< Danieli 4 >

1 Mfalme Nebukadneza aliituma amri hii kwa watu wote, mataifa, na lugha walioishi katika nchi: “Na amani yenu na iongezeke.
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell on all the earth, May your welfare increase.
2 Imeonekana vizuri kwangu kuwaambia juu ya ishara na maajabu ambayo Mungu Mkuu Aliye juu amenifanyia.
The signs and wonders which the most high God hath wrought toward me I find it for good to make known.
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—how great are they! and his wonders— how mighty are they! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his rule is over every generation.
4 Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa ninaishi kwa furaha katika nyumba yangu, na nilikuwa nikifurahia mafanikio katika ikulu yangu.
Nebuchadnezzar 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 which terrified me; and the thoughts upon my couch 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.
Therefore made I a decree to bring before me all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known unto 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 up the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and the dream did I recite before them; but its interpretation did they not make known unto me.
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.
But at the last came up before me Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and the dream did I recite before him, [saying, ]
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.
O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, of whom I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and that no secret is concealed from thee, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, with its interpretation.
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.
And the visions of my head on my couch were, [that] I saw, and behold, there was a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.
11 Mti ulikua na ukawa wenye nguvu. Na sehemu ya juu yake ilifika mbinguni, uliweza kuonekana kutoka miisho ya dunia yote.
The tree grew, and was strong, and its height reached unto heaven, and it was visible to the end 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 foliage was splendid, and its fruit large, and on it was food for all: under it sought the beasts of the field for shade, and in its boughs dwelt the fowls of heaven, and from it was fed all flesh.
13 Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani kwangu, niliona katika akili zangu, mjumbe mtakatifu alishuka kutoka mbinguni.
I saw in the visions of my head on my couch, and, behold, a watcher who was also 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 called with might, and thus he said, Hew down the trees and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts flee away from under it, and the fowls from among 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 body of its roots in the earth, but [bound] with fetters of iron and copper, among the grass of the field; and let it be made wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the beasts on the herbage 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 not to be human, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times elapse 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.'
Through the resolve of the watchers is this decree, and by the order of the holy ones is this decision: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and that he can give it to whomsoever he pleaseth, and can set up over it the lowest of men.
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.”
This dream have I, king Nebuchadnezzar, seen; but thou, O Belteshazzar, relate its interpretation, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able; for 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 was Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, astounded for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king then commenced, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or its interpretation, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, O that the dream might be for those that hate thee, and its interpretation for 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 that thou hast seen, which grew, and was strong, the height of which reached unto the heaven, and which was visible to all the 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 -
The foliage of which was splendid, and the fruit of which was large, and on which was food for all; under which dwelt the beasts of the field, and in the boughs of which nestled the fowls of the heaven: —
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, that art grown and become strong; and thy greatness is grown apace, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion is to the end 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 coming down from heaven, who said, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the body of its roots in the earth, but [bound] in fetters of iron and copper, among the grass of the field; and let it be made wet with the dew of heaven, and let its portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times elapse over it: —
24 Mfalme, hii ni tafsiri yake. Ni agizo la Yeye Aliye Juu ambalo limekufikia, bwana wangu mfalme.
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the resolve of the Most High, which will come over 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 will drive thee away from men, and with the beasts of the field is thy dwelling to be, and they will suffer thee to eat herbs like oxen, and they will suffer thee to be made wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times will elapse over thee; until that thou wilt know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he pleaseth.
26 Kama ilivyoamriwa kwamba kukiacha kisiki cha mizizi ya mti, kwa njia hii ufalme wako utarudishiwa katika kipindi ambacho utajifunza kwamba mbingu inatawala.
And whereas they ordered to leave the body of the roots of the tree: thy kingdom will remain unto thee, as soon as thou wilt know that the Heavens do rule.
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.”
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be agreeable unto thee, and atone for thy sins by righteousness, and for thy iniquities by showing kindness to the poor: perhaps thy prosperity may [thereby] endure long.
28 Vitu hivi vyote vilitokea kwa mfalme Nebukadneza.
All this came over king Nebuchadnezzar.
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 upon the royal palace at 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?”
The king commenced, and said, Is not this Babylon the great, that I myself have built for a royal residence by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
31 Wakati maneno yakali katika midomo ya mfalme, sauti ilisikika kutoka mbinguni: “Mfalme Nebukadneza, imetangazwa kwako kwamba ufalme huu umeondolewa kutoka kwako.
The word was still in the king's mouth, when there fell a voice from heaven, [saying, ] To thee it is said, O king Nebuchadnezzar, The kingdom departeth 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 from men will they drive thee away, and with the beasts of the field shall thy dwelling be; herbs like oxen will they suffer thee to eat, and seven times shall elapse over thee: until thou wilt know that the Most High ruleth over the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he pleaseth.
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.
At the same hour the word was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and from men was he driven away, and herbs like oxen had he to eat, and with the dew of heaven was his body made wet: till his hair was grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails were 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.
But at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes unto heaven, and my understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and glorified the Everliving, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and whose kingdom is over every generation;
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 [by whom] all the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nought; and [who] according to his pleasure doth with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth; while there is none that can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
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 understanding returned unto me; and with the glory of my kingdom, my honor and my splendor returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought for me: and I was replaced in my kingdom, and additional greatness was added unto 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.
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and glorify the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and whose ways are justice; and who is able to bring low those that walk in pride.

< Danieli 4 >