2 Nyakati 32

1 Baada ya mambo haya na matendo haya ya uaminifu, Senakeribu, mfalme wa Ashuru, akaja na kuingia Yuda. Alipiga kambi kwa ajili ya kuivamia miji yenye ngome, ambayo alikusudia kuiteka kwa ajili yake.

After these things done in faithfulness, came Sennacherib king of Assyria, —and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.

2 Sedekia alipoona kwamba Senakeribu amekuja na kwamba amedhamiria kupigana zidi ya Yerusalemu,

And, when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, —and that, his face, was—to war, against Jerusalem,

3 aliwashirikisha viongozi wake na watu wake wenye nguvu kuyazuia maji ya chemichemi yaliyokuwa nje ya mji; waalimsaidia kufanya hivyo.

he took counsel with his captains and his heroes, to stop the waters of the fountains, which were outside the city, —and they helped him.

4 Kwa hiyo watu wengi wakakusanyika na kuyazuia maji ya chemichemi zote na mikondo yote amabayo ilikuwa inatiririka katikati ya nchi. wakasema, “Kwa nini mfalme wa Ashuru aje na kupata maji mengi?”

And there were gathered together much people, so they stopped all the fountains, and the torrent that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, —Wherefore should the kings of Assyria come, and find many waters?

5 Hezekia akijipa ujasiri na kuujeenga ukuta wote uliokuwa umeangushwa chini. Akaijenga minara mirefu, na pia ukuta mwingine nje. Pia akaiimarisha Milo katika mji wa Dudi, na akafanya kiasi kikubwa cha silaha na ngao. (Maanshi ya kale yanasema hivi: “Badala ya, “akajenga minara amirefu”, baadhi ya matoleo ya zamani na kisasa yanasema, “akajenga minara mirefu juu yake”, Hii ni juu ya ukuta).

And he took courage, and built all the wall that was broken down and carried up thereon towers, and, on the outside, another wall, and strengthened Millo, the city of David, -and made weapons in abundance, and bucklers,

6 Akaweka maamri jeshi juu wa watu. Akawakusanya pamoja kwake katika sehemu pana kwenye lango la mji na akasema kwao kwa ujasiri. Akasema,

and set captains of war over the people, —and gathered them together unto him in the broadway of the gate of the city, and spake unto their heart, saying, —

7 “Muwe imara na wenye ujasiri mzuri. Msiogope wala kukata tamaa kwa sababu ya mfalme wa Ashuru na jeshi lote ambalo liko naye, kwa maana kuna mtu yuko pamoja nasi ambaye ni mkuu kuliko

Be strong and bold, do not fear neither be dismayed, because of the king of Assyria, nor because of all the multitude that is with him, —for, with us, is One greater than with him:

8 walio naye mfalme wa Ashuru. walionaye ni jeshi la mwili tu, lakini aliye nasi ni Yahwe, Mungu wetu, kwa ajili ya kutusaidia, na kupiagana vita vyetu.” Kisha watu wakajifariji wenyewe kwa maneno ya Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda.

with him, is an arm of flesh, but, with us, is Yahweh our God, to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people leaned upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

9 Baada ya hayo, Senakeribu, mfalme wa Ashuru, aliwatuma watumishi wake kwenda Yetusalemu (sasa alikuwa mbe ya Lakishi, na jeshi lake lote lilikuwa pamoja naye), kwa Hezekia, mfaalme wa Yuda, na watu wote wa Yuda walikuwa Yerusalemu. Akasema,

After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants towards Jerusalem, himself, being near Lachish, and all his imperial might with him, —unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that was in Jerusalem, saying:

10 “Hivi ndivyo Senakeribu, mfalme wa Ashuru, anasema: Ni kitu gani mnategemea kwa ajili ya kuhimili uvamizi katika Yerusalemu?

Thus, saith Sennacherib, king of Assyria, -Upon what, are, ye, trusting, that ye are awaiting the siege in Jerusalem?

11 Je, Hezekia hawapotoshi ninyi, ili kwamba awatoe kufa kwa njaa na kiu, anapowaambia, “Yahwe Mungu wetu atatuokoa na mkono wa mfalme wa Ashuru?

Is not, Hezekiah, persuading you, so as to deliver you up to die with hunger and with thirst, saying, —Yahweh our God, will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

12 Je, siyo Hezekia yule yule ambaye amezipeleka juu sehemu zake na madhabahu zake na kuwaamuru Yuda na Yerusalemu, juu ya madhabahu moja lazima muabudu, na juu yake lazima mchome sadaka zenu?

Is it not, the same Hezekiah, who hath removed his high places, and his altars, —and hath given word to Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Before one altar, shall ye bow yourselves down, and, thereupon, shall ye burn incense?

13 Je, hamjui mimi na babu zangu tulifanya nini kwa makundi ya wote wa inchi zingine? Je, miungu ya watu wa hizo nchi iliweza kwa njia yoyote kuziokoa nchi zao zidi ya nguvu zangu?

Will ye not take note, what I have done, I and my fathers, to all the peoples of the countries? Have the gods of the nations of the countries been, at all able, to deliver their country, out of my hand?

14 Miongoni mwa miungu yote ya mataifa hayo amabayo babu zangu waliwatekeza, je, kulikuwa na muungu yeyote aliyeweza kuwaokoa watu wake kutoka kwenye mkono wangu? Itakuwaje Mungu wenu aweze kuwakoa ninyi zidi ya nguvu zangu?

Who, among all the gods of these nations whom my fathers devoted to destruction, hath ever been able to deliver his people out of my hand, —that your god should be able to deliver you out of my hand?

15 Sasa msimuruhusu Hezekia awadanganye au kuwashawishi katika njia hii. Msimwamini, kwa maana hakuna muungu wa taifa lolote au ufalme amewahi kuwaokoa watu wake nje ya mkono wangu, au nje ya mkono wa babu zangu. Sembuse na Mungu wenu kwa namna gani atawaokoa na mkono wangu?

Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah beguile you nor persuade you thus, neither do ye believe him. For no, god, of any nation or kingdom hath ever been able to deliver his people out of my hand, or out of the hand of my fathers, -how much less shall, your gods, deliver you, out of my hand?

16 Watumishi wa Senakeribu hata walinena mabaya zaidi juu ya Yahwe Mungu na juu ya mtumishi wake Hezekia.

And, yet more, spake his servants, against Yahweh, God, —and against Hezekiah his servant.

17 Senakeribu pia akandika barua ili kumdhihaki Yahwe, Mungu wa Israeli, na kunena kinyume naye. Alisema, “Kama ambavyo miungu ya mataifa haikuwaokoa watu wake kutoka kwenye mkono wangu, hivyo hivyo na Mungu wa Hezekia hatawaokoa watu wake kutoka kwenye mkono wangu.”

Letters, also wrote he, to scoff at Yahweh God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, Like the gods of the nations of the countries, who delivered not their people out of my hand, so, shall the god of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand.

18 Wakawalilia kwa lugha ya Wayahudi watu wa Yerusalemu waliokuwa juu ya ukuta, ili kuwaogopesha na kuwasumbua, ili kwamba waweze kuuteka mji.

Then cried they out, with a loud voice, in the Jews’ language, unto the people of Jerusalem who were upon the wall, to affright them, and to terrify them, —to the end they might capture the city.

19 Wakamnenea Mungu wa Yerusalemu kama walivyowanenea miungu wa Dunia, ambao ni kazi ya mikono ya wanadamu tu.

And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, —as against the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of the hands of men.

20 Hezekia, mfalme, na Isaya mwana wa Amozi, nabii, wakaomba kwa sababu ya jambo hili na wakalia hadi mbinguni.

And Hezekiah the king and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed concerning this, -and made outcry unto the heavens,

21 Yahwe akatuma malaika, ambaye aliwaua wanaume wa kupigana vita, majemedari, na maakida wa mfalme katika kambi. Kwa hiyo Senakeribu akarudi katika nchi yake akiwa na uso wa aibu. Alipokuwa ameenda katika nyumba ya muungu wake, baadhi ya watoto wake wakamuua huko kwa upanga.

So Yahweh sent a messenger, who cut off every hero of valour, and chief ruler and captain, in the camp of the king of Assyria, —and he returned with shame of face to his own land, and, when he entered the house of his god, then, the issue of his own body—there, caused him to fall by the sword.

22 Katika namna hii, Yahwe akamwokoa Hezekia na wakazi wa Yerusalemu kutoka kwenye mkono wa Senakeribu, mfalme wa Ashuru, na kutoka kwenye mikono ya wengine, na akawapa pumzika juu ya kila upande. (Maandishi ya kale yanasema hivi: badala ya “akawapa pumziko juu ya kila pande”, baadhi ya matoleo ya zamani na ya kisasa yanasema, “akawaongoza juu ya kila pande”).

Thus did Yahweh save Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem out of the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria, and out of the hand of every one, —and gave them rest on every side.

23 Wengi walikuwa wakileta sadaka kwa Yahwe katika Yarusalemu, na zawadi za thamani kwa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda, kwa hiyo aliinuliwa mbele za macho ya mataifa yote toka wakati huo na kuendelea.

And, many, were bringing in a present unto Yahweh, to Jerusalem, and precious things, unto Hezekiah king of Judah, —so that he was exalted in the eyes of all the nations, from thenceforth.

24 Katika siku hizo Hezekia akaugua hadi hatua ya kufa. Akaomba kwa Yahwe, ambaye alisema kwake na kumpa ishara kwamba angeponywa.

In those days, was Hezekiah sick unto death, —and, when he prayed unto Yahweh, he was entreated of him and, a wonderful token, he gave him.

25 Lakini Hezekia hakumlipa Yahwe kwa ajili ya msaada uliotolewa kwake, kwa maana moyo wake uliinuliwa juu.

But, not according to the benefit done unto him, did Hezekiah make return, for uplifted was his heart, —and so there came upon him, wrath, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

26 Kwa hiyo hasira ikaja juu yake, na juu ya Yuda na Yerusalemu. Hata hivyo, baadaye Hezekia alijinyenyekesha mwenyewe kwa jali ya kiburi cha moyo wake, wote Yeye na wakaaji wa Yerusalemu, hivyo hasira ya Yahwe haikuja juu yao wakati wa siku za Hezekia.

Then Hezekiah humbled himself, for the uplifting of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, —so that the wrath of Yahweh came not upon them, in the days of Hezekiah.

27 Hezekia alikuwa na utajiri mwingi sana na heshima kubwa. Alijipatia mwenyewe vyumba vya kuhifadhia kwa ajili ya fedha, dhahabu, vito vya thamani, na kwa ajili ya manukato, na kwa ajili ya ngao na na vyombo vyote vya thamani pia.

And it came to pass that, Hezekiah, had riches and honour in great abundance, —and, treasuries, made he for himself—for silver and for gold and for costly stones, and for spices and for precious things, and for all utensils to be coveted;

28 Pia alikuwa na nyumba za maghala kwa ajili ya mavuno ya nafaka, divai mpya, na mafuta, na malisho kwa ajili ya aina zote za wanyama.

storehouses also, for the increase of corn, and new wine and oil, —and cribs for every kind of beast, and cribs for the flocks;

29 Pia alikuwa na makundi katika mazizi. Zaidi ya hayo, alijipatia mwenyewe miji na makundi ya na ng'ombe kwa wingi, kwa maana Mungu alaikuwa amempa afya tele. (Maandishi ya kale yanasema hivi: Badala ya “miji” baadji ya matoleo ya kisasa yanasema “punda”, na baadhi mengine ya kisasa yanaacaha neno nzima)

and, cities, made he for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds, in abundance, —for God had given him exceeding great wealth.

30 Alikuwa ni Hezekia huyu huyu ambaye alisimamisha chemi chemi ya juu ya maji ya Gihoni, na aliye ileta moja kwa moja chini upande wa magharibi mwa mji wa Daudi. Hezekia alifanikiwa katika miradi yake yote.

And, the same Hezekiah, stopped up the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down the west side of the city of David, —and Hezekiah prospered in all his work.

31 Hata hivyo, katika jambo la mabolozi wa wakuu wa Babeli, waliotumwa kwake kuwauliza waliofahamu, kuhusu ishara za miujiza iliyokuwa imefanywa katika nchi, Mungu alimwachia mwenyewe, ili kumjaribu, na kujua yote yaliyokuwa katika moyo wake.

Yet verily, with regard to the ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire concerning the wonderful token which came to pass in the land, God left him, —to prove him, to take note of all that was in his heart.

32 Kwa mambo mengine kuhusu Hezekia, pamoja na matendo yake ya uaminifu wa agano, unaweza kuona kwamba yameandikwa katika Maono ya Nabii Isaya Mwana wa Amozi, na katika kitabu cha wafalme wa Yuda na Israeli.

But, the rest of the story of Hezekiah, and his lovingkindnesses, there they are, written in the visions of Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, in the book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

33 Hezekia akalala pamaoja na babu zake, na wakamzika katika mlima wa makaburi ya vizazi vya Daudi. Yuda wote na wakaaji wa Yerusalemu wakamheshimu katika kifo chake. Manase mwanaye akawa mfalme katika nafasi yake.

And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him, honour, in his death, —and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.