< Hesabu 22 >

1 Kisha Waisraeli wakasafiri katika tambarare za Moabu na kupiga kambi kando ya Mto Yordani, ngʼambo ya Yeriko.
And the sons of Israel journeyed, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
2 Basi Balaki mwana wa Sipori, aliona mambo yale yote ambayo Israeli aliwatendea Waamori,
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
3 Moabu aliogopa, kwa kuwa walikuwepo watu wengi sana. Hakika, Moabu alijawa na hofu kubwa kwa sababu ya Waisraeli.
And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people, because they were many. And Moab was distressed because of the sons of Israel.
4 Wamoabu wakawaambia wazee wa Midiani, “Umati huu wa watu unakwenda kuramba kila kitu kinachotuzunguka, kama maksai arambavyo majani ya shambani.” Kwa hiyo Balaki mwana wa Sipori, ambaye alikuwa mfalme wa Moabu wakati huo,
And Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is round about us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
5 akatuma wajumbe kwenda kumwita Balaamu mwana wa Beori, ambaye alikuwa huko Pethori, karibu na Mto Frati, katika nchi yake ya kuzaliwa. Balaki akasema: “Taifa limekuja kutoka Misri, nao wamefunika uso wa nchi, nao wametua karibu nami.
And he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, a people came out from Egypt. Behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide opposite me.
6 Sasa uje kuwalaani watu hawa, kwa kuwa wana nguvu sana kuniliko. Kisha huenda nikaweza kuwashinda na kuwatoa nje ya nchi. Kwa kuwa ninajua kwamba, wale unaowabariki wanabarikiwa na wale unaowalaani wanalaaniwa.”
Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse for me this people, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land. For I know that he whom thou bless is blessed, and he whom thou curse is cursed.
7 Wazee wa Moabu na wa Midiani wakaondoka, wakiwa wamechukua ada ya uaguzi. Walipokwenda kwa Balaamu, wakamweleza kile Balaki alikuwa amesema.
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand, and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
8 Balaamu akawaambia, “Mlale hapa usiku huu, nami nitawaletea jibu lile Bwana atakalonipa.” Kwa hiyo wakuu wa Moabu wakakaa naye.
And he said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Jehovah shall speak to me. And the rulers of Moab abode with Balaam.
9 Mungu akamjia Balaamu na kumuuliza, “Watu gani hawa walio pamoja nawe?”
And God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
10 Balaamu akamwambia Mungu, “Balaki mwana wa Sipori, mfalme wa Moabu, alinipelekea ujumbe huu:
And Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
11 ‘Taifa ambalo limekuja kutoka Misri limefunika uso wa nchi. Sasa uje unilaanie hao watu. Kisha huenda nitaweza kupigana nao na kuwafukuza.’”
Behold, the people came out of Egypt, it covers the face of the earth. Now, come curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.
12 Lakini Bwana akamwambia Balaamu, “Usiende pamoja nao. Hupaswi kulaani watu hao, kwa kuwa wamebarikiwa.”
And God said to Balaam, Thou shall not go with them. Thou shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.
13 Asubuhi iliyofuata Balaamu akaamka, akawaambia wakuu wa Balaki, “Rudini katika nchi yenu, kwa kuwa Bwana amenikataza nisiende pamoja nanyi.”
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the rulers of Balak, Get into your land, for Jehovah refuses to give me leave to go with you.
14 Kwa hiyo wakuu wa Moabu wakarudi kwa Balaki na kumwambia, “Balaamu amekataa kuja pamoja nasi.”
And the rulers of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
15 Kisha Balaki akatuma wakuu wengine, wengi zaidi na wanaoheshimiwa zaidi kuliko wale wa kwanza.
And Balak sent yet again rulers, more, and more honorable than they.
16 Wakafika kwa Balaamu na kumwambia: “Balaki mwana wa Sipori amesema hivi: Usiruhusu kitu chochote kikuzuie kuja kwangu,
And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming to me.
17 kwa sababu nitakulipa vizuri sana na kufanya lolote usemalo. Njoo unilaanie watu hawa.”
For I will promote thee to very great honor, and whatever thou say to me I will do. Come therefore, I pray thee, curse this people for me.
18 Lakini Balaamu akawajibu, “Hata kama Balaki angenipa jumba lake la kifalme likiwa limejazwa fedha na dhahabu, singeweza kufanya kitu chochote kikubwa au kidogo ili kutenda kitu nje ya agizo la Bwana Mungu wangu.
And Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah my God, to do less or more.
19 Mlale hapa usiku huu kama wale wengine walivyofanya, nami nitatafuta ni nini kingine Bwana atakachoniambia.”
Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what Jehovah will speak to me more.
20 Usiku ule Bwana akamjia Balaamu na kumwambia, “Kwa kuwa watu hawa wamekuja kukuita wewe, nenda nao, lakini ufanye tu lile nitakalokuambia.”
And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, go with them, but only the word which I speak to thee, that shall thou do.
21 Balaamu akaamka asubuhi, akatandika punda wake akaenda pamoja na wakuu wa Moabu.
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the rulers of Moab.
22 Lakini Mungu alikasirika sana alipokwenda, naye malaika wa Bwana akasimama barabarani kumpinga. Balaamu alikuwa amepanda punda wake, na watumishi wake wawili walikuwa pamoja naye.
And God's anger was kindled because he went, and the agent of Jehovah placed himself in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.
23 Wakati punda alipomwona malaika wa Bwana akiwa amesimama barabarani akiwa na upanga uliofutwa mkononi mwake, punda akageukia upande kuelekea shambani. Balaamu akampiga ili amrudishe barabarani.
And the donkey saw the agent of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field. And Balaam smote the donkey, to turn her into the way.
24 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana akasimama katika njia nyembamba iliyo kati ya mashamba mawili ya mizabibu, yakiwa na kuta pande zote mbili.
Then the agent of Jehovah stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 Punda alipomwona malaika wa Bwana, alijisukumiza karibu na ukuta, na kugandamiza mguu wa Balaamu ukutani. Ndipo Balaamu akampiga tena punda.
And the donkey saw the agent of Jehovah, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall. And he smote her again.
26 Kisha malaika wa Bwana akaendelea mbele na kusimama mahali pembamba ambapo hapakuwepo nafasi ya kugeuka, upande wa kulia wala wa kushoto.
And the agent of Jehovah went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 Punda alipomwona malaika wa Bwana, alilala chini Balaamu angali amempanda, naye Balaamu akakasirika na kumpiga kwa fimbo yake.
And the donkey saw the agent of Jehovah, and she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the donkey with his staff.
28 Kisha Bwana akakifungua kinywa cha punda, akamwambia Balaamu, “Nimekutendea nini kinachokufanya unipige mara hizi tatu?”
And Jehovah opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, What have I done to thee, that thou have smitten me these three times?
29 Balaamu akamjibu punda, “Umenifanya mjinga! Kama ningelikuwa na upanga mkononi mwangu, ningelikuua sasa hivi.”
And Balaam said to the donkey, Because thou have mocked me. I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed thee.
30 Punda akamwambia Balaamu, “Je, mimi si punda wako mwenyewe, ambaye umenipanda siku zote, hadi leo? Je, nimekuwa na tabia ya kufanya hivi kwako?” Akajibu, “Hapana.”
And the donkey said to Balaam, Am not I thy donkey, upon which thou have ridden all thy life long to this day? Was I ever accustomed to do so to thee? And he said, No.
31 Kisha Bwana akafungua macho ya Balaamu, naye akamwona malaika wa Bwana amesimama barabarani akiwa ameufuta upanga wake. Balaamu akainama, akaanguka kifudifudi.
Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the agent of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand. And he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
32 Malaika wa Bwana akamuuliza Balaamu, “Kwa nini umempiga punda wako mara tatu hizi? Nimekuja kukuzuia kwa sababu njia yako imepotoka mbele yangu.
And the agent of Jehovah said to him, Why have thou smitten thy donkey these three times? Behold, I have come forth as an adversary, because thy way is perverse before me.
33 Punda aliniona na kunikwepa mara hizi tatu. Kama punda hangenikwepa, hakika ningekuwa nimeshakuua sasa, lakini ningemwacha punda hai.”
And the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have even slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 Balaamu akamwambia malaika wa Bwana, “Nimetenda dhambi. Sikutambua kuwa umesimama barabarani kunizuia. Basi kama haikupendezi, nitarudi.”
And Balaam said to the agent of Jehovah, I have sinned, for I knew not that thou stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get back again.
35 Malaika wa Bwana akamwambia Balaamu, “Uende na watu hao, lakini useme tu lile nikuambialo.” Kwa hiyo Balaamu akaenda na wale wakuu wa Balaki.
And the agent of Jehovah said to Balaam, Go with the men, but only the word that I shall speak to thee, that thou shall speak. So Balaam went with the rulers of Balak.
36 Balaki aliposikia kuwa Balaamu anakuja, akatoka kumlaki katika mji wa Moabu, katika mpaka wa Arnoni, ukingoni mwa nchi yake.
And when Balak heard that Balaam came, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the outmost part of the border.
37 Balaki akamwambia Balaamu, “Je, sikukupelekea jumbe za haraka? Kwa nini hukuja kwangu? Hivi kweli mimi siwezi kukulipa?”
And Balak said to Balaam, Did I not earnestly send to thee to call thee? Why did thou not come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honor?
38 Balaamu akajibu, “Vema, sasa nimekuja kwako. Lakini kwani nina uwezo wa kusema tu chochote? Ni lazima niseme tu kile ambacho Mungu ataweka kinywani mwangu.”
And Balaam said to Balak, Lo, I have come to thee. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that shall I speak.
39 Kisha Balaamu alikwenda na Balaki mpaka Kiriath-Husothi.
And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.
40 Balaki akatoa dhabihu ya ngʼombe na kondoo; baadhi yake akampa Balaamu na wakuu waliokuwa pamoja naye.
And Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the rulers that were with him.
41 Asubuhi iliyofuata Balaki akamchukua Balaamu mpaka Bamoth-Baali, na kutoka huko Balaamu akawaona baadhi ya watu.
And it came to pass in the morning, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, and he saw from there the outmost part of the people.

< Hesabu 22 >