Hosea 11
1 “Wakati Israeli alikuwa kijana nilimpenda, na nikamwita mtoto wangu kutoka Misri.
Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.
2 Kwa kadiri waliyoitwa, ndivyo walivyoondoka kwangu. Wakawafanyia dhabihu Baali, wakatafuta uvumba kwa sanamu.
They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.
3 Lakini mimi ndio niliyemfundisha Efraimu kutembea. Ndiye niliyewainua kwa silaha zao, lakini hawakujua kwamba niliwajali.
And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened them.
4 Niliwaongoza kwa kamba za ubinadamu, na mafungo ya upendo. Mimi nilikuwa kama mtu aliyepunguza jozi juu ya taya zao, na nikainama na kuwalisha.
With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].
5 Je, hawatarudi nchi ya Misri? Je, Ashuru haitatawala juu yao kwa sababu wanakataa kurudi kwangu?
He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
6 Upanga utaanguka juu ya miji yao na kuharibu makomeo ya milango yao; itawaangamiza kwa sababu ya mipango yao wenyewe.
Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.
7 Watu wangu wameamua kuniacha. Ingawa wanaita kwa Aliye Juu, hakuna mtu atawasaidia.
And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.
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 do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.
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 do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,
10 Watanifuata, Bwana. Nitanguruma kama simba. Nami nitaomboleza, na watu watakuja wakitetemeka kutoka magharibi.
After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.
11 Watakuja wakitetemeka kama ndege kutoka Misri, kama njiwa kutoka nchi ya Ashuru. Nitawafanya wapate kuishi katika nyumba zao.” Hii ndiyo tamko la Bwana.
They tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of Jehovah.
12 Efraimu ananizunguka kwa maneno ya uongo, na nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu. Lakini Yuda bado anaendelea nami, Mungu, na ni mwaminifu kwangu, Mtakatifu.
Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!
