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.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah, and sat before me.
2 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
Then came the word of Jehovah 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 say to them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
4 Je! Utawahukumu? Utamuhukumu, mwanadamu? Wajulishe kuhusu machukizo ya baba zao.
Punish them, punish them, son of man, cause them to know the abominations of their fathers, and say to them,
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”-
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: At the time when I chose Israel, I lifted up my hand to the race of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I lifted up my hand to them, and said, I am Jehovah, 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.
At that time I lifted up my hand to them, that I would bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, into a land which I had looked out for them, flowing with milk and honey, 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.”
And I said to them, Cast ye away from you every one the abomination of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt! I am Jehovah, 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 hearken to me; they did not cast away every one the abominations of his eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, that I would accomplish mine 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted in the sight of the nations, in the midst of whom they were; and before their eyes 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.
And I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and led them into the wilderness.
11 Kisha nikawapa amri zangu na kufanya maagizo yangu kujulikana kwao, kwa kila mwanadamu atakayezishika ataishi.
And I gave them my statutes, and made known to them my laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live.
12 Pia nikawapatia Sabato zangu kama ishara kati yangu na wao, ili wajue kwamba mimi ni Yahwe niwafanyao wawe watakatifu.
Also I gave them my sabbaths, that they might be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I, Jehovah, sanctify 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 desert; they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my laws, through which the man that keepeth them shall live, and my sabbaths they greatly polluted. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them in the desert, 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 acted for my name's sake, that it might not be polluted before the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
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.
Yet I lifted up my hand to them in the desert, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, the beauty of all lands;
16 Nimeapa hivi kwa sababu walikataa maagizo yangu na kutotembea katika amri zangu, na wazikufuru Sabato zangu.
because they despised my laws, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
17 Lakini jicho langu likawahurumia kutokana na uharibifu na sikuwaangamiza jangwani.
Nevertheless mine eye spared them, so that I did not destroy them; neither did I make an end of them in the desert.
18 Nikawaambia watoto wao jangwani, “Msitembee kutokana na amri za wazazi wenu; msiweke maagizo yao au kujinajisi wenyewe kwa sanamu.
And I said to their sons in the desert, Walk ye not 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 Jehovah, 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 hallow my sabbaths, that they may be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Jehovah, 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 sons rebelled against me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept they my ordinances to do them, through which the man that doeth them shall live, and they polluted my sabbaths. Then I said that I would pour out my fury upon them, and accomplish mine anger upon them 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.
Nevertheless I held back my hand, and acted for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before 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.
I also lifted up my hand against them in the desert, 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 did not observe mine ordinances, but despised my statutes, and polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after the idols of their fathers.
25 Kisha niliwapa amri ambazo hazikuwa nzuri, na maagizo ambayo hawakuweza kuishi kwayo.
Moreover I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances by 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 offerings, in that they caused every first-born child to pass through the fire, that I might destroy them, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah.
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 speak to the house of Israel, O son of man, and say to them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Yet in this your fathers dishonored me, and trespassed 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 concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick tree's, and there they offered their sacrifices, and there they presented their provoking oblation, and there they brought their sweet savor, and there they poured out 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 is the high place to which ye go? And it is called The High Place unto 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 say to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers, and do ye commit fornication according to 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 by offering your gifts, and causing your sons to pass through the fire, —are ye polluted with all your idols even to this day, and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, 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 cometh into your mind shall not come to pass, when ye say, “We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, worshipping 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, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out will I rule 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 forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 Kisha nitawaleta kwenye jangwa la watu, na huko nitawahukumu uso kwa uso.
And I will bring you into the desert of the nations, and there will I contend 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.
Even as I contended with your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so also will I contend with you, saith the Lord Jehovah.
37 Nitawafanya mpite chini ya fimbo yangu, na nitawafanya kutii maagizo yangu ya agano.
And 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 them that transgress against me; out of the country where they sojourn will I bring them forth, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.
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, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Go ye, serve ye every one his idols in future also, if ye will not obey me! But pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts and 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 upon my holy mountain, upon the lofty mountain of Israel, there shall all the house of Israel, all that are in the land, serve me; there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all things which ye consecrate to me.
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.
I will accept you as a sweet savor, when I bring you forth from the nations, and gather you from the countries, wherein ye have been scattered, and will through you be honored before the eyes 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.
And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country concerning which I lifted up my hand, that I would give it 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.
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been polluted; and ye shall loathe yourselves for all your evil deeds which ye 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.”'
And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah.
45 Kisha neno la Yahwe likanijia, kusema,
And the word of Jehovah 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 thy face toward the south, and drop thy word against 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 say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of Jehovah! Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will kindle in thee a fire, which shall devour every green tree and every dry tree within thee; the fierce flame shall not be quenched, and all parts from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
48 Kisha watu wote wenye mwili watajua yakwamba mimi ni Yahwe nimeuwasha moto, na hautazimika.”'
And all flesh shall see that I, Jehovah, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.
49 Kisha nimesema, Ee! Bwana Yahwe, Wananisema mimi, 'Je! yeye sio mwenye kusema mafumbo?”'
And I said, Ah, Lord Jehovah, they say of me, “Doth he not speak in parables?”
