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 all the ancients of Israel with the princes of the tribes, and the heads of the families of the children of Israel were assembled to king Solomon in Jerusalem: that they might carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, that is, out of Sion.

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

And all Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon on the festival day in the month of Ethanim, the same is the seventh month.

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

And all the ancients 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 carried the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the covenant, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, that were in the tabernacle: and the priests and the Levites carried them.

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 multitude of Israel, that were assembled unto him went with him before the ark, and they sacrificed sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered.

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 the Lord into its place, into the oracle of the temple, into the holy of holies under the wings of the cherubims.

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

For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and covered the art, and the staves thereof 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 whereas the staves stood out, the ends of them were seen without in the sanctuary before the oracle, but were not seen farther out, and there they have been unto 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.

Now in the ark there was nothing else but the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord 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 sanctuary, that a cloud filled the house of the Lord,

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

And the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.

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

Then Solomon said: The Lord said that he would dwell in a cloud.

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

Building I have built a house for thy dwelling, to be thy most firm throne 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 all the assembly of Israel: for all the assembly of Israel stood.

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

And Solomon said: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and with his own hands hath accomplished 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 my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel, for a house to be built, that my name might be there: but I chose 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 David my father would have built a house to the name of the Lord 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.

And the Lord said to David my father: Whereas thou hast thought in thy heart to build a house to my name, thou hast done well in having this same thing in thy mind.

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

Nevertheless thou shalt not build me a house, but thy son, that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build a house to 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.

The Lord hath performed his word which he spoke: and I stand in the room of David my father, and sit upon the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised: and have built a house to the name of the Lord 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 the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when they came 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 the Lord in the sight of the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards heaven;

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 said: Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in heaven above, or on earth beneath: who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that have walked 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 what thou hast promised him: with thy mouth thou didst speak, and with thy hands thou hast performed, as this day proveth.

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.'

Now therefore, O Lord God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father what thou hast spoken to him, saying: There shall not be taken away of thee a man in my sight, to sit on the throne of Israel: yet so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked in my sight.

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

And now, Lord God of Israel, let thy words be established, which thou hast spoken to thy servant David my father.

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

Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens 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.

But have regard to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, O Lord my God: hear the hymn and 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 thy eyes may be open upon this house night and day: upon the house of which thou hast said: My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth in this place to thee.

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.

That thou mayest hearken to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, whatsoever they shall pray for in this place, and hear them in the place of thy dwelling in heaven; and when thou hearest, shew them mercy.

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 any man trespass against his neighbour, and have an oath upon him, wherewith he is bound: and come because of the oath before thy altar to thy 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 heaven: and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, and bringing his way upon his own head, and justifying the just, and rewarding him according to his justice.

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-

If thy people Israel shall fly before their enemies, (because they will sin against thee, ) and doing penance, and confessing to thy name, shall come, and pray, and make supplications to 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 heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them back to the land which thou gavest to 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 -

If heaven shall be shut up, and there shall be no rain, because of their sins, and they praying in this place, shall do penance to thy name, and shall be converted from their sins, by occasion of their afflictions:

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 them in heaven, and forgive the sins of thy servants, and of thy people Israel: and shew them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people in possession.

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 a famine arise in the land, or a pestilence, or corrupt air, or blasting, or locust, or mildew, if their enemy afflict them besieging the gates, whatsoever plague, whatsoever infirmity,

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.

Whatsoever curse or imprecation shall happen to any man of thy people Israel: when a man shall know the wound of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands in 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 heaven, in the place of thy dwelling, and forgive, and do so as to give to every one according to his ways, as thou shalt see his heart (for thou only knowest the heart 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 face of the land, which thou hast given to 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 -

Moreover also the stranger, who is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come out of a far country for thy name’s sake, (for they shall hear everywhere of thy great name and thy mighty hand,

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

And thy stretched out arm, ) so when he shall come, and shall pray in this place,

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.

Then hear thou in heaven, in the firmament of thy dwelling place, and do all those things, for which that stranger shall call upon thee: that all the people of the earth may learn to fear thy name, as do thy people Israel, and may prove that thy name is called upon on this house, which I have built.

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 war against their enemies, by what way soever thou shalt send them, they shall pray to thee towards the way of the city, which thou hast chosen, and towards the house, which I have built to thy name:

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

And then hear thou in heaven their prayers, and their supplications, and do judgment for them.

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.

But if they sin against thee (for there is no man who sinneth not) and thou being angry deliver them up to their enemies, so that they be led away captives into the land of their enemies 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.'

Then if they do penance in their heart in the place of captivity, and being converted make supplication to thee in their captivity, saying: We have sinned, we have done unjustly, we have committed wickedness:

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 return to thee with all their heart, and all their soul, in the land of their enemies, to which they had been led captives: and pray to thee towards the way of their land, which thou gavest to their fathers, and of the city which thou hast chosen, and of the temple which I have built to thy name:

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

Then hear thou in heaven, in the firmament of thy throne, their prayers, and their supplications, and do judgment for them:

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, that have sinned against thee, and all their iniquities, by which they have transgressed against thee: and give them mercy before them that have made them captives, 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 thy inheritance, whom thou hast brought out of the land 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.

That thy eyes may be open to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, to hear them in all things for which they shall call upon 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 to thyself for an inheritance from among all the people of the earth, as thou hast spoken by Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.

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 came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he rose from before the altar of the Lord: for he had fixed both knees on the ground, and had spread his hands towards heaven.

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

And he stood and blessed all the assembly 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 the Lord, who hath given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed so much as one word of all the good things that he promised by his servant Moses.

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

The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers, and not leave 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.

But may he incline our hearts to himself, that we may walk in all his ways, and keep his commandments, and his ceremonies, and all his judgments 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, wherewith I have prayed before the Lord, he nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that he may do judgment for his servant, and for his people Israel day by day:

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

That all the people of the earth may know, that the Lord he is God, and there is no other besides him.

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.

Let our hearts also be perfect with the Lord our God, that we may walk in his statutes, and 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 him, offered victims before the Lord.

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 slew victims of peace offerings, which he sacrificed to the Lord, two and twenty thousand oxen, and hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king, and the children of Israel dedicated the temple of the Lord.

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.

In that day the king sanctified the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered the holocaust, and sacrifice, and fat of the peace offerings: because the brazen altar that was before the Lord, was too little to receive the holocaust, and sacrifice, and 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 Solomon made at the same time a solemn feast, and all Israel with him, a great multitude from the entrance of Emath to the river of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven days, that is, 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.

And on the eighth day he sent away the people: and they blessed the king, and went to their dwellings rejoicing, and glad in heart for all the good things that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.