Danieli 4
1 Mfalme Nebukadneza aliituma amri hii kwa watu wote, mataifa, na lugha walioishi katika nchi: “Na amani yenu na iongezeke.
Nabuchodonosor the king, to all peoples, nations, and tongues, that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you.
2 Imeonekana vizuri kwangu kuwaambia juu ya ishara na maajabu ambayo Mungu Mkuu Aliye juu amenifanyia.
The most high God hath wrought signs and wonders toward me. It hath seemed good to me therefore to publish
3 Ni kwa namna gani Ishara zake ni kubwa, na ni kwa namna gani maajabu yake yana nguvu! Ufalme wake ni ufalme unaodumu milele, na utawala wake hudumu kizazi hadi kizazi.”
His signs, because they are great: and his wonders, because they are mighty: and his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, I and his power to all generations.
4 Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa ninaishi kwa furaha katika nyumba yangu, na nilikuwa nikifurahia mafanikio katika ikulu yangu.
I, Nabuchodonosor, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace:
5 Lakini ndoto niliyoiota ilifanya niogope. Nilipokuwa nimejilaza pale, taswira niliyoiona na maono katika akili yangu yalinitaabisha.
I saw a dream that affrighted me: and my thoughts in my bed, and the visions of my head troubled me.
6 Basi nilitoa agizo la kuwaleta mbele yangu watu wote wa Babeli waliokuwa na hekima ili kwamba waweze kunitafsiria ndoto.
Then I set forth a decree, that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought in before me, and that they should shew me the interpretation of the dream.
7 Kisha walikuja wachawi, wale ambao hudai kuzungumza na wafu, watu wenye hekima, na wasoma nyota. Niliwaambia juu ya ndoto, lakini hawakuweza kunitafsiria.
Then came in the diviners, the wise men, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers, and I told the dream before them: but they did not shew me the interpretation thereof:
8 Bali mwishoni Danieli aliingia ndani - yeye ambaye huitwa Belteshaza jina la mungu wangu, na ambaye ndani yake kuna roho ya miungu mitakatifu - na nilimwambia juu ya ndoto.
Till their colleague Daniel came in before me, whose name is Baltassar, according to the name of my god, who hath in him the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him.
9 “Belteshaza, mkuu wa wachawi, ninajua kuwa roho ya miungu watakatifu iko ndani yako na ya kwamba hakuna siri iliyo ngumu kwako. Niambie kile nilichokiona katika ndoto yangu na nini maana yake.
Baltassar, prince of the diviners, because I know that thou hast in thee the spirit of the holy gods, and that no secret is impossible to thee: tell me the visions of my dreams that I have seen, and the interpretation of them.
10 Haya ndiyo niliyoyaona katika akili zangu nilipokuwa nimejilaza katika kitanda changu: Nilitazama, na kulikuwa na mti katikati ya dunia, na urefu wake ulikuwa ni mkubwa sana.
This was the vision of my head in my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was exceeding great.
11 Mti ulikua na ukawa wenye nguvu. Na sehemu ya juu yake ilifika mbinguni, uliweza kuonekana kutoka miisho ya dunia yote.
The tree was great, and strong: and the height thereof reached unto heaven: the sight thereof was even to the ends of all the earth.
12 Majani yake yalikuwa mazuri, matunda yake yalikuwa ni mengi, na juu yake kulikuwa na chakula kwa ajili ya wote. Wanyama wa mwituni walipata kivuli chini yake, na ndege wa angani waliisha katika matawi yake. Viumbe vyote hai vililishwa katika mti huo.
Its leaves were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much: and in it was food for all: under it dwelt cattle, and beasts, and in the branches thereof the fowls of the air had their abode: and all flesh did eat of it.
13 Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani kwangu, niliona katika akili zangu, mjumbe mtakatifu alishuka kutoka mbinguni.
I saw in the vision of my head upon my bed, and behold a watcher, and a holy one came down from heaven.
14 Alipiga kelele na kusema, 'Ukateni mti na yafyekeni matawi yake, yapukutisheni majani yake, na kuyasambaza matunda yake. Wanyama na wakimbie kutoka chini yake na ndege wapae mbali kutoka katika matawi yake.
He cried aloud, and said thus: Cut down the tree, and chop off the branches thereof: shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruits: let the beasts fly away that are under it, and the birds from its branches.
15 Mkiache kisiki cha mizizi yake katika nchi, mkifunge na fungu la chuma na shaba, katikati ya mche mororo wa shambani. Na kilowanishwe na umande wa kutoka mbinguni. Kiacheni kiishi na wanyama kati ya mimea ya ardhini.
Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, and let it be tied with a band of iron, and of brass, among the grass, that is without, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the wild beasts in the grass of the earth.
16 Akili yake na ibadilishwe kutoka akili ya kibinadamu, na apewe akili ya mnyama mpaka ipite miaka saba.
Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given him; and let seven times pass over him.
17 Uamuzi huu ni kutokana na amri iliyotolewa na mjumbe. Ni uamuzi uliofanya na yeye aliye mtakatifu ili kwamba hao walio hai wajue kwamba Mungu aliye juu sana anatawala juu ya falme za watu na huwapa kwa kila mmoja apendaye kumweka juu yao, hata kwa watu wale wanyenyekevu sana.'
This is the decree by the sentence of the watchers, and the word And demand of the holy ones; till the living know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; and he will give it to whomsoever it shall please him, and he will appoint the basest man over it.
18 Mimi, Mfalme Nebukadneza nilipata ndoto hii. Sasa, wewe Belteshaza, niambie tafsiri yake, kwasababu hakuna mtu mwenye hekima katika ufalme wangu anayeweza kunitafsiria. Lakini wewe unaweza kufanya hivyo, kwa kuwa roho ya miungu watakatifu iko ndani yako.”
I king Nabuchodonosor saw this dream: thou, therefore, O Baltassar, tell me quickly the interpretation: for all the wise men of my kingdom axe not able to declare the meaning of it to me: but thou art able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
19 Ndipo Danieli aliyeitwa pia Belteshaza, alihuzunishwa kwa muda, na mawazo yake yalimshitua. Mfalme akasema, “Belteshaza, usifadhaishwe na ndoto au tafsiri yake.” Belteshaza akajibu, “Bwana wangu, ndoto hii na iwe kwa ajili ya watu wanaokuchukia, na tafsiri yake na iwe kwa ajili ya adui zako.
Then Daniel, whose name was Baltassar, began silently to think within himself for about one hour: and his thoughts troubled him. But the king answering, said: Baltassar, let not the dream and the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Baltassar answered, and said: My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thy enemies.
20 Mti ule uliouona - uliokua na ukawa na wenye nguvu, na ambao sehemu yake ya juu ilifika hata mbinguni, na ambao waweza kuonekana kutoka miisho ya dunia yote -
The tree which thou sawest which was high and strong, whose height reached to the skies, and the sight thereof into all tire earth:
21 ambao majani yake ni mazuri, na matunda yake yalikuwa ni mengi, ili kwamba ndani yake kulikuwa na chakula cha wote, na chini yake wanyama wa mwituni walipata kivuli, na ndani yake ndege wa angani waliishi -
And the branches thereof were most beautiful, and its fruit exceeding much, and in it was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and the birds of the air had their abode in its branches.
22 huu mti ni wewe, mfalme, wewe uliyekua na kuwa na nguvu. Ukuu wako umeongezeka na kufika mbinguni, na mamlaka yako yamefika hata miisho ya dunia.
It is thou, O king, who art grown great and become mighty: for thy greatness hath grown, and hath reached to heaven, and thy power unto the ends of the earth.
23 Ewe mfalme, ulimwona mjumbe akishuka kutoka mbinguni na akisema, “Ukateni mti na uteketezeni, lakni kiacheni kisiki cha mizizi yake katika nchi, kifungeni kwa ukanda wa chuma na shaba, katikati ya mche mororo katika shamba. Na kilowanishwe na umande kutoka mbinguni. Kiache kiishi katika wanyama wa mwituni katika mashamba mpaka ipite miaka saba.'
And whereas the king saw a watcher, and a holy one come down from heaven, and say: Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, and let it be bound with iron and brass among the grass without, and let it be sprinkled with the dew of heaven, and let his feeding be with the wild beasts, till seven times pass over him.
24 Mfalme, hii ni tafsiri yake. Ni agizo la Yeye Aliye Juu ambalo limekufikia, bwana wangu mfalme.
This is the interpretation of the sentence of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king.
25 Utafukuzwa utoke miongoni mwa watu, na utaishi pamoja na wanyama wa mwituni huko mashambani. Utafanywa uwe unakula majani kama ng'ombe, na utalowanishwa na umande wa kutoka mbinguni, miaka saba itapita mpaka pale utakapokiri kwamba Mungu Aliye Juu anatawala juu ya falme zote za watu na ya kwamba yeye humpa falme hizo mtu yeyote amtakaye.
They shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle and with wild beasts, and thou shalt eat grass as an ox, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven: and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 Kama ilivyoamriwa kwamba kukiacha kisiki cha mizizi ya mti, kwa njia hii ufalme wako utarudishiwa katika kipindi ambacho utajifunza kwamba mbingu inatawala.
But whereas he commanded, that the stump of the roots thereof, that is, of the tree, should be left: thy kingdom shall remain to thee after thou shalt have known that power is from heaven.
27 Hivyo basi, mfalme, ushauri wangu na ukubalike kwako. Acha kutenda dhambi na utende haki. Geuka uache uovu wako wa kuonesha huruma kwa walionewa, na itakuwa kwamba mafanikio yako yataongezwa.”
Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and redeem thou thy sins with alms, and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor: perhaps he will forgive thy offences.
28 Vitu hivi vyote vilitokea kwa mfalme Nebukadneza.
All these things came upon king Nabuchodonosor.
29 Baada ya miezi wa kumi na miwili alipokuwa akitembea juu ya dari la ikulu ya kifalme katika Babeli,
At the end of twelve months he was walking in the palace of Babylon.
30 na alisema, “Je hii si Babeli kuu, ambayo nimeijenga kwa ajili ya makao yangu ya kifalme, kwa ajili ya utukufu wa enzi yangu?”
And the king answered, and said: Is not this the great Babylon, which I have built to be the seat of the kingdom, by the strength of my power, and in the glory of my excellence?
31 Wakati maneno yakali katika midomo ya mfalme, sauti ilisikika kutoka mbinguni: “Mfalme Nebukadneza, imetangazwa kwako kwamba ufalme huu umeondolewa kutoka kwako.
And while the word was yet in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven: To thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, it is said: Thy kingdom shall pass from thee,
32 Utafukuziwa mbali kutoka miongoni mwa watu, na makao yao yatakuwa pamoja na wanyama wa mwitu katika mashamba. Utafanywa kulamajani kama ng'ombe. Miaka saba itapita mpaka pale utakapokiri kwamba Mungu Aliye Juu anatawala juu ya falme za watu na humpa falme mtu yeyote amtakaye.”
And they shall cast thee out from among men, and thy dwelling shall be with cattle and wild beasts: thou shalt eat grass like an ox, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 Agizo hili kinyume na Nebukadneza lilitekelezwa ghafla. Aliondolewa miongoni mwa watu. Alikula majani kama ng'ombe, na mwili wake ulilowa kwa umande wa kutoka mbinguni. Nywele zake zilirefuka kama manyoa ya tai, na makucha yake yalikuwa kama makucha ya ndege.
The same hour the word was fulfilled upon Nabuchodonosor, and he was driven away from among men, and did eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven: till his hairs grew like the feathers of eagles, and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 Na katika mwisho wa siku, mimi, Nebukadneza niliinua macho yangu kuelekea mbinguni, utimamu wa akili nilirudishiwa. “Nilimsifu Mungu Aliye Juu sana, na nilimheshimu na kumtukuza yeye aishiye milele. Kwa kuwa utawala wake ni wa milele, na ufalme wake unadumu katoka katika vizazi vyote hadi vizazi vyote.
Now at the end of the days, I Nabuchodonosor lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my sense was restored to me: and I blessed the most High, and I praised and glorified him that liveth for ever: for his power is an everlasting power, and his kingdom is to all generations.
35 Wenyeji wote wa duniani huhesabiwa na yeye kuwa bure; hufanya lolote limpendezalo miongoni mwa jeshi la mbinguni na wakazi wa dunia. Hakuna hata mmoja awezaye kumzuia au kumpa changamoto. Hakuna hata mmoja awezaye kumwambia, “Mbona umefanya hivi?”
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing before him: for he doth according to his will, I as well with the powers of heaven, as among the inhabitants of the earth: and there is none that can resist his hand, and say to him: Why hast thou done it?
36 Kwa wakati ule ule utimamu wa akili zangu uliponirudia, utukufu wangu na fahari yangu ilinirudia kwa ajili ya utukufu wa ufalme wangu. Washauri wangu na watu wenye heshima walitafuta msaada wangu. Nilirudishwa kwenye kiti changu cha enzi, na nilipewa ukuu zaidi.
At the same time my sense returned to me, and I came to the honour and glory of my kingdom: and my shape returned to me: and my nobles, and my magistrates sought for me, and I was restored to my kingdom: and greater majesty was added to me.
37 Sasa basi, mimi Nebukadneza, ninamsifu, ninamtukuza na kumheshimu mfalme wa mbinguni, kwa kuwa matendo yake yote ni ya haki, na njia zake ni za adili. Anaweza kuwashusha wale wanaotembea katika kiburi chao wenyewe.
Therefore I Nabuchodonosor do now praise, and magnify, and glorify the King of heaven: because all his works are true, and his ways judgments, and them that walk in pride he is able to abase.
