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.
It happened in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
The word of 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, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: "Is it to inquire of me that you have come? As I live, says the LORD, I will not be inquired of by you."'
4 Je! Utawahukumu? Utamuhukumu, mwanadamu? Wajulishe kuhusu machukizo ya baba zao.
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;
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 tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: "In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, '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.
in that day I swore to them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
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 said to them, 'Cast away every man the abominations of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with 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 would not listen to me; they each didn't throw away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of 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 worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known to them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10 Basi nikawatoa katika nchi ya Misri na kuwaleta kwenye jangwa.
"'"So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 Kisha nikawapa amri zangu na kufanya maagizo yangu kujulikana kwao, kwa kila mwanadamu atakayezishika ataishi.
I gave them my statutes, and showed them my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them.
12 Pia nikawapatia Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu na wao, ili wajue kwamba mimi ni Yahwe niwafanyao wawe watakatifu.
Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
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 house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they didn't walk in my statutes, and they rejected my ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my Sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14 Lakini nilifanya kwa ajili ya jina langu hivyo lisinajisiwe katika macho ya mataifa, ambao niliwatoa mbele ya macho yao kutoka Misri.
But I worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
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.
"'"Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given to them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the most beautiful of all lands;
16 Nimeapa hivi kwa sababu walikataa maagizo yangu na kutotembea katika amri zangu, na wazikufuru Sabato zangu.
because they rejected my ordinances, and didn't walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17 Lakini jicho langu likawahurumia kutokana na uharibifu na sikuwaangamiza jangwani.
Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn't destroy them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.
18 Nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, “Msitembee kutokana na amri za wazazi wenu; msiweke maagizo yao au kujinajisi wenyewe kwa sanamu.
"'"I said to their children in the wilderness, 'Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
19 Mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu, tembeeni katika amri zangu; tunzeni maagizo yangu na kuyatii.
I am the LORD your God: walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them;
20 Zitunzeni Sabato zangu takatifu ili kwamba zitakuwa ishara kati yangu na ninyi, hivyo basi mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe Mungu wenu.”
and make my Sabbaths holy; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know 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 the children rebelled against me; they didn't walk in my statutes, neither kept my ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
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.
Nevertheless I withdrew my hand, and worked for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23 Mimi mwenyewe pia nimeuinua mkono wangu kuapa juu yao jangwani, kwamba nitawatawanya kati ya maifa na kuwatawanya miongoni mwa nchi mabali mbali.
Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;
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.
because they had not executed my ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25 Kisha niliwapa amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri, na maagizo ambayo hawakuweza kuishi kwayo.
Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances in which they should not 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!'
and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know 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.
"Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: "In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against 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.
For when I had brought them into the land, which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there also they made their pleasant aroma, and they poured out there their drink offerings.
29 Kisha nikawaambia, “Nini maana ya mahali palipoinuka ambapo mmeleta sadaka huko?” Hivyo jina lake linaitwa Bana hata leo.'
Then I said to them, 'What does the high place where you go mean?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."'
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 house of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD: "Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? And do you play the prostitute after their abominations?
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.
And when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? And shall I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the LORD, I will not be inquired of by you;
32 Mawazo yanayoumbika kwenye moyo wako hayatatokea kamwe. Mmesema, “Ngoja tuwe kama mataifa mengine, kama koo za nchi nyingine waabuduo mti na jiwe.”
and that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, in that you say, 'We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.'
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," says the LORD, "surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you:
34 Nitawatoa kutoka kwa watu wengine na kuwakusanya kutoka kwenye nchi mlizotawanyika ndani mwao. Nitafanya hivi kwa mkono hodari na kwa ghadhabu iliyomwagika.
and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries in which you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out;
35 Kisha nitawaleta kwenye jangwa la watu, na huko nitawahukumu uso kwa uso.
and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face.
36 Kama nilivyo wahukumu baba zenu katika jangwa la nchi ya Misri, hivyo pia nitawahukumu-hivi ndivyo Bwana Yahwe asemavyo.
Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you," says the LORD.
37 Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, na nitawafanya kutii maagizo yangu ya agano.
"I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
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.
and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and those who disobey against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they live, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and you shall 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.
"'As for you, house of Israel, thus says the Lord GOD: "Go, serve everyone his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts, and with your 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 in my holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel," says the LORD, "there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your offerings, with all your holy things.
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.
As a pleasant aroma will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries in which you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
42 Kisha, wakati nitakapowaleta katika nchi ya Israeli, kwenye nchi ambayo niliuinulia mkono wangu kuapa kuwapatia baba zenu, mtajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe.
You shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I swore to give to your fathers.
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.
There you shall remember your ways, and all your doings, in which you have polluted yourselves; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that you have committed.
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.”'
You shall know that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, you house of Israel," says the LORD.'"
45 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
The word of 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, set your face toward the south, and drop your word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;
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.
and tell the forest of the South, 'Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the LORD, "Look, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.
48 Kisha watu wote wenye mwili watajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe nimeuwasha moto, na hautazimika.”'
All flesh shall see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched."'"
49 Kisha nimesema, Ee! Bwana Yahwe, Wananisema mimi, 'Je! yeye sio mwenye kusema mafumbo?”'
Then I said, "Ah, LORD. They say of me, 'Isn't he a speaker of parables?'"
