Waamuzi 12
1 Watu wa Efraimu wakaita majeshi yao, wakavuka kwenda Zafoni, wakamwambia Yefta, “Kwa nini mmekwenda kupigana na Waamoni bila kutuita ili twende pamoja nawe? Basi tutaichoma moto nyumba yako, pamoja nawe ukiwa ndani yake.”
But behold there arose a sedition in Ephraim. And passing towards the north, they said to Jephte: When thou wentest to fight against the children of Ammon, why wouldst thou not call us, that we might go with thee? Therefore we will burn thy house.
2 Yefta akajibu, “Mimi na watu wangu tulikuwa na ugomvi mkubwa na Waamoni, hata ingawa niliwaita hamkuniokoa katika mkono wao.
And he answered them: I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon: and I called you to assist me, and you would not do it.
3 Nilipoona kuwa hamkunipa msaada nikauhatarisha uhai wangu na nikavuka kupigana na Waamoni. Naye Bwana akanipatia ushindi dhidi yao. Sasa kwa nini mnanijia leo ili kupigana nami?”
And when I saw this, I put my life in my own hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the Lord delivered them into my hands. What have I deserved, that you should rise up to fight against me?
4 Ndipo Yefta akakusanya watu wa Gileadi pamoja na kupigana na Efraimu. Wagileadi wakawashinda Efraimu, kwa kuwa Waefraimu walisema, “Ninyi Wagileadi ni watoro mliotoroka toka Efraimu na Manase.”
Then calling to him all the men of Galaad, he fought against Ephraim: and the men of Galaad defeated Ephraim, because he had said: Galaad is a fugitive of Ephraim, and dwelleth in the midst of Ephraim and Manasses.
5 Wagileadi wakaviteka vivuko vya Yordani dhidi ya hao Waefraimu, kisha ilikuwa yeyote yule aliyenusurika katika Efraimu aliposema, “Niache nivuke,” hao watu wa Gileadi walimuuliza, “Je wewe ni Mwefraimu?” Kama alijibu “Hapana,”
And the Galaadites secured the fords of the Jordan, by which Ephraim was to return. And when any one of the number of Ephraim came thither in the flight, and said: I beseech you let me pass: the Galaadites said to him: Art thou not an Ephraimite? If he said: I am not:
6 walimwambia, “Sawa, sema ‘Shibolethi.’” Iwapo alitamka, “Sibolethi,” kwa sababu hakuweza kutamka hilo neno sawasawa, walimkamata na kumuua hapo kwenye vivuko vya Yordani. Waefraimu 42,000 waliuawa wakati huo.
They asked him: Say then, Scibboleth, which is interpreted, An ear of corn. But he answered, Sibboleth, not being able to express an ear of corn by the same letter. Then presently they took him and killed him in the very passage of the Jordan. And there fell at that time of Ephraim two and forty thousand.
7 Yefta akawa mwamuzi wa Waisraeli kwa muda wa miaka sita. Basi Yefta akafa, akazikwa katika mmojawapo wa miji ya Gileadi.
And Jephte the Galaadite judged Israel six years: and he died, and was buried in his city of Galaad.
8 Baada yake, Ibzani wa Bethlehemu akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli.
After him Abesan of Bethlehem judged Israel:
9 Alikuwa na wana thelathini na binti thelathini. Akawaoza binti zake kwa watu wengine nje ya ukoo wake, na kuwatwalia wanawe wanawake thelathini toka nje ya ukoo wake. Ibzani akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli kwa muda wa miaka saba.
He had thirty sons, and as many daughters, whom he sent abroad, and gave to husbands, and took wives for his sons of the same number, bringing them into his house. And he judged Israel seven years:
10 Ibzani akafa, akazikwa huko Bethlehemu.
And he died, and was buried in Bethlehem.
11 Baada yake Eloni, Mzabuloni, akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli, naye akawaamua kwa muda wa miaka kumi.
To him succeeded Ahialon a Zabulonite: and he judged Israel ten years:
12 Kisha Eloni akafa, akazikwa katika Aiyaloni, katika nchi ya Zabuloni.
And he died, and was buried in Zabulon.
13 Baada yake, Abdoni mwana wa Hileli, Mpirathoni, akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli.
After him Abdon, the son of Illel, a Pharathonite, judged Israel:
14 Naye akazaa wana arobaini na wana wa wanawe thelathini waliopanda punda sabini. Akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli kwa muda wa miaka minane.
And he had forty sons, and of them thirty grandsons, mounted upon seventy ass colts, and he judged Israel eight years:
15 Ndipo Abdoni mwana wa Hileli, Mpirathoni, akafa, naye akazikwa huko Pirathoni katika Efraimu, katika nchi ya vilima ya Waamaleki.
And he died, and was buried in Pharathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of Amalech.
