Ezekieli 9
1 Kisha akalia kwa sauti kubwa nikasikia kwenye masikio yangu, huku akisema, “Waache walinzi waje kwenye mji, kila mmoja na silaha yake ya uharibifu kwenye mkono wake.”
And he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying: The visitations of the city are at hand, and every one hath a destroying weapon in his hand.
2 Kisha tazama! watu wanne watakuja kutokea njia ya lango la juu linaloelekea kaskazini, kila mmoja na silaha yake ya kuchinjia kwenye mkono wake. Kulikuwa na mtu mmoja miongoni mwao alikuwa amevaa nguo ya kitani pamoja na kifaa cha uandishi ubavuni mwake. Hivyo waliingia na kusimama karibu na madhabahu ya shaba.
And behold six men came from the way of the upper gate, which looketh to the north: and each one had his weapon of destruction in his hand: and there was one man in the midst of them clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn at his reins: and they went in, and stood by the brazen altar.
3 Kisha utukufu wa Mungu wa Israeli ukapanda juu kutoka kwa kerubi ambapo ilikuwa kwenye kisingiti cha nyumba. Akamwita yule mtu aliyekuwa amevaa nguo ya kitani na kifaa cha uandishi ubavuni mwake.
And the glory of the Lord of Israel went up from the cherub, upon which he was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man that was clothed with linen, and had a writer’s inkhorn at his loins.
4 Yahwe akamwambia, “Pita kati ya mji-kati ya Yerusalemu-na weka alama katika vipaji vya uso vya wale waliolemewa na kuona kuhusu machukizo yote yanafanyika kati ya mji.”
And the Lord said to him: Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem: and mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are committed in the midst thereof.
5 Kisha akaongea na wengine kupitia kusikia kwangu, “Pita kwenye mji baada ya yeye na kuua. Msiache macho yenu yawe na huruma, na msiogope kuharibu
And to the others he said in my hearing: Go ye after him through the city, and strike: let not your eyes spare, nor be ye moved with pity.
6 iwe mzee, kijana, msichana, mtoto mdogo au wanawake. Waueni watu wote! Lakini msimkaribie mtu yeyote ambaye mwenye alama kwenye kichwa chake. Anzeni katika patakatifu pangu!” Hivyo wakaanza na wazee waliokuwa mbele ya nyumba.
Utterly destroy old and young, maidens, children and women: but upon whomsoever you shall see Thau, kill him not, and begin ye at my sanctuary. So they began at the ancient men who mere before the house.
7 Akawaambia, “Najisi nyumba, na kujaza zio zake kwa waliokufa. Endeleeni!” Hivyo wakaenda na kuushambulia mji.
And he said to them: Defile the house, and ill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew them that were in the city.
8 Walipokuwa wakiushambulia, nikajikuta mwenyewe na nikaangukia kwenye uso wangu na kulia kwa sauti na kusema, “Ee, Bwana Yahwe, utayaharibu mabaki yote ya Israeli wakati wa kumwaga ghadhabu yao juu ya Yerusalemu?”
And the slaughter being ended I was left: and I fell upon my face, and crying, I said: Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God, wilt thou then destroy all the remnant of Israel, by pouring out thy fury upon Jerusalem?
9 Akanambia, “Uovu wa nyumba ya Israeli na Yuda unaongezeka sana. Nchi imejaa damu na mji umejaa upotovu, tangu waliposema, 'Yahwe ameisahau nchi; na Yahwe haoni!'
And he said to me: The iniquity of the house of Israel, and of Juda, is exceeding great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city is filled with perverseness: for they have said: The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not.
10 Hivyo kisha, macho yangu hataangalia kwa huruma, na sintoacha kuwaharibu. Badala yake nitaileta juu ya vichwa vyao.”
Therefore neither shall my eye spare, nor will I have pity: I will requite their way upon their head.
11 Tazama! yule mtu aliyekuwa amevaa nguo ya kitani aliyekuwa na kifaa cha uandishi kwa uapende wa ubavuni mwake. Alitoa taarifa na kusema, “Nimemaliza yale yote uliyoniamuru.”
And behold the man that was clothed with linen, that had the inkhorn at his back, returned the word, saying: I have done as thou hast commanded me.
