< Danieli 1 >

1 Katika mwaka wa tatu wa utawala wa Yehoyakimu mfalme wa Yuda, Nebukadneza mfalme wa Babeli alikuja Yerusalemu na kuuzunguka mji ili kuzuia mahitaji yake yote.
IN THE third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 Bwana alimpa Nebukadneza ushindi dhidi ya Yehoyakimu mfalme wa Yuda, na alimpatia vitu vitakatifu kutoka nyumba ya Mungu. Alivipeleka vitu hivyo mpaka katika nchi ya Babeli, kwa nyumba ya mungu wake, na aliviweka vitu vitakatifu katika hazina ya mungu wake.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god, and the vessels he brought into the treasure-house of his god.
3 Mfalme akamwambia Ashipenazi, afisa wake mkuu, awalete baadhi ya watu wa Israeli, wa familia ya kifalme na za kiungwana -
And the king spoke unto Ashpenaz his chief officer, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, and of the seed royal, and of the nobles,
4 vijana wasio na hila, wenye mwonekano wa kuvutia, wenye ujuzi katika hekima yote, wenye kujawa na ufahamu na weledi, na wenye sifa za kutumika katika ikulu ya mfalme. Alitakiwa kuwafundisha maandiko na lugha ya Babeli.
youths in whom was no blemish, but fair to look on, and skilful in all wisdom, and skilful in knowledge, and discerning in thought, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 Mfalme aliwatengea kwa ajili yao fungu kutoka katika chakula chake kizuri kwa kila siku na katika divai aliyokunywa. Vijana hawa walitakiwa kufunzwa kwa miaka mitatu, na baada ya hapo, wangeweza kumtumikia mfalme.
And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Miongoni mwao walikuwa ni Danieli, Hanania, Mishaeli, na Azaria, baadhi ya watu wa Yuda.
Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 Afisa mkuu aliwapa majina: Danieli alimwita Belteshaza, Hanania alimwita Shadraka, Mishaeli alimwita Meshaki, na Azaria alimwita Abedinego.
And the chief of the officers gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
8 Lakini Danieli alinuia katika akili yake kuwa asingejitia ujanisi mwenyewe kwa chakula kizuri cha mfalme wala kwa divai ambayo alikunywa.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the officers that he might not defile himself.
9 Basi, aliomba ruhusa kutoka kwa afisa mkuu ili kwamba asije akajitia uchafu yeye mwenyewe. Hivyo, Mungu alimpa Danieli kibali na huruma kupitia katika heshima ambayo afisa mkuu alikuwa nayo kwake.
And God granted Daniel mercy and compassion in the sight of the chief of the officers.
10 Afisa mkuu alimwambia Danieli, “Ninamwogopa bwana wangu mfalme. Ameagiza aina ya chakula na vinywaji mnavyotakiwa kutumia. Kwa nini awaone ninyi mkiwa mnaonekana vibaya kuliko vijana wengine wa umri wenu? Mfalme aweza kukitwaa kichwa changu kwa sababu yenu.
And the chief of the officers said unto Daniel: 'I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces sad in comparison with the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king.'
11 Kisha Daniel akamwambia msimamizi ambaye afisa mkuu alikuwa amemweka juu ya Danieli, Hanania, Mishaeli, na Azaria.
Then said Daniel to the steward, whom the chief of the officers had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
12 Alisema, “Tafadhari tujaribuni, sisi watumishi wako kwa siku kumi. Tupatieni tu mboga mboga za kula na maji ya kunywa.
'Try thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Kisha ulinganishe mwonekano wetu na mwonekano wa vijana wanaokula vyakula vya mfalme, na mtutendee, sisi watu wako kulingana na kile unachokiona.”'
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.'
14 Hivyo msimamizi alikubaliana naye kufanya hivi, na aliwajaribu kwa siku kumi.
So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and tried them ten days.
15 Katika mwisho wa siku kumi mwonekano wao ulikuwa ni wenye afya nzuri kuliko wa wale vijana waliokula vyakula vya kifalme.
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's food.
16 Basi, msimamizi aliliondoa fungu lao la chakula na vivywaji vyao na walipewa mboga mboga tu.
So the steward took away their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
17 Na kuhusu vijana hawa nne Mungu aliwapa uelewa na ufahamu katika maandiko yote na hekima, na Danieli aliweza kupambanua aina zote za maono na ndoto.
Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Katika mwisho wa muda uliokuwa umepangwa na mfalme kuwaleta ndani, afisa mkuu aliwaleta mbele ya Nebukadneza.
And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the chief of the officers brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 Mfalme aliongea nao, na miongoni mwa kundi lote hapo hapakuwa na wa kuwalinganisha na akina Danieli, Hanania, Mishaeli, na Azaria. Walisimama mbele ya mfalme, wakiwa tayari kumtumikia.
And the king spoke with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore stood they before the king.
20 Katika kila swali la hekima na ufahamu ambalo mfalme aliwauliza, aliwakuta wakiwa na uwezo mara kumi kuliko waganga wote na wale waliojidai kusema na wafu, waliokuwa katika ufalme wake wote.
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.
21 Danieli alikuwa hapo mpaka mwaka wa kwanza wa Mfalme Koreshi.
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

< Danieli 1 >