Ezekieli 20
1 Ikawa ikaja katika mwaka wa saba, siku ya kumi ya mwezi wa tano, wazee wa Israeli wakaja kumuuliza Yahwe na kuketi mbele yangu.
On the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year, some of the elders of Israel came to ask advice from the Lord, and they sat down with me.
2 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
Then a message from the Lord came to me, saying,
3 “mwanadamu, tangaza kwa wazee wa Israeli na uwaambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Mmekuja kuniuliza swali? Kama niishivyo, sitaulizwa swali na ninyi! -hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.'
“Son of man, tell these elders of Israel that this is what the Lord God says: Have you come to ask my advice? As I live, I'm not going to answer you, declares the Lord God.
4 Je! Utawahukumu? Utamuhukumu, mwanadamu? Wajulishe kuhusu machukizo ya baba zao.
Are you going to condemn them—will you do that, son of man? Remind them about the disgusting things their forefathers did,
5 Waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika siku niliyoichagua Israeli na kuinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa uzao wa nyumba ya Yakobo, na kufanya kujulikana mimi mwenyewe kwao katika nchi ya Misri, wakati nilipoinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao. Nalisema, “Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu”-
and then tell them that this is what the Lord God says: At the time I chose Israel, I held up my hand and made a solemn promise to Jacob's descendants and revealed myself to them when they were in Egypt. I held up my hand and told them, ‘I am the Lord your God.’
6 siku hiyo niliinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwa ajili yao kwamba nitawatoa kutoka nchi ya Misri kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimeichagua kwa umakini kwa ajili yao. Ilikuwa ikitiririka maziwa na asali; ilikuwa nzuri sana utukufu miongoni mwa nchi mbali mbali.
I promised them on that day to lead them out of Egypt and take them to a country that I had chosen for them, a land flowing with milk and honey—better than any other country.
7 Nikawaambia, “Kila mtu atupilie mabli mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake na sanamu za Misri. Msijitie unajisi; mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
I told them: ‘All of you have to get rid of your disgusting pagan images. Don't make yourselves unclean by worshiping the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’
8 Lakini wameasi juu yangu hawakuwa tayari kunisikiliza. Kila mtu hakutupilia mbali mambo ya machukizo kutoka mbele ya macho yake wala kwa ajili ya sanamu za Misri, hivyo nikaona nimwage ghadhabu yangu juu yao kukamilisha hasira yangu miongoni mwao katikati ya nchi ya Misri.
But they rebelled against me and wouldn't do what I told them. None of them got rid of their disgusting pagan images, and they didn't give up worshiping the idols of Egypt. So I warned them that I would punish them in my anger there in Egypt.
9 Nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu ili lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa ambao walikaa pamoja nao. Nilijifanya mwenyewe kujulikana kwao, katika macho yao, kwa kuwatoa katika nchi ya Misri.
But I did act so I would not be misrepresented, so that I wouldn't lose respect in the eyes of the other nations living near them who had seen me reveal myself to Israel by leading them out of Egypt.
10 Basi nikawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta kwenye jangwa.
So I led them out of Egypt and took them into the wilderness.
11 Kisha nikawapa amri zangu na kufanya maagizo yangu kujulikana kwao, kwa kila mwanadamu atakayezishika ataishi.
There I gave them my laws and explained to them my regulations so that those who kept them would live.
12 Pia nikawapatia Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu na wao, ili wajue kwamba mimi ni Yahwe niwafanyao wawe watakatifu.
I also gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them, so that they would acknowledge that I am the Lord who makes them holy.
13 Lakini nyumba ya Israeli imeasi dhidi yangu jangwani. Hawakuenenda katika amri zangu; badala yake, wameyakataa maagizo yangu, ambayo mwanadamu ataishi kama akiyatii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu sana, basi nikasema nitamwaga hasira yangu juu yao jangwani ili kuwamalliza.
But the people of Israel rebelled against me in the desert, refusing to observe my laws and rejecting my regulations, even though they would have given them life. They violated my Sabbaths. So I warned them that I would punish them and wipe them out there in the desert.
14 Lakini nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu hivyo lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa, ambao niliwatoa mbele ya macho yao kutoka Misri.
But I still acted for them so I would not be misrepresented, so that I wouldn't lose respect in the eyes of the other nations who had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt.
15 Basi mimi mwenyewe pia nimeinua mkono wangu kuapa kiapo kwao jangwani sitawarudisha kwenye nchi ile niliyokuwa naenda kuwapatia, nchi inayotiririkayo maziwa na asali, ambayo ilikuwa nzuri sana ambayo ni nzuri kati ya nchi zote.
So I held up my hand and vowed to them in the desert that I wouldn't take them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey—better than any other country—
16 Nimeapa hivi kwa sababu walikataa maagizo yangu na kutotembea katika amri zangu, na wazikufuru Sabato zangu.
because they repeatedly rejected my regulations, refused to observe my laws, and violated my Sabbaths, and because they chose to continue worshiping idols.
17 Lakini jicho langu likawahurumia kutokana na uharibifu na sikuwaangamiza jangwani.
Even so I was sorry for them and I didn't destroy them; I didn't wipe them out in the desert.
18 Nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, “Msitembee kutokana na amri za wazazi wenu; msiweke maagizo yao au kujinajisi wenyewe kwa sanamu.
I told their children in the desert: ‘Don't do what your fathers told you to do. Don't follow their practices. Don't make yourselves unclean by worshiping their idols.
19 Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu, tembeeni katika amri zangu; tunzeni maagizo yangu na kuyatii.
I am the Lord your God. Do what I tell you to do. Follow my regulations and make sure to practice them.
20 Zitunzeni Sabato zangu takatifu ili kwamba zitakuwa ishara kati yangu na ninyi, hivyo basi mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
Keep my Sabbaths holy so they may be a sign between me and you, so that you may acknowledge that I am the Lord your God.’
21 Lakini watoto wao waliniasi. Hawakutembea kwenye sheria zangu au kushika maagizo yangu, ambazo mwanadamu ataishi kama akizitii. Wamezinajisi Sabato zangu, hivyo nimeamua kumwaga ghadhabu yangu juu yao kutimiza ghadhabu yangu dhidi yao katika jangwa.
But their children also rebelled against me. They didn't follow my laws and didn't keep my regulations, even though they would have given them life. They violated my Sabbaths. So I warned them that I would punish them in my anger there in the desert.
22 Lakini niliurudisha mkono wangu na kutenda kwa ajili ya jina langu, hivyo lisitiwe unajisi katika macho ya mataifa ambao mbele ya macho yao niliwatoa Waisraeli.
But I held back and did what I did so I would not be misrepresented, so that I wouldn't lose respect in the eyes of the other nations who had seen me lead Israel out of Egypt.
23 Mimi mwenyewe pia nimeuinua mkono wangu kuapa juu yao jangwani, kwamba nitawatawanya kati ya maifa na kuwatawanya miongoni mwa nchi mabali mbali.
However, I held up my hand and vowed to them in the desert that I was going to scatter them among the various countries of different nations.
24 Nimeamua kufanya hivi kwa kuwa hawakuzitii amri zangu, na tangu walipo zikataa sheria zangu na kuzinajisi Sabato zangu. Macho yao yalizitamani sanamu za baba zao.
For they didn't keep my regulations, instead they rejected my laws and violated my Sabbaths, always looking to worship their fathers' idols.
25 Kisha niliwapa amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri, na maagizo ambayo hawakuweza kuishi kwayo.
I also let them follow the regulations they wanted that weren't good; laws that wouldn't help them live.
26 Nikawafanya unajisi kwa zawadi zao wakati walipofanya dhabihu za kila limbuko la tumbo la uzazi na kutupa kwenye moto. Nalifanya hivi ili kuwaogofya hivyo wangeweza kujua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe!'
I let them make themselves unclean by their offerings to idols, including their firstborn sons. I allowed this to happen so that they would be so appalled that they would acknowledge that I am the Lord.
27 Kwa hiyo, mwanadamu, waambie nyumba ya Israeli na waambie, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Katika hili pia baba zenu walinikufuru wakati walipokuwa sio waaminifu kwangu.
So, son of man, tell the people of Israel that this is what the Lord God says: You're acting in exactly the same way your forefathers insulted me by being unfaithful to me.
28 Wakati nilipowaleta kwenye nchi ambayo niliyokuwa nimewaapia kuwapatia, na kisha popote walipoona jiwe lolote refu na mti wenye majani, walitoa sadaka zao, walinikasirisha kwa sadaka zao, na huko pia walichoma ubani wao wa kunukia na kumwaga sadaka zao za kinywaji.
After I led them into the land that I had promised to give them, on any high hill or under any leafy tree they saw there they offered their pagan sacrifices and presented offerings to idols that made me angry, burning their sweet-smelling incense and pouring out their drink offerings.
29 Kisha nikawaambia, “Nini maana ya mahali palipoinuka ambapo mmeleta sadaka huko?” Hivyo jina lake linaitwa Bana hata leo.'
So I asked them: ‘What's this high place you're going to?’ (Even today it's still called Bamah.)
30 Kwa hiyo waambie nyumba ya Israeli, 'Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Je! Kwa nini unajinajisi mwenyewe kwa njia za baba zako? Kwahiyo kwa nini unatenda kama makahaba, kutafuta kwa ajili ya mambo ya machukizo?
Therefore tell the people of Israel that this is what the Lord God says: Are you going to make yourselves unclean like your forefathers, turning yourselves into prostitutes, acting the way they did with the same disgusting practices?
31 Kwa kuwa wakati mtoapo zawadi zenu na kuwaweka watoto wenu kwenye moto, siku hii mnajitia unajisi pamoja na sanamu zenu zote. Kwa hiyo kwa nini niwaache mniulize mimi, nyumba ya Israeli? Kama niishivyo-Hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Sitawaacha mniulize swali.
When you present your offerings to idols and sacrifice your children in the fire, you continue to make yourselves unclean with all your idols right up until now. So should I give you advice when you ask me, people of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord God, I'm not going to answer you!
32 Mawazo yanayoumbika kwenye moyo wako hayatatokea kamwe. Mmesema, “Ngoja tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama koo za nchi nyingine waabuduo mti na jiwe.”
When you say to yourselves, ‘Let's be like the other nations, like people in other countries who worship idols made of wood and stone,’ what you're thinking is never going to happen.
33 Kama niishivyo-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-Nitatawala hakika juu yenu kwa mkono wenye nguvu, mkono ulionyooshwa, na ghadhabu itakayomwagwa juu yenu.
As I live, declares the Lord God, I will rule you with all my strength and power, and in my anger.
34 Nitawatoa kutoka kwa watu wengine na kuwakusanya kutoka kwenye nchi mlizotawanyika ndani mwao. Nitafanya hivi kwa mkono hodari na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika.
With all my strength and power, and in my anger, I will lead you out from among the nations and gather you from the countries where you were scattered.
35 Kisha nitawaleta kwenye jangwa la watu, na huko nitawahukumu uso kwa uso.
I will bring you before me for judgment face to face in the desert of the nations.
36 Kama nilivyo wahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, hivyo pia nitawahukumu-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.
In the same way I judged your forefathers in the Egyptian desert after I'd led them out of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Lord God.
37 Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, na nitawafanya kutii maagizo yangu ya agano.
I will decide about you as you pass under the rod and see if you kept our solemn agreement.
38 Nitawasafisha kutoka miongoni mwenu maasi na wale ambao walionichukiza. Nitawatoa kutoka nchi ambayo wanayoishi kama wageni, lakini hawataingia kwenye nchi ya Israeli. Kisha mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
I will get rid of those of you who rebel against me, those who sin against me. I will lead them out of the country where they're currently living, but they won't enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
39 Basi kwenu, nyumba ya Israeli, Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Kila mmoja wenu ataenda kwa sanamu zake mwenyewe. Muwaabudu kama mtakataa kunisikiliza, lakini hamtalikufuru tena jina langu takatifu kwa zawadi zenu na sanamu zenu.
This is what the Lord God says to you, you people of Israel: All of you, go ahead and worship your idols. But after that if you don't listen to me you won't continue to disgrace me with your pagan offerings and idols.
40 Kwa kuwa juu ya mlima wangu mtakatifu, juu ya kilele cha mlima wa Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo-wote wa nyumba ya Israeli mtaniabudu huko katika nchi. Nitabarikiwa kwa kutaka sadaka zenu huko, na pia malimbuko yenu ya shukrani pamoja na vitu vyenu vyote vitakatifu.
For there on my holy mountain, Israel's high mountain, declares the Lord God, every single person in the whole country of Israel will worship me. That's where I'll accept them and will ask for your offerings and your best gifts, together with all your holy sacrifices.
41 Nitawapokea kama harufu nzuri ya ubani wakati nitakapowatoa kutoka wale watu na kuwakusanya toka nchi ambazo mlizotawanyika. Nitajifunua mimi mwenyewe kama mtakatifu ndani yenu kwa ajili ya mataifa waone.
When I bring you back from the nations and gather you from countries where you were scattered, I will accept you as a suitable offering to me. I will reveal my holiness through you so the nations can see.
42 Kisha, wakati nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, kwenye nchi ambayo niliuinulia mkono wangu kuapa kuwapatia baba zenu, mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
Then you will acknowledge that I am the Lord when I bring you back to the country of Israel, the land that I promised to give your forefathers.
43 Kisha mtazikumbuka njia zenu mbaya huko, na matendo yenu yote machafu mliyoyafanya wenyewe, na mtajichukia wenyewe katika macho yenu kwa matendo yenu yote maovu mliyoyafanya.
That's where you will remember your bad ways and everything you've done to make yourselves unclean, and you will hate yourselves for the evil things you did.
44 Hivyo mtajua kwamba mimi ni Yahwe nifanyapo haya kwenu kwa ajili ya jina langu, sio kwa njia zenu mbaya au matendo yenu mabovu, nyumba ya Israeli-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.”'
Then you people of Israel will acknowledge that I am the Lord, because I have treated you well because of who I am, and not because of your evil ways and terrible things you've done, declares the Lord God.”
45 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
Another message from the Lord came to me, saying,
46 “Mwanadamu, weka uso wako kuelekea nchi za kusini, na kuongea juu ya kusini; tabiri juu ya msitu wa Negebu.
“Son of man, face towards the south and preach against it. Prophesy against the forest of the Negev.
47 Uuambie msitu wa Negebu, 'Hivi ndivyo Yahwe asemavyo-Bwana Yahwe asema hivi: Tazama, nitaweka moto ndani yako. Utakula kila mti mbichi na kila mti mkavu ndani yako. Miali ya moto haitazimika; na kila uso utokao kusini hata kaskazini utateketezwa kwa moto.
Tell the forest of the Negev: Listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord God says: I am going to set you on fire, and it will burn up all your trees, both those that are living and those that are dead. The blaze won't be put out, and everything from the north to the south will be burned.
48 Kisha watu wote wenye mwili watajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe nimeuwasha moto, na hautazimika.”'
Then everyone will recognize that it was me, the Lord, who started the fire, and it won't be put out.”
49 Kisha nimesema, Ee! Bwana Yahwe, Wananisema mimi, 'Je! yeye sio mwenye kusema mafumbo?”'
But then I said, “Oh no, Lord God! People already say, ‘He's just telling stories!’”
