Hosea 11
1 “Wakati Israeli alikuwa kijana nilimpenda, na nikamwita mtoto wangu kutoka Misri.
When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.
2 Kwa kadiri waliyoitwa, ndivyo walivyoondoka kwangu. Wakawafanyia dhabihu Baali, wakatafuta uvumba kwa sanamu.
When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.
3 Lakini mimi ndio niliyemfundisha Efraimu kutembea. Ndiye niliyewainua kwa silaha zao, lakini hawakujua kwamba niliwajali.
But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.
4 Niliwaongoza kwa kamba za ubinadamu, na mafungo ya upendo. Mimi nilikuwa kama mtu aliyepunguza jozi juu ya taya zao, na nikainama na kuwalisha.
I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.
5 Je, hawatarudi nchi ya Misri? Je, Ashuru haitatawala juu yao kwa sababu wanakataa kurudi kwangu?
He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.
6 Upanga utaanguka juu ya miji yao na kuharibu makomeo ya milango yao; itawaangamiza kwa sababu ya mipango yao wenyewe.
And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.
7 Watu wangu wameamua kuniacha. Ingawa wanaita kwa Aliye Juu, hakuna mtu atawasaidia.
My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.
8 Ninawezaje kukuacha, Efraimu? Ninawezaje kukupeleka, Israeli? Ninawezaje kukufanya kama Adma? Ninawezaje kukufanya kama Seboimu? Moyo wangu umebadilika ndani yangu; huruma zangu zote zimeongezeka.
How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.
9 Sitafanya hasira yangu kali; Mimi sitawaangamiza Efraimu tena. Kwa maana mimi ni Mungu, wala si mtu; Mimi ni Mtakatifu kati yenu, nami sitakuja katika ghadhabu.
I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.
10 Watanifuata, Bwana. Nitanguruma kama simba. Nami nitaomboleza, na watu watakuja wakitetemeka kutoka magharibi.
They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;
11 Watakuja wakitetemeka kama ndege kutoka Misri, kama njiwa kutoka nchi ya Ashuru. Nitawafanya wapate kuishi katika nyumba zao.” Hii ndiyo tamko la Bwana.
Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.
12 Efraimu ananizunguka kwa maneno ya uongo, na nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu. Lakini Yuda bado anaendelea nami, Mungu, na ni mwaminifu kwangu, Mtakatifu.
The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...
