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’ [houses] of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD 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 unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which 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 the LORD, and the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring 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 congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told 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 the LORD unto its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even 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 spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark 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 the staves were so long 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, 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.

There was nothing in the ark save 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 holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

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

so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

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

Then spake Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

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

I have surely built thee an house of habitation, a place for thee to dwell 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 about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: and all the 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 the LORD, the God of Israel, which spake 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 an house, 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.

Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for 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.

But the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thine 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 for 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 the LORD hath established his word that he spake; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for 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 there have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, 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 the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward 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 he said, O LORD, the 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 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: yea, thou spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is 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.'

Now therefore, O LORD, the 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 children 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.

Now therefore, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest 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 in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded!

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 thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD 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 toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof thou hast said, My name shall be there: to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray 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 thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place; 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 sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and he come [and] swear 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 heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give 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 be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; if they 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 heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which 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 heaven is 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, when thou dost afflict 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 heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send 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 in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting [or] mildew, locust [or] caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever 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 and supplication soever be made by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and 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 heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even 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 in 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 -

Moreover concerning the stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come 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 heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as doth 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 whatsoever way thou shalt send them, and they pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

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

then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

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 sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not, ) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, far off 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.'

yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have dealt wickedly;

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.

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

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

then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause;

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 which have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee; and give them compassion before 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 be 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.

that thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them whensoever they cry 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 didst separate them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of 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 was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

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

And he stood, and blessed all the 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 the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

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: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

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 unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and 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 made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require:

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

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD, he is God; 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.

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD 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 sacrifice 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 offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house 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.

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered the burnt offering, and the meal offering, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offering, and the meal offering, 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.

So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even 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 unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David his servant, and to Israel his people.