< 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 to all people, nations, and languages that dwell upon the whole earth. Peace be multiplied to you!
2 Imeonekana vizuri kwangu kuwaambia juu ya ishara na maajabu ambayo Mungu Mkuu Aliye juu amenifanyia.
I have thought it good to show the signs and wonders which the Most High God hath wrought toward me.
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.”
How great are his signs, and how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endureth from generation to generation.
4 Mimi, Nebukadneza, nilikuwa ninaishi kwa furaha katika nyumba yangu, na nilikuwa nikifurahia mafanikio katika ikulu yangu.
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease 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.
There I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon 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.
Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me; that they might make known to 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 scribes, the magicians, the Chaldaeans, and the astrologers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
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 Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, and I told him the dream.
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 scribes, since I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret is too hard for thee, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
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.
The visions of my head were these. I saw, and behold a tree in the midst, whose height was very 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 large and strong, and its height reached to heaven, and it might be seen to the end of the whole 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.
The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
13 Nilipokuwa nimelala kitandani kwangu, niliona katika akili zangu, mjumbe mtakatifu alishuka kutoka mbinguni.
I saw, in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher, even 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 spake thus: Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches; shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit; let the beasts go away from 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.
Yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth, in bands of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and he shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and his portion shall be with the beasts in the grass of the field.
16 Akili yake na ibadilishwe kutoka akili ya kibinadamu, na apewe akili ya mnyama mpaka ipite miaka saba.
His heart shall be changed, and be no more that of a man, and a beast's heart shall be given him, and seven times shall 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.'
By a decision of the watchers is the decree, and by a command of the holy ones is the sentence; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over them 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 I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw, and do thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to 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 Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar, was amazed for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation thereof trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the signification of it to thine 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 large and strong, whose height reached to heaven, and which might be seen by 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 -
whose leaves were fair, and whose fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which all the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whoso branches the birds of heaven had their lodging, —
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 become great and strong; for thy greatness is immense, and reacheth to heaven, and thy dominion 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, even a holy one, coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down and destroy it, yet leave the stump of its roots in the earth, in bands of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and he shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and his portion shall be with the beasts of the field, 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, O king, and this is the decree 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 drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall let thee eat grass as oxen, and be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them 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.
And whereas it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, thy kingdom shall be sure to thee after thou shalt have acknowledged that Heaven ruleth.
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 break off thy sins by righteousness, and thy iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening out of thy tranquility.
28 Vitu hivi vyote vilitokea kwa mfalme Nebukadneza.
All this came upon 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 in the palace of the kingdom 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 spake and said, Is not this the great Babylon which I have built for the seat of the kingdom 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.
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven: “To thee it is said, O Nebuchadnezzar! the kingdom is departed 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 drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them 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 was the word fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, 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.
But at the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and whose kingdom endureth from generation to 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 all the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say to 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 reason returned to me, and also the glory of my kingdom, my honor, and my splendor returned to me; and my counsellors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and I received yet greater majesty.
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 honor the King of heaven; all whose works are truth and his ways justice; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.