Zekaria 9
1 Neno: Neno la Bwana liko kinyume na nchi ya Hadraki na Dameski itakuwa mahali pa kupumzika, kwa kuwa macho ya watu na ya kabila zote za Israeli yako kwa Bwana,
[This is another] message [that I received] from Yahweh. [Yahweh said, ] “I watch [MTY] everyone, especially the tribes of Israel; [so] I will [punish the people in] the Hadrach [region] and in Damascus [city] [because of what they did to the people of Israel].
2 pia juu ya Hamathi inayopakana nayo, juu ya Tiro na Sidoni, ingawa wana ujuzi mwingi sana.
[I will also punish the people in] nearby Hamath [city]. I will also [punish the people in] Tyre and Sidon [cities], even though they are [considered to be] [IRO] very wise.
3 Tiro amejijengea ngome imara, amelundika fedha kama mavumbi na dhahabu kama taka za mitaani.
[The people in] Tyre built a high wall [around their city]. They piled up [huge amounts of] silver and gold as though they were [piles of] dirt in the streets.
4 Lakini Bwana atamwondolea mali zake na kuuangamiza uwezo wake wa baharini, naye atateketezwa kwa moto.
But [I], Yahweh, will cause their precious possessions to be taken away and all their ships to be destroyed, and their city will be destroyed by a fire.
5 Ashkeloni ataona hili na kuogopa; Gaza atagaagaa kwa maumivu makali, pia Ekroni, kwa sababu matumaini yake yatanyauka. Gaza atampoteza mfalme wake na Ashkeloni ataachwa pweke.
[The people in Ashkelon city] will see that [happen], and they will become very afraid. [The people in] Gaza [city] will shake because of being terrified, and [the people in Ekron city] will shake too, because they will no longer expect [to prosper]. The king of [the city of] Gaza will be killed, and [the city of] Ashkelon will be deserted.
6 Wageni watakalia mji wa Ashdodi, nami nitakatilia mbali kiburi cha Wafilisti.
Foreigners will occupy Ashdod [city]. I will cause the [people in all those cities of] Philistia to no longer be proud.
7 Nitaondoa damu vinywani mwao, chakula kile walichokatazwa kati ya meno yao. Mabaki yao yatakuwa mali ya Mungu wetu, nao watakuwa viongozi katika Yuda, naye Ekroni atakuwa kama Wayebusi.
I will no longer allow them to eat [MTY] meat that still has blood in it, and I will forbid them to eat [MTY] food that I [MTY] have not allowed them to eat [because it was offered to idols]. [At that time, ] the people [in Philistia] who survive will worship me, and they will become [my people, like] the people of Judah are. The Philistine people of Ekron will also become my people like [SIM] the people of Jebus did [when they were conquered].
8 Lakini nitailinda nyumba yangu dhidi ya majeshi ya wanyangʼanyi. Kamwe mdhalimu hatashambulia watu wangu tena, kwa maana sasa ninawachunga.
I will protect my temple, and I will not allow any [enemy soldiers] to enter it. No [enemies] will harm my people again, because I will be watching [over my people] carefully.
9 Shangilia sana, ee Binti Sayuni! Piga kelele, Binti Yerusalemu! Tazama, Mfalme wako anakuja kwako, ni mwenye haki, naye ana wokovu, ni mpole, naye amepanda punda, mwana-punda, mtoto wa punda.
Rejoice very much, [you people of] Jerusalem [APO, DOU] and shout joyfully, because your king will be coming to you. He is righteous and victorious; [but he will be] gentle, and [he will be] riding on a donkey, on a young female donkey.
10 Nitaondoa magari ya vita kutoka Efraimu na farasi wa vita kutoka Yerusalemu, nao upinde wa vita utavunjwa. Atatangaza amani kwa mataifa. Utawala wake utaenea kutoka bahari hadi bahari, na kutoka Mto Frati hadi mwisho wa dunia.
I will get rid of the chariots in the Ephraim [region that are used in battles] and [all] the war horses in Jerusalem. [All] the bows used in wars will be broken. [Your king] will proclaim that he will cause things to go well and peacefully in the nations. He will rule [the area] from the [Mediterranean] Sea to the [Dead] Sea, and from the [Euphrates] River to the most distant places on the earth.
11 Kwako wewe, kwa sababu ya damu ya Agano langu nawe, nitawaacha huru wafungwa wako watoke kwenye shimo lisilo na maji.
As for you [my people of Jerusalem], because of the blood [of the animals that were sacrificed to make] my agreement with you, I will free your people who were forced to go to other countries where [it was as though they were kept] in a waterless pit.
12 Rudieni ngome yenu, enyi wafungwa wa tumaini; hata sasa ninatangaza kwamba nitawarejesheeni maradufu.
[You people who were] prisoners [in those countries] who [still] confidently expect [God to help you], return to [Judah], where you will be safe. This day I declare that I will give you two blessings for [each of the troubles that you have experienced].
13 Nitampinda Yuda kama nipindavyo upinde wangu, nitamfanya Efraimu mshale wangu. Nitawainua wana wako, ee Sayuni, dhidi ya wana wako, ee Uyunani, na kukufanya kama upanga wa shujaa wa vita.
I will cause Judah to be like [MET] my bow, and I will cause Israel to be [like] [MET] my arrow. I will enable you young men of Jerusalem to fight against the soldiers of Greece; you will be like [SIM] a warrior’s sword.”
14 Kisha Bwana atawatokea; mshale wake utamulika kama umeme wa radi. Bwana Mwenyezi atapiga tarumbeta, naye atatembea katika tufani za kusini,
[Some day] Yahweh will appear [in the sky] above his people, and the arrows that he shoots will be like [SIM] lightning. Yahweh [our] Lord will blow his trumpet, and he will march [fiercely] like [MET] the storms from the south.
15 na Bwana Mwenye Nguvu Zote atawalinda. Wataangamiza na kushinda kwa mawe ya kutupa kwa kombeo. Watakunywa na kunguruma kama waliolewa mvinyo; watajaa kama bakuli linalotumika kunyunyizia kwenye pembe za madhabahu.
The Commander of the armies of angels will protect [his people]; [the soldiers of Judah] will attack and defeat [their enemies who attack them] using slingshots. [Those soldiers of Judah] will drink and celebrate and shout like [SIM] people who are drunk; they will be as full [of wine] as the bowl that holds [the blood of the animals that are sacrificed] and [which is then] sprinkled on the corners of the altar.
16 Bwana Mungu wao atawaokoa siku hiyo kama kundi la watu wake. Watangʼara katika nchi yake kama vito vya thamani kwenye taji.
On that day, Yahweh our God will save his people [like a shepherd saves] his flock [of sheep from danger]. In their land, they will be like [SIM] jewels that sparkle on a crown.
17 Jinsi gani watavutia na kuwa wazuri! Nafaka itawastawisha vijana wanaume, nayo divai mpya vijana wanawake.
They will be delightful and beautiful. The young men will become strong from [eating] grain, and the young women will [become strong] from [drinking] new wine.
