Wahebrania 11
1 Sasa imani ni hakika aliyo nayo mtu wakati atarajiapo kitu fulani kwa ujasiri. Ni hakika ya kitu ambacho bado hakijaonekana.
It is because people trust [God] that they are sure that they will receive the things that they confidently expect [God to give them]. They are also certain [that they will see those things], though no one sees them yet.
2 Kwa sababu hii mababu zetu walithibitika kwa imani yao.
It was because our ancestors trusted in God that they pleased him.
3 Kwa imani tunafahamu kwamba ulimwengu uliumbwa kwa amri ya Mungu, ili kwamba kile kinachoonekana hakikutengenezwa kutokana na vitu ambavyo vilikuwa vinaonekana. (aiōn g165)
It is because we trust in God that we understand that he formed the universe by commanding [it to exist]. The result is that the things that we see were not made from things that already existed. (aiōn g165)
4 Ilikuwa kwa sababu ya imani kwamba Habili alimtolea Mungu sadaka ya kufaa kuliko alivyofanya Kaini. Ilikuwa ni kwa sababu hii kwamba alisifiwa kuwa mwenye haki. Mungu alimsifu kwa sababu ya zawadi alizoleta. Kwa sababu hiyo, Habili bado ananena, ingawa amekufa.
It was because [Adam’s son] Abel trusted God that he sacrificed something better to God than what [his older brother] Cain offered to God. Because Abel did that, when God spoke well about what Abel sacrificed, God declared that Abel was righteous. And although Abel is dead, we still learn from him [about trusting God].
5 Ilikuwa kwa imani kwamba Enoko alichukuliwa juu na hakuona mauti. “Hakuonekana, kwa sababu Mungu alimchukua” kwa vile ilinenwa juu yake kuwa alimpendeza Mungu kabla ya kuchukuliwa juu.
It was because Enoch believed [God that God] took him [up to heaven]. The result was that he did not die. No one found him, because he was taken up {[God] had removed him} from the earth [to heaven]. Before [God] took him away, [he] testified that Enoch pleased him well.
6 Pasipo imani haiwezekani kumpendeza Mungu, kwa kuwa ajaye kwa Mungu lazima aamini kwamba Mungu anaishi na kwamba huwapatia zawadi wale wamtafutao.
It is possible for people to please God only if they trust God, because anyone who wants to come to God must first believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek [to know] him.
7 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Nuhu, akiwa ameonywa na Mungu kuhusiana na mambo ambayo hayakuwa yameonekana, kwa heshima ya ki Mungu alitengeneza safina kwa ajili ya kuiokoa familia yake. Kwa kufanya hivi, aliuhukumu ulimwengu na akawa mrithi wa haki ambayo huja kupitia imani.
It was because Noah trusted [God] that after he was warned by God {after [God] warned him} about [a flood that] had not yet happened, Noah [showed that he] revered God by building a huge ship to save his family. By doing that, he [showed all the people who did not believe him] [MTY] [that they deserved to be condemned] {[that God would] condemn them}. He was someone whom God declared to be righteous because of his trusting in God.
8 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu, alipoitwa alitii na kwenda mahali ambapo alipaswa kupokea kama urithi. Alitoka bila kujua mahali gani alikuwa anakwenda.
It was because Abraham trusted God that when he was told to go {when [God] told him to go}, he obeyed [God], he left [his own country], and went to a place that God would give him. Abraham left his own country, even though he did not know where he would be going.
9 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba aliishi katika nchi ya ahadi kama mgeni. Aliishi katika mahema pamoja na Isaka na Yakobo, warithi wenzake wa ahadi ile ile.
It was because Abraham trusted God that he lived as though he was a foreigner in the land that [God] had promised to him. Abraham lived in tents, and his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob did also. God promised to give to Isaac and Jacob the same things that he promised to give Abraham.
10 Hii ni kwa sababu alitarajia kuupata mji ambao mwenye kuubuni na mjenzi wake angelikuwa ni Mungu.
Abraham was waiting to live in a city [in heaven] that would exist forever [MET]. It was a city that God is building [DOU].
11 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu, na Sara mwenyewe, walipokea nguvu ya kutunga mimba ingawa walikuwa wazee sana, kwa kuwa walimuona Mungu kuwa mwaminifu, ambaye aliwaahidia mtoto wa kiume.
It was because Abraham trusted God that God gave Abraham strength so that he [was] able to produce a son. Even though his wife Sarah was past the age [when women bear children], [God] promised [that he would give her a son], and Abraham considered that God would do what he promised to do.
12 Kwa hiyo pia kutoka kwa mtu huyu mmoja ambaye alikuwa amekaribia kufa wakazaliwa watoto wasiohesabika. Walikuwa wengi kama nyota za angani na wengi kama mbegu za mchanga katika ufukwe wa bahari.
So, although Abraham was also too old to have children, so many people descended from that one man that they were as numerous as the stars in the sky and are as countless as the grains of sand along the seashore, [just like God promised him].
13 Hawa wote walikufa katika imani pasipo kupokea ahadi. Isipokuwa, wakiwa wameziona na kuzikaribisha kwa mbali, walikiri kwamba walikuwa wageni na wapitaji juu ya nchi.
It was while they still trusted in God that all those people died. Even though they had not yet received the things that God had promised to give them, [it was as though] they saw those things in a distance. They were glad [to know] about what God promised. It was as though they admitted that they were not from this earth, but that they were only here temporarily.
14 Kwa wale wasemao mambo kama haya wanaweka bayana kuwa wanatafuta nchi yao wenyewe.
As for those people who talk like that, they clearly show that they long for [a place that will become] their true native land.
15 Kwa kweli, kama wangekuwa wakiifikiria nchi ambayo kwayo walitoka, wangelikuwa na nafasi ya kurejea.
If they had been thinking about [that place being] the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.
16 Lakini kama ilivyo, wanatamani nchi iliyo bora, ambayo, ni ya kimbingu. Kwa hiyo Mungu haoni aibu kuitwa Mungu wao, kwa kuwa ametayarisha mji kwa ajili yao.
But, instead, they desired a better [place in which to live]; that is, they desired [a home] in heaven. So God has prepared a city for them to live [with him], and he is pleased [LIT] for them to say that he is their God.
17 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Ibrahimu baada ya kujaribiwa, alimtoa Isaka. Ndiyo, yeye ambaye alipokea kwa furaha ahadi, alimtoa mwanawe wa pekee,
It was because Abraham trusted [God] that he [was ready to] kill his son Isaac as a sacrifice when [God] tested him. This same man to whom [God] promised [to give] ([a son/many descendants]) was going to sacrifice [that same son], the only son [whom his own wife had borne]!
18 ambaye juu yake ilinenwa, “Kutoka kwa Isaka uzao wako utaitwa.”
It was to Abraham that God said, “It is [only] from Isaac that I will consider your family to descend.”
19 IbrahImU alijua kwamba Mungu alikuwa na uwezo wa kumfufua Isaka kutoka katika wafu, na kwa kuzungumza kwa lugha ya maumbo, alimpokea.
Abraham considered that [to fulfill that promise], God could make [Isaac] live again [even if] he had died [after Abraham sacrificed him]! The result was that when Abraham did receive Isaac back [after God told him not to harm Isaac], it was as though he received him back even after he died.
20 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Isaka alimbariki Yakobo na Esau kuhusu mambo yajayo.
It was because Isaac trusted God that he [prayed that after he died, God would] bless [his] sons Jacob and Esau.
21 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Yakobo alipokuwa katika hali ya kufa, alimbariki kila mmoja wa watoto wa Yusufu. Yakobo akaabudu, akiegemea juu ya fimbo yake.
It was because Jacob trusted God that, as he was dying, he [prayed that God would] bless each of the sons of [his own son Joseph]. He worshipped God as he leaned upon his walking stick [before he died].
22 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Yusufu wakati wake wa mwisho ulipokaribia, alinena juu ya kutoka kwa wana wa Israel Misri na akawaagiza kuchukua pamoja nao mifupa yake.
It was because Joseph trusted God that, when he was about to die [in Egypt], he anticipated the time when the Israelis would leave Egypt; and he instructed [that] his people [should carry] his bones [with them when they] ([left Egypt/returned to Canaan]).
23 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa, alipozaliwa, alifichwa kwa miezi mitatu na wazazi wake kwa sababu walimuona kuwa ni mtoto mchanga aliyekuwa mzuri, na hawakutishwa na amri ya mfalme.
It was because Moses’ father and mother trusted God that they hid [their son] for three months shortly after he was born, because they saw that he was so beautiful. They were not afraid of [disobeying] what the king of Egypt had commanded, [namely, that all the Jewish male babies must be killed].
24 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa, alipokuwa mtu mzima, alikataa kuitwa mtoto wa binti Farao.
The daughter of the [king, whom they called] Pharaoh, [raised] Moses, but when he had grown up, it was because he trusted God that he refused to [accept the privileges that would have been his if people] considered that he was (the son of the king’s daughter/the king’s own grandson).
25 Badala yake, alichagua kushiriki mateso pamoja na watu wa Mungu badala ya kufurahia anasa za dhambi kwa kitambo.
He decided that it was better for others to mistreat him for a time along with the Israeli people, than to temporarily enjoy living sinfully [in the King’s palace].
26 Alifikiri aibu ya kumfuata Kristo kuwa ni utajiri mkuu kuliko hazina za Misri kwa kuwa alikaza macho yake katika zawadi ya wakati wake ujao.
This is because he decided that if he suffered for the Messiah, it would be worth far more [in God’s sight] than his owning all the treasures of Egypt [that he would receive as Pharaoh’s heir. He decided that] because he looked forward to the time when [God would give him] an [eternal] reward.
27 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Musa alitoka Misri. Hakuhofia hasira ya Mfalme, kwa kuwa alivumilia kwa kutazama kwa asiyeonekana.
It was because he trusted God that he left Egypt. He was not afraid that the king would be angry [because of his doing that]. He (kept going/did not turn back) because [it was as though] he kept seeing [God], whom no one can see.
28 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba aliishika pasaka na kunyunyiza damu, ili kwamba mharibu wa mzaliwa wa kwanza asiweze kuwagusa wazaliwa wa kwanza wa kiume wa waisrael.
It was because Moses believed [that God would save his own people] that he instituted the [festival called] Passover. He did that [by commanding that the people should kill lambs and] sprinkle their blood [on their] doorposts. They did that in order that [the angel who] causes people to die would not kill [EUP] the oldest male Israelites [when he killed the oldest sons in each Egyptian family].
29 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba walipita katika bahari ya shamu kama katika nchi kavu. Wakati wamisri walipojaribu kupita, walimezwa.
It was because they trusted God that [when] the [Israelite] people walked through [where] the Red Sea [had been, it was] as [though they walked] on dry land! But, when the [army of] Egypt also attempted to [cross that same water], they drowned, because [the sea came back and flooded them]!
30 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba ukuta wa Yeriko ulianguka chini, baada ya kuuzunguka kwa siku saba.
It was because the [Israeli] people trusted God that the walls around Jericho [city] collapsed, after the Israelis marched around the walls for seven days.
31 Ilikuwa ni kwa imani kwamba Rahabu yule kahaba hakuangamia pamoja na wale ambao hawakuwa watiifu, kwa sababu alikuwa amewapokea wapelelezi na kuwahifadhi salama.
Rahab [had been] a prostitute, but because she trusted God, she did not perish with those [inside Jericho] who disobeyed [God. Joshua sent some spies] into the city [in order] to find ways to destroy it, but God saved her because she welcomed those spies [peaceably].
32 Na niseme nini zaidi? Maana muda hautoshi kusimulia ya Gideoni, Barak, Samsoni, Yeftha, Daudi, Samwel na za manabii,
I do not know what more I should say [RHQ] [about others who trusted in God]. It would take too much time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the [other] prophets.
33 ambao kupitia imani walizishinda falme, walitenda haki, na wakapokea ahadi. Walizuia vinywa vya simba,
It was because they trusted God that some of them [did great things for him]. Some conquered lands ruled by powerful men. Some ruled [Israel] and justly [punished those men and nations who rebelled against God]. Some obtained [from God] the things that he promised to give them [MTY].
34 walizima nguvu za moto, walikwepa ncha ya upanga, waliponywa kutoka katika magonjwa, walikuwa mashujaa vitani, na walisababisha majeshi wageni kukimbia.
Some forced lions to keep their mouths shut. Some escaped from being destroyed by fire. Some of those people escaped from [being killed with] a sword [MTY]. Some of those [people who trusted God] were made strong {became mighty} again after they had once been weak. Some became powerful when they fought wars. Some caused armies [that came from foreign lands] to run away from them.
35 Wanawake walipokea wafu wao kwa njia ya ufufuo. Wengine waliteswa, bila kukubali kuachwa huru ili kwamba waweze kupata uzoefu wa ufufuo ulio bora zaidi.
Some women [who trusted God] received [their relatives] back again when [God] ([made them live again after they had died/raised them from the dead]). But [others who trusted God] were tortured until they died. They were tortured because they refused to agree when [their captors said, “We will] release you [if you deny that you believe in God.” They refused to do that], because they wanted to live with God forever, which is better than [continuing to live on earth] after having almost died.
36 Wengine waliteswa kwa dhihaka na kwa vichapo, naam, hata kwa vifungo na kwa kutiwa gerezani.
Other [people who trusted God] were mocked; [some had their backs] cut [open by being struck] with leaded whips. Some were chained and put in prison.
37 Walipondwa mawe. Walikatwa vipande kwa misumeno. Waliuawa kwa upanga. Walikwenda kwa ngozi za kondoo na ngozi za mbuzi walikuwa wahitaji, wakiendelea katika maumivu na wakitendewa mabaya
[Some of] those believers were stoned to death {People [killed some of those believers by] throwing stones at them}. Others were cut completely in two. Others were killed with swords. Others of these people who trusted God wandered around the land [wearing garments made only of] skins from sheep and goats. They did not have any money. They were continually oppressed and tormented {People continuously oppressed them and tormented them}.
38 (ambayo ulimwengu haukustahili kuwa nao), wakitangatanga nyikani, milimani, katika mapango na katika mashimo ya ardhini.
[The people on earth who caused those who trusted in God to suffer were so bad that] they did not deserve [to live with people who trusted God. Some who trusted God] wandered in deserts and on mountains. Some lived in caves and in other [large] holes in the ground.
39 Ingawa watu wote hawa walikubaliwa na Mungu kwa sababu ya imani yao, hawakupokea alichoahidi.
Although all these people were commended [by God] {[God] commended all these people} because they trusted him, God did not give them all that he promised them [while they were alive].
40 Mungu alitangulia kutupatia kitu kilichobora, ili kwamba bila sisi wasingeweza kukamilishwa.
God knew ahead of time that what he would give us and them [later] would be better than giving [them immediately what he promised]. What God intends is that only when they and we are together will we have all that God intends us to have.
