Nahumu 2
1 Mshambuliaji anasogea dhidi yako, Ninawi. Linda ngome, chunga barabara, jitieni nguvu wenyewe, kusanya nguvu zako zote!
Nineveh! The destroyer has come up against you; mount guard upon the rampart; watch the road; brace yourselves; strengthen your might to the utmost.
2 Bwana atarudisha fahari ya Yakobo, kama fahari ya Israeli, ingawa waangamizi wamewaacha ukiwa na wameharibu mizabibu yao.
For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob and of Israel, though the devastators have plundered them and destroyed their vines.
3 Ngao za askari wake ni nyekundu, mashujaa wamevaa nguo nyekundu. Chuma kwenye magari ya vita chametameta, katika siku aliyoyaweka tayari, mikuki ya mierezi inametameta.
The shields of his warriors are dyed red, his soldiers are clothed in scarlet, his chariots gleam like fire on the day he prepares for battle spears are shaken.
4 Magari ya vita yanafanya msukosuko barabarani, yakikimbia nyuma na mbele uwanjani. Yanaonekana kama mienge ya moto; yanakwenda kasi kama umeme.
Chariots rush across the fields, storm through the squares; they flame like torches, they dart like lightening.
5 Anaita vikosi vilivyochaguliwa, lakini bado wanajikwaa njiani. Wanakimbilia haraka kwenye ukuta wa mji, ile ngao ya kuwakinga imetayarishwa.
A leader rallies his nobles, they hurl themselves forward. They speed on toward the wall; the storming-shield is set up.
6 Malango ya mto yamefunguliwa wazi, na jumba la kifalme limeanguka.
The water-gates are thrown open, and the palace dissolves in ruins.
7 Imeagizwa kwamba mji uchukuliwe na upelekwe uhamishoni. Vijakazi wake wanaomboleza kama hua na kupigapiga vifua vyao.
The queen is stripped, she is carried off. Her maids moan like doves, beating upon their breasts.
8 Ninawi ni kama dimbwi, nayo maji yake yanakauka. Wanalia, “Simama! Simama!” Lakini hakuna anayegeuka nyuma.
Like a pool of water is Nineveh, her waters fast ebbing away. “Stand firm! Stand firm!” someone cries, but no one turns back.
9 Chukueni nyara za fedha! Chukueni nyara za dhahabu! Wingi wake hauna mwisho, utajiri kutoka hazina zake zote!
“Loot the silver, loot the gold, for there is no end to the treasure, the wealth and precious things.”
10 Ameharibiwa, ametekwa nyara, ameachwa uchi! Mioyo inayeyuka, magoti yanalegea, miili inatetemeka, na kila uso umebadilika rangi.
Nineveh is empty, desolate, devastated, with faint heart and knocking knee. There is weakness in every limb, and faces grow pale.
11 Liko wapi sasa pango la simba, mahali ambapo waliwalisha watoto wao, ambapo simba dume na simba jike walikwenda na ambapo wana simba walikwenda bila kuogopa chochote?
Where now is the den of lions? Where now the lair of their young? Where the lion used to withdraw, with his cubs, with none to disturb them?
12 Simba aliua mawindo ya kutosha watoto wake, alinyonga mawindo kwa ajili ya mwenzi wake, akijaza makao yake kwa alivyoua na mapango yake kwa mawindo.
The lion tore enough for his cubs, and strangled prey for his lionesses. He filled his caves with the kill, he filled his lairs with fresh meat.
13 Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote anatangaza, “Mimi ni kinyume na ninyi. Magari yenu ya vita nitayateketeza kwa moto, na upanga utakula wana simba wako. Sitawaachia mawindo juu ya nchi. Sauti za wajumbe wako hazitasikika tena.”
“But see, I am against you,” the Lord of hosts declares, “I will burn your chariots in smoke and fire. The sword will devour your young lions. You will never again prey on the land. No more will your messengers be heard.”
