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:
But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of 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. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
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 according to the joy in harvest, 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, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have 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 all the armour of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, 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 a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, 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 shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this.
8 Bwana ametuma ujumbe dhidi ya Yakobo, utamwangukia Israeli.
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it falls on Israel.
9 Watu wote watajua hili: Efraimu na wakazi wa Samaria, wanaosema kwa kiburi na majivuno ya mioyo,
All the people will know, including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of 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 build with cut stone. The sycamore fig trees 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 the LORD will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, 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 Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 Lakini watu hawajamrudia yeye aliyewapiga, wala hawajamtafuta Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote.
Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, neither have they sought the LORD of Hosts.
14 Kwa hiyo Bwana atakatilia mbali kutoka Israeli kichwa na mkia, tawi la mtende na tete katika siku moja.
Therefore the LORD 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 elder and the honourable man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16 Wale wanaowaongoza watu hawa wanawapotosha, nao wale wanaoongozwa wamepotoka.
For those who lead this people lead them astray; and those who are led by them are destroyed.
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, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is profane and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger 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 wickedness burns like a fire. It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward 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 LORD of Hosts’ wrath, the land is burnt up; and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one 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:
One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. Everyone will 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 eating Ephraim and Ephraim eating Manasseh, and they together will be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
