1 Samweli 8
1 Samweli alipozeeka, aliwaweka watoto wake wawe waamuzi juu ya Israeli.
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.
2 Mtoto wake wa kwanza aliitwa Yoeli, na mtoto wake wa pili aliitwa Abiya. Hawa walikuwa waamuzi katika Bersheba.
And the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second Abiyah: they judged in Beer-sheba'.
3 Watoto wake hawakuenenda katika njia za baba yao, bali walipiga mbio kutafuta mapato ya udhalimu. Walipokea rushwa na na kupotosha hukumu.
But his sons walked not in his ways, and they inclined after their own advantage, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
4 Ndipo wazee wote wa Israeli walikutana pamoja na kumwendea Samweli huko Rama.
Then did all the elders of Israel assemble themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5 Wakamwambia, “Angalia, wewe umekuwa mzee, na watoto wako hawaenendi katika njia zako. Tuchagulie mfalme wakutuamua kama yalivyo mataifa yote.”
And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons have not walked in thy ways: now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 Lakini haikumpendeza Sameli waliposema, “Utupatie mfalme wa kutuamua.” Hivyo akamwomba BWANA.
But the thing was displeasing in the eyes of Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
7 Na BWANA akamwambia Samweli, “Sikiliza sauti ya watu kwa kila jambo wanalokwambia; kwa sababu hwajakukataa wewe, bali wamenikataa mimi nisiwe mfalme wao.
And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they may say unto thee; for not thee have they rejected, but me have they rejected, that I should not reign over them.
8 Sasa wanafanya kama vile walivyotenda tangu siku ile nilipowatoa huko Misri, kwa kuniacha, na kuwatumikia miungu mingine, na ndivyo hivyo pia wanakufanyia na wewe.
In accordance with all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even until this day, when they forsook me, and served other gods: so do they also unto thee.
9 Basi sasa uwasikilize; lakini uwaonye sawasawa na uwafahamishe tabia ya mfalme atakaye waongoza.
And now hearken unto their voice: nevertheless thou must still solemnly forewarn them, and tell them the manner of the king that will reign over them.
10 Kwa hiyo Samweli akawaambia watu waliokuwa wakiomba mfalme maneno yote ya BWANA.
And Samuel said all the words of the Lord unto the people that had asked of him a king.
11 Akasema, “Hivi ndivyo jinsi mfalme atakavyowatawala.
And he said, This will be the manner of the king that will reign over you: Your sons will he take, and appoint them for himself with his chariots, and among his horsemen; and they will have to run before his chariot;
12 Atawachukua watoto wenu wa kiume na kuwaweka juu ya magari ya vita na kuwa wapanda farasi wake, na kukimbia mbele ya magari yake. Atawaweka ma- kapteni wake juu ya maelfu ya askari, na ma-kapteni juu ya askari hamsini. Wengine atawafanya wakulima wamashamba yake, wengine wavunaji wa mazao yake, wengine watatengeneza silaha zake na zana za magari yake.
And to appoint for himself captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and to plough his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.
13 Naye atawachukua binti zenu kuwa watengeneza manukato, wapishi, na waoka mikate.
And your daughters will he take for ointment makers, and for cooks, and for bakers.
14 Atachukua mashamba yenu mazuri, mashamba ya mizabibu, na yale ya mizeituni na kuwapa watumishi wake.
And your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive-yards, yea the best, will he take, and give them to his servants.
15 Atachukua moja ya kumi ya nafaka zenu na mizabibu na na kuwapa maofisa na watumishi wake.
And of your seeds, and of your vineyards will he take the tenth, and give [the same] to his officers, and to his servants.
16 Atawachukua watumwa wenu na wajakazi wenu na vijana wenu waliowazuri na punda wenu; atawatumikisha wote kwa ajili yake.
And your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and your best young men, and your asses will he take, and employ [them] for his work.
17 Atawatoza moja ya kumi ya mifugo yenu, na mtakuwa watumwa wake.
Of your flocks will he take the tenth: and ye yourselves will become his servants.
18 Ndipo mtalia siku ile kwa sababu ya mfalme wenu mliyemchagua kwa ajili yenu; lakini siku ile BWANA hatawajibu
And ye will cry out on that day because of your king whom ye will have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.
19 Lakini watu walikataa kumsikiliza Samweli; wakasema, “Hapana!” Lazima awepo mfalme juu yetu.
Nevertheless the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but a king shall be over us;
20 Ili tuweze kuwa kama mataifa mengine yote, na hivyo mfalme wetu aweze kutuamua na atoke mbele yetu na atupiganie vita yetu.
That we also may ourselves be like all the nations: and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
21 Naye Samweli aliposikia maneno yote ya watu, akayarudia katika masiko ya BWANA.
And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he spoke them before the ears of the Lord.
22 BWANA akamwambia Samweli, “Sikiliza sauti yao na uwafanyie mfalme.” Hivyo Samweli akawaambia watu wa Israeli, “Kila mtu na arudi mjini kwake.”
And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and appoint them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
