1 Wafalme 18
1 Kwa hiyo baada ya siku nyingi neno la BWANA likamjia Eliya, katika mwaka wa tatu wa ukame, likisema, “Nenda ukajionyeshe mwenyewe kwa Ahabu nami nitainyeshea ardhi mvua.”
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
2 Eliya akaenda kujionyesha mwenyewe kwa Ahabu; sasa njaa ilikuwa kali sana kule Samaria.
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And the famine was sore in Samaria.
3 Ahabu akamwita Obadia, aliyekuwa mkuu wa ikulu. Obadia alimheshimu sana BWANA,
And Ahab called Obadiah, which was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
4 kwa kuwa wakati Yezebeli alipokuwa akiwaua manabii wa BWANA, Obadia alichukua manabii mia akawaficha katika makundi ya hamsini hamsini katika pango na akawalisha kwa mikate na maji.
for it was so, when Jezebel cut off prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
5 Ahabu akamwambia Obadia, “Pita katika nchi yote na katika chemichemi zote za maji na vijito. Yamkini tunaweza kupata maji na nyasi ili tuwaokoa hawa farasi na nyumbu, ili tusiwakose wanyama wote.”
And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go through the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the brooks: peradventure we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
6 Kwa hiyo wakaigawa nchi kati yao ili wapite kati yake wakitafuta maji. Ahabu akaenda njia yake mwenyewe na Obadia naye akaenda njia yake.
So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.
7 Wakati Obadia akiwa njiani, akakutana na Eliya pasipo kutegemea. Obadia akamtambua na akalala kifudifudi chini. Akamwambia, “Ndiye wewe, bwana wangu Eliya?”
And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Is it thou, my lord Elijah?
8 Naye Eliya akamjibu, Ni mimi. Nenda umwambie bwana wako, 'Tazama, Eliya yuko hapa.'”
And he answered him, It is I: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah [is here].
9 Obadia akamjibu. “Nimekoseaje, kwamba umtoe mtumishi wako katika mkono wa Ahabu ili aniue?
And he said, Wherein have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?
10 Kama BWANA Mungu wako aishivyo, hakuna taifa wala ufalme ambapo bwana wangu hajatuma watu kukutafuta. Kila taifa au ufalme unaposema, “Eliya hayuko hapa,' Ahabu hufanya waape ni kweli hawajakuona.
As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 Na sasa wewe unasema, 'Nenda, ukamwambie bwana wako kwamba Eliya yuko hapa.'
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah [is here].
12 Mara tu baada ya kukuacha Roho wa BWANA atakuchukua na kukupeleka mahali ambapo sitapajua. Kisha nikienda na kumwambia Ahabu, na asipokuona, ataniua. Bado, mimi, mtumishi wako, nimekuwa nikimwabudu BWANA kutoka ujana wangu.
And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.
13 Je, haujaambiwa, bwana wangu, nilichokifanya wakati Yezebeli alipowaua manabii wa BWANA, jinsi nilivyowaficha wale manabii mia moja wa BWANA katika makundi ya hamsini kwenye pango na kuwalisha kwa mikate na maji?
Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread an water?
14 Na sasa unasema, 'Nenda umwambie bwana wako kwamba Eliya yuko hapa,' kwa hiyo ataniua.”
And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah: [is here]: and he shall slay me.
15 Ndipo Eliya alipomjibu, “Kama vile BWANA wa majeshi aishivyo, ambaye mimi ninasimama, Kwa hakika nitajionyeshakwa Ahabu leo.”
And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him today.
16 Kwa hiyo Obadia akaenda kukutana na Ahabu, nakumwambia kile Eliya alichokuwa amemwambia. Ndipo mfalme alipoenda kukutana na Eliya.
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.
17 Ahabu alipomwona Eliya, akamwambia, “Je, ni wewe? Wewe mtabishaji wa Israeli!”
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Is it thou, thou troubler of Israel?
18 Eliya akamwambia, “Mimi sijaitabisha Israeli, Lakiini wewe na familia ya baba yako ndio watabishaji kwa kuziacha amri za BWANA na kufuata sanamu za Baali.
And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed the Baalim.
19 Kwa hiyo sasa, Tuma neno na unikusanyie Israeli yote katika mlima Kameli, pamoja na manabii 450 wa Baali na wale manabii 400 wa Ashera wanaokula kwenye meza ya Yezebeli.”
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 Kwa hiyo Ahabu akatuma neno kwa watu wote wa Israeli na akawakusanya manabii wote kwenye mlima Kameli.
So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 Eliya akaja karibu na watu wote akasema, “Mtaendelea kubadilisha mawazo yenu mpaka lini? Kama BWANA ni Mungu, mfuateni yeye, Lakini kama Baali ni Mungu, basi mfuateni yeye,” Lakini watu hawakumjibu neno.
And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Kisha Eliya akawaambia wale watu, “Mimi, pekee yangu, ndiye niliyebaki kuwa nabii wa BWANA, lakini manabii wa Baali wako 450.
Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Hebu tutoleeni ng'ombe wawili. Nao wajichagulie ng'ombe mmoja na wamchinje na kumkatakata katika vipnde, na wamweke kwenye kuni, na wasitie moto chini yake. Nami nitamwandaa yule wa pili na kumweke juu ya kuni nami sitatia moto chini yake.
Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under.
24 Kisha mtaliita jina la mungu wenu, nami nitaliita jina la BWANA, na Mungu atakayejibu kwa moto, huyo ndiye Mungu.” Watu wote wakajibu na kusema, “Hilo ni jambo jema.”
And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 Kwa Eliya akawaambia manabii wa Baali, “Chagueni ng'ombe mmoja kwa ajili yenu na mwe wa kwanza kumwamdaa, kwa kuwa ninyi ni wengi, Kisha liiteni jina la mungu wenu, lakini msiwashe moto.”
And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under.
26 Nao wakamchukua yule ng'ombe waliokuwa wamepewa na wakamwandaa, na ndipo walipoliita jina la Baali kuanzia asubuhi hadi adhuhuri, wakisema, “Baali, tusikie.” Lakini hapakuwepo na Sauti, na wala hakuna aliyejibu. Wakachezacheza kuizunguka madhabahu waliyotengeneza.
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.
27 Ilipofika adhuhuri Eliya akawakejeli akisema, “Mwiteni kwa nguvu! Huyo ni mungu! labda anawaza kitu, au amepumzika, au yuko safarini, au pengine amelala sharti aamshwe.”
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is musing, or he is gone aside, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 Kwa hiyo wakamwita kwa nguvu, wakajikatakata kama kawaida yao ilivyokuwa, kwa upanga na nyembe, mpaka damu ikawachuruzika.
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 Ikawa wakati wa adhuhuri ulipopita, na bado walikuwa wakiendelea kutabiri mpaka wakati wa jioni wa kutoa dhabihu, lakini hapakuwepo na sauti wala mtu wa kuwajibu; wala hapakuwepo na yeyote wa kujibu wala wa kuangalia.
And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the [evening] oblation; but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 Kisha Eliya akawaambia watu wote, “Nisogeleeni,” na watu wote wakamsogelea. Naye akatengeneza ile madhabahu ya BWANA ambayo ilikuwa imeharibika.
And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me; and all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was thrown down.
31 Eliya akachukua mawe kumi na mawili, kila jiwe moja liliwakilisha kabila moja la wana wa Yakobo - ni kupitia Yakobo kwamba neno la BWANA lilikuja, likisema, “Jina lako litakuwa Israel.”
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name.
32 Kwa kutumia hayo mawe aliijenga ile madhabahu kwa jina la BWANA na akachimba mfereji kuizunguka ile madhabahu kubwa kiasi cha kubeba lita kumi na tano za maji.
And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD; and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 Kisha akaweka kuni kwa ajili ya moto na akamkatakata yule ng'ombe katika vipande vipande na akaweka vile vipande juu ya kuni. Na akasema, “Vijazeni maji hivyo vyombo na yamwageni kwenye hiyo sadaka ya kueketezwa na juu ya hizo kuni.”
And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it on the wood. And he said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt offering, and on the wood.
34 Akasema tena fanyeni hivyo mara ya pili,” nao wakafanya kwa mara ya pili. kisha akasema, “Fanyeni mara ya tatu,” nao wakafanya kwa mara ya tatu.
And he said, Do it the second time; and they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time; and they did it the third time.
35 Maji yakaizunguka ile madhabahu na kuujaza ule mfereji.
And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 Ikawa wakati wa kutoa dhabihu ya jioni, nabii Eliya akasogea na akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Abrahamu, na wa Isaka, na wa Israeli, na ijulikane leo kwamba wewe ndiye Mungu wa Israeli, na kwamba mimi ni mtumishi wako, na kwamba nimeyafanya mambo haya yote kwa jina lako.
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the [evening] oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, O LORD, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Nisikie, BWANA, nisike, ili hawa watu wajue kuwa wewe, BWANA, ndiye Mungu, na kwamba umeirudisha mioyo yao kwako tena.”
Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou, LORD, art God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again.
38 Ndipo moto wa BWANA ukashuka ukairamba ile sadaka, pamoja na zile kuni, mawe na mavumbi, na kuyaramba yale maji yaliyokuwa kwenye ule mfereji.
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 watu wote walipoona haya, wakalala kifudifudi chini wakasema, “BWANA, ndiye Mungu! BWANA ndiye Mungu!
And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.
40 Kwa hiyo Eliya akawaambia, “Wakamateni manabii wa Baali. Msimwache hata mmoja wao atoroke.” Kwa hiyo wakawakamata, na Eliya akawaleta manabii wa Baali chini kwenye kijito cha Kishoni na akawaua huko.
and Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
41 Eliya akamwambia Ahabu, “Inuka, ule na kunywa, kwa kuwa kuna sauti ya mvua kubwa.”
And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.
42 Kwa hiyo Ahabu akaenda akala na knywa. Kisha Eliya akaenda juu ya mlima Kameli, akasudu chini na akaweka uso wake katikati ya magoti.
So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees.
43 Akamwambia mtumishi wake, “Nenda sasa, utazame upande wa bahari.” mtumishi wake akaenda na akasema, “Hakuna kitu,” Eliya akamwambia, “Nenda tena, mpaka mara saba.”
And he said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.
44 Ile mara ya saba mtumishi wake akasema, “Tazama, kuna wingu linapanda kutoka baharini, ni dogo kama mkono wa mtu.” Eliya akamjibu, Nenda ukamwambie Ahabu, 'Andaa gari lako na ushuke kabla mvua haijakuzuia.'”
And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a cloud out of the sea, as small as a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Make ready [thy chariot], and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.
45 Ikatokea baada ya muda mfupi mbingu zikawa nyeusi kwa mawingu na upepo, na kulikuwa na mvua kubwa. Ahabu akapanda gari akaenda zake Yezreeli,
And it came to pass in a little while, that the heaven grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.
46 lakini mkono wa BWANA ulikuwa juu ya Eliya. Akalikaza vazi lake kwa mshipi wake na akakimbia mbele ya Ahabu kwenye lango la Yezreeli.
and the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
