1 Wafalme 8

1 Kisha Sulemani akawakusanya wazee wa Israeli, wakuu wote wa makabila, na viongozi wa familia za wana wa Israeli, mbele yake kuleYerusalemu, ili waliingize ndani lile sanduku la agano la BWANA kutoka mji wa Daudi, ambao ni Sayuni.

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion.

2 Wanaume wote wa Israeli walikusanyika mbele ya mfalme Sulemani kwenye sherehe, katika mwezi wa Ethanim, ambao ndio mwezi wa saba.

And all the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, that is, the seventh month.

3 Wazee wote wa Israeli walikuja, na makuhani wakalibeba lile sanduku.

And all the elders of Israel came; and the priests took up the ark.

4 Wakalileta lile sanduku la BWANA, lIle hema la kukutania na mapambo yote matakatifu ambayo yalikuwa kwenye hema. Makuhani na Walawi wakavileta vitu hivi.

And they brought up the ark of Jehovah, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent: the priests and the Levites brought them up.

5 Mfame Sulemani na mkutano wote wa Israeli wakaja pamoja mbele ya sanduku, wakatoa sadaka za kondoo na makisai ambazo hazikuweza kuhasabika.

And king Solomon, and all the assembly of Israel that were assembled to him, [who were] with him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.

6 Makuhani wakalingiza ndani lile sanduku la agano la BWANA na wakaliweka mahali pake, ndani ya chumba cha ndani, patakatifu sana, chini ya yale mabawa ya makerubi.

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah to its place, into the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim;

7 Kwa kuwa makerubi walitandaza mabawa yao hadi mahali pa sanduku la agano, na walifunika sanduku na miti yake kwani ilitumika kulibeba.

for the cherubim stretched forth [their] wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its staves above.

8 Ile miti ilikuwa mirefu sana kiasi kwamba miishio yake ilionekana tokea kwenye eneo takatifu mbele ya chumba cha ndani, lakini haikuweza kuonekana kutokea nje. Miti hiyo iko mpaka leo.

And the staves were long, so that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle, but they were not seen without. And there they are to this day.

9 Ndani ya sanduku hapakuwemo na kitu chochote isipokuwa vile vidonge vya mawe ambavyo Musa aliviweka alipokuwa mlima Horebu, wakati BWANA alipofanya agano na watu wa Israeli walipotoka kwenye nchi ya Misri.

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses placed there at Horeb, when Jehovah made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 Ilitokea kwamba wakati makuhani walipotoka mahali patakatifu, lile wingu lilifunika hekalu la BWANA.

And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Jehovah,

11 Makuhani hawakuweza kusimama kwa ajili ya kutumika kwa sababu utukufu wa BWANA ulifunika hekalu.

and the priests could not stand to do their service because of the cloud; for the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of Jehovah.

12 Kisha Sulemani akasema, “BWANA amsema kuwa anaweza kuishi hata kwenye giza nene,

Then said Solomon: Jehovah said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

13 Lakinni nimekujengea makao ya kujivunia, mahali pako pa kuishi milele.”

I have indeed built a house of habitation for thee, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

14 Kisha mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki mkusanyiko wa watu wa Israeli, wakati huo mkusanyiko wa Waisraeli walikuwa wamesimama.

And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel; and the whole congregation of Israel stood.

15 Akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, asifiwe, ambaye alisema na baba yangu Daudi, na ametimiza kwa mikono yake, akisema,

And he said: Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

16 'Tangu siku ile niliyowatoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji wowote toka kwa makabila yote ya Israeli ambako ningeijenga nyumba, kwa ajili ya jina langu kuwemo humo. Hata hivyo, nilimchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; but I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

17 Sasa ilikuwa kwenye moyo wa Daudi baba yangu kujenga nyumba kwa jina la BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli.

And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel.

18 Lakini BWANA alimwambia baba yangu Daudi, 'Ilikuwa ndani ya moyo wako kunijengea nyumba kwa jina langu, ulifanya vyema kwa hilo kuwa ndani ya moyo wako.

But Jehovah said to David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;

19 Ingawa hutanijengea nyumba; badala yake mwanao, mmoja wa wanao atakayezaliwa toka viunoni mwako, atanijengea nyumba kwa jina langu,'

nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

20 BWANA amelibeba lile neno slilokuwa amesema, kwa kuwa nimeinuka mahali pa baba yangu Daudi, na nimeketi kwenye kiti cha enzi cha Israeli, kama BWANA alivyoahidi. Nimeijenga nyumba kwa jina la BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli.

And Jehovah has performed his word which he spoke; and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised, and I have built the house unto the name of Jehovah the God of Israel.

21 Nimetengeneza mahali kwa ajili ya sanduku ndani yake, ambamo ndani yake kuna agano la BWANA, ambalo alifanya na baba zetu alipowatoa toka nchi ya Misri,”

And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

22 Sulemani alisimama mbele ya madhabahu ya BWANA, mbela ya mkusanyiko wote wa Waisraeli, naye akanyosha mikono yake kuelekea mbinguni.

And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of the whole congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward the heavens.

23 Akasema, “BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni au chini duniani, ambaye hutunza agano lake kwa uaminifu kwa watumishi wako ambao hutembea mbele yako kwa mioyo yao yote;

And he said, Jehovah, God of Israel! there is no God like thee, in the heavens above, or on the earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart;

24 wewe ambaye umetunza ahadi yako na mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ile uliyomwahidi. Naam, ulisema kwa kinywa chako na sasa umeitimiza kwa mkono wako, kama ilivyo leo.

who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him; thou spokest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled [it] with thy hand, as at this day.

25 Sasa basi, BWANA, Mungu wa Israeli, timiza kile ulichomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, pale uliposema, 'Hautashindwa kunipa mtu mbele ya macho yangu ambaye ataketi katika kiti cha enzi cha Israeli, kama tu uzao wako watakuwa waangalifu kutembea mbele yangu, kama vile wewe ulivyotembea mbele yangu.'

And now, Jehovah, God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy sons take heed to their way, to walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

26 Sasa basi, Mungu wa Israeli, Ninaomba kwamba ile ahadi uliyofanya kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, itimie.

And now, O God of Israel, let thy words, I pray thee, be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David my father.

27 Je, ni kweli kwamba Mungu ataishi duniani? Tazama, Ulimwengu wote na mbingu hazikutoshi - sembuse nyumba hii niliyoijenga!

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!

28 Kwa hiyo Mungu naomba uyajali maombi haya ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake, BWANA, Mungu wangu; sikiliza kilio na maombi ambayo mtumishi wako anakuomba leo.

Yet have respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, Jehovah, my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day;

29 Naomba ulitazame hekalu hili mchana na usiku, mahali ambapo ulisema, 'Jina langu na uwepo wangu utakuwa' - ili niweze kuwa nasikiliza maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba mahali hapa.

that thine eyes may be open upon this house night and day, upon the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.

30 Kwa hiyo sikia maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli tunapokuwa tunaomba mahali hapa. Ndiyo, sikia kutokea mahali ambapo unaishi, kutoka katika mbingu za mbingu; na unaposikia tafadhali samehe.

And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place, and hear thou in thy dwelling-place, in the heavens, and when thou hearest, forgive.

31 Kama mtu atamtendea uovu jirani yake na anapewa sharti la kiapo, na kama atakuja na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako katika nyumba hii,

If a man have sinned against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to adjure him, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

32 basi usikie kutoka mbinguni ukatende na kuwahukumu watumishi wako, ukamhukumu mwovu, ili kuwaletea tabia zake kichwani mwake, na kumtunza mwenye haki kuwa hana hatia, na kumpa thawabu yake ya haki.

then hear thou in the heavens, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, giving him according to his righteousness.

33 Watu wako Israeli watakapopigwa na adui kwa sabau ya kutenda dhambi dhidi yako, na kama watakurudia, na kulikiri jina lako, na kukusihi, na kuomba msamaha kwako katika hekalu hili-

When thy people Israel are put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house;

34 tafadhali nakuomba usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi za watu wako Israeli; uwarudishe katika nchi ambayo uliwapa mababu zao.

then hear thou in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land that thou gavest unto their fathers.

35 Kama mbingu zitafungwa na mvua hazinyeshi kwa sababu watu wamekutenda dhambi wewe - na kama wataomba mahali hapa, na kulikiri jina lako, na kugeuka toka dhambi zao na kama umewapiga -

When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, because thou hast afflicted them;

36 basi sikia tokea mbinguni na usamehe dhambi za watumishi wako na za watu wako Israeli, utakapowafundisha njia njema inayowapasa; basi uinyeshee mvua nchi yako, ambayo uliwapa watu wako kuwa urithi.

then hear thou in the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

37 Na kama kuna njaa katika nchi, au kama kuna magonjwa, au ukungu, nzige au funza; au kama adui atavamia malango ya mji katika nchi yao, kama kuna tauni au magonjwa yeyote -

If there be famine in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blight, mildew, locust, caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their gates; whatever plague, whatever sickness there be:

38 na kama kuna mtu au wata wa Israeli wataomba - kila mmoja akaijua hiyo tauni katika moyo wake wakati akinyosha mikono yake katika hekalu hili.

what prayer, what supplication soever be made by any man, of all thy people Israel, when they shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house;

39 Basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali unapoishi, utende na kusamehe, na umpe kila mtu thawabu anayostahili kwa kile anachofanya; wewe unajua moyo wake, kwa sababu ni wewe pekee yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu.

then hear thou in the heavens, the settled place of thy dwelling, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men),

40 Fanya hivi ili kwamba wawe na hofu kwako katika siku zote za maisha yao wanayoishi katika nchi uliyowapa mababu zetu.

that they may fear thee all the days that they live upon the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

41 Na nyongeza yake, kuhusiana na mgeni ambaye si mtu wako wa Israeli: atakapokuja kutokea nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako -

And as to the stranger also, who is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake

42 kwa sababu watasikia jina lako lilivyo kuu, mkono wako wenye nguvu, na mkono wako ulioinuliwa - atakapokuja na kuomba mahali hapa pa hekalu,

(for they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy mighty hand, and of thy stretched-out arm); when he shall come and pray toward this house,

43 tafadhali usikie kutokea katika mbingu, mahali unapoishi, na umfanyie huyo mgeni akuombacho. Fanya hivi ili makundi ya wtu wote duniani wakujue jina lako na kukuhofia, kama wanavyofanya watu Israeli. Fanya hivyo ili wajue kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga inaitwa kwa jina lako.

hear thou in the heavens thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; in order that all peoples of the earth may know thy name, [and] that they may fear thee as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

44 Na kama watu wko wataenda vitani dhidi ya adui, kwa njia yeyote unayoweza kuwatuma, na kama watakuomba wewe, BWANA, kuelekea mji huu uliuchagua, na kuekea nyumba ambayo nimeijenga kwa jina lako.

If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray to Jehovah toward the city that thou hast chosen, and the house that I have built unto thy name;

45 Basi sikia tokea mbinguni maombi yao, dua zao, na uwasaidie wanachohitaji.

then hear thou in the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their right.

46 Na kama watafanya dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna hata mtu mmoja asiyefanya dhambi, na kama una hasira dhidi yao na kuwapeleka kwa maadui, ili kwamba maadui wawachukue mateka katika nchi yao, mbali au karibu.

If they have sinned against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not, ) and thou be angry with them, and give them up to the enemy, and they have carried them away captives unto the enemy's land, far or near;

47 Na kama watatambua kuwa wako katika nchi ya utumwa, na kama watatubu na kuomba neema kwako kutokea katika nchi ya watekaji. Na kama watasema, 'tumetenda kwa ukaidi na tumefanya dhambi. Tumetenda kwa uovu.'

and if they shall take it to heart in the land whither they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done iniquity, we have dealt perversely;

48 Na kama watarudi kwako kwa mioyo yao yote na kwa roho zao zote katika chi ya maadui ambao wanawakamata, na kama watakuomba wewe kuelekea nchi yao, ambayo uliwapa mababu zao, na kuelekea katika mji uliouchagua, nakuelekea kaika nyumba ambayo nimeijenga kwa jina lako.

and if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city that thou hast chosen, and the house that I have built unto thy name;

49 Basi usikie maombi yao, na dua zao tokea mbinguni, mahali unapoishi, na ukaitetee haki yao.

then hear thou in the heavens, the settled place of thy dwelling, their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their right;

50 Wasamehe watu wako waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako, na dhambi zao zote ambazo kwazo wamekukosea wewe dhidi ya amri zako. Uwahurumie mbele ya maadui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, ili kwamba maadui zao pia wawahurumie watu wako.

and forgive thy people their sin against thee, and all their transgressions whereby they have transgressed against thee, and give them to find compassion with those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

51 Hawa ni watu wako uliowachagau, ambao uliwaokoa toka nchi ya Misri kama kwamba walikuwa katikati ya tanuru amabamo vyuma huyeyushwa.

(for they are thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron) —

52 Naomba kwamba macho yako yatazame dua za mtumishi wako na kwa dua za watu wako Issraeli, ili uwasike kila wanapokulilia.

thine eyes being open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

53 Kwa kuwa uliwatenga toka kwa watu wengine wa duniani ili wawe wako nakupokea ahadi zako, kama vile ulivyomwambia Musa mtumishi wako, wakati ulipowatoa babazetu toka Misri, BWANA.”

For thou hast separated them from among all peoples of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spokest through Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah.

54 Kwa hiyo ilitokea wakati Sulemaeni alipomaliza kuomba maombi haya na dua zake kwa BWANA, aliamka toka madhabahu ya BWANA, pale alipokuwa amepiga magoti na mikono yake ikiwa imenyoshwa kuelekea mbinguni.

And it was so, that when Solomon had ended praying all this prayer and supplication to Jehovah, he arose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth to the heavens,

55 Alisimama na kuubariki mkutano wote wa Israeli kwa sauti kuu, alisema,

and he stood and blessed the whole congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

56 “Asifiwe BWANA, aliywapatia pumziko watu hawa Israeli, akitunza ahadi zake zote. Hakuna hata moja ambayo haijatekelezwa katika ahadi njema za BWANA ambazo aliahidi akiwa na Musa mtumishi wake.

Blessed be Jehovah, who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there has not failed one word of all his good promises which he spoke through Moses his servant!

57 BWANA, mungu wetu awe pamoja nasi, kama alivyokuwa pamoja na mababu zetu. Asituache wala kututelekeza,

Jehovah our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; let him not forsake us nor cast us off:

58 kwamba aunganishe mioyo yetu na yeye, ili tuishi katika njia zake na kuzishika amri zake na taratibu zake na maagizo yake, ambayo aliwaagiza baba zetu.

that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, which he commanded our fathers.

59 Na maeneo haya ambayo nimesema, ambayo nimesihi mbele ya BWANA, yawe karibu n a BWANA, Mungu wetu usiku na mchana, ili kwamba awasadie katika haki za mtumishi wake na haki za watu wake Israeli, kama watakavyoomba kila siku;

And let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Jehovah, be nigh to Jehovah our God day and night, that he maintain the right of his servant, and the right of his people Israel, as the matter of each day shall require;

60 kwamba watu wote duniani wajue kwamba BWANA, ndiye Mungu, na hakuna Mungu mwingine!

that all peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah is God, that there is none else;

61 Kwa hiyo ifanyeni mioyo yenu iwe ya haki mbele ya BWANA. Mungu wetu, ili tutembee katika maagizo na kuzishika amri zake, kama ilivyo leo.

and that your heart may be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in his statutes and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

62 Kwa hiyo mfalme na watu wote pamoja naye wakatoa sadaka kwa BWANA.

And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifices before Jehovah.

63 Sulemani akatoa sadaka ya amani, ambayo aliifanya kwa BWANA: Nayo ilikuwa makisai elfu ishirini na mbili, na kondoo 120, 000. Kwa hiyo mfalme na watu wa Israeli wakaiweka wakfu nyumba ya BWANA.

And Solomon sacrificed a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he sacrificed to Jehovah, twenty-two thousand oxen and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah.

64 Siku hiyo mfalme aliweka wakfu behewa ya katikati mbele ya hekalu la BWANA, kwa kuwa pale ndipo alipotoa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za unga, na sadaka za mafuta ya amani, kwa sababu ile madhabahu ya shaba iliyokuwa mbele ya BWANA ilikuwa ndogo sana kwa sadaka za kuteketezwa, sadaka za unga, na mafuta ya sadaka za amani.

The same day the king hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Jehovah; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the oblations, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar that was before Jehovah was too small to receive the burnt-offerings, and the oblations, and the fat of the peace-offerings.

65 Kwa hiyo Sulemani akafanya sherehe wakati huo, Nayo Israeli yote pamoja naye, mkutano mkubwa, kutoka Lebo Hamathi hadi kijito cha Misri, wakaja mbele ya BWANA, Mungu wetu kwa muda wa siku saba na pia kwa siku saba zingine, ambayo jumla yake ni siku kumi na nne.

And at that time Solomon held the feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the torrent of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, fourteen days.

66 Na ilipofika siku ya nane aliwatawanya watu, nao wakambariki mfalme kisha wakaenda nyumbani kwao kwa furaha na mioyo ya shangwe kwa wema wote ambao BWANA alimwonyesha Daudi, mtumishi wake, na kwa watu wake, Israeli.

On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that Jehovah had done to David his servant, and to Israel his people.