Hosea 13
1 Efraimu alipozungumza, kulikuwa na tetemeko. Alijikuza katika Israeli, lakini akawa na hatia kwa sababu ya ibada ya Baali, naye akafa.
When Ephraim spoke, they were feared, for they were the leading tribe in Israel. But when they were guilty of Baal worship, they died.
2 Sasa wanafanya dhambi zaidi na zaidi. Wanatengeneza sanamu za chuma kutoka kwenye fedha zao, sanamu kwa kadiri ya ufanisi wao, zote ni kazi ya mafundi. Watu wanasema juu yao, 'Watu hawa watoao dhabihu na kumbusu ndama.'
Now they constantly sin, making for themselves idols from molten metal. All of these idols are skillfully made from silver by their craftsmen. “Offer sacrifices to these idols,” say the people. “Kiss the bull calf idols.”
3 Kwa hiyo watakuwa kama mawingu ya asubuhi, kama umande unaoondoka mapema, kama makapi yanayotokana na upepo kutoka kwenye sakafu, na kama moshi utokao kwenye bomba.
Consequently they will be like the morning mist, like early morning dew, like chaff blowing away from the threshing floor, like smoke from a chimney.
4 Lakini mimi ndimi Bwana, Mungu weko, tangu nchi ya Misri. Hutamjua Mungu mwingine bali mimi; wala zaidi yangu, hakuna mkombozi mwingine.
Yet I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall know no other gods but me. None can save you except me.
5 Nilikujua jangwani, katika nchi yenye kame.
I looked after you in the wilderness; in that dry desert land it was like pasture to them
6 Wakati ulipokuwa na malisho, ulishiba; na wakati uliposhiba, moyo wako ukainuliwa. Kwa sababu hiyo umenisahau.
and they were satisfied. But when they were satisfied they became arrogant, and they forgot me.
7 Nitakuwa kama simba; kama chui nitaangalia kando ya njia.
So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lie in wait beside the path.
8 Nitawaangamiza kama dubu aliyenyang'anywa watoto wake. Nami nitararua vifua vyao, na huko nitawaangamiza kama simba, kama vile mnyama wa mwitu atakayerarua vipande vipande.
I will be like a mother bear whose cubs have been taken, I will rip out their hearts. I shall devour them like a lion, like a wild beast I will tear them apart.
9 Nitawaangamiza, Israeli; nani atakayekusaidia?
You have destroyed yourselves, Israel, for your only help is in me.
10 Mfalme wako yuko wapi, ili akuokoe katika miji yako yote? Wako wapi wakuu, ambao kwao umeniambia hivi, 'Nipe mfalme na wakuu'?
Where then is your king? Let him save you in all your cities! Where are your leaders who demanded a king and princes from me?
11 Nimekupa mfalme kwa hasira yangu, nikamchukua kwa ghadhabu yangu.
In my anger I give you a king, and in my fury I take one.
12 Uovu wa Efraimu umehifadhiwa; hatia yake imehifadhiwa.
Ephraim's guilt is packed up; their sin will be eradicated.
13 Atakuwa na uchungu wa kujifungua, lakini ni mwana mjinga, kwa maana wakati wa kuzaliwa, hatatoka tumboni.
The pain of childbirth has come to them, trying to give birth to a son who is not “wise” because he is not in the right position when the time comes.
14 Je, nitawaokoa na mkono wa kaburi? Je, nitawaokoa na kifo? Ewe Mauti yako wapi mapigo yako? Ewe kaburi kuko wapi kuharibu kwako? Huruma itafichwa na macho yangu. (Sheol h7585)
I shall redeem them from the power of Sheol; I shall deliver them from death. Where, death, are your plagues? Where, Sheol, is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my sight. (Sheol h7585)
15 Ingawa Efraimu anafanikiwa kati ya ndugu zake, upepo wa mashariki utakuja; upepo wa Bwana utapiga kutoka jangwani. Kijito cha maji cha Efraimu kitauka, na kisima chake hakitakuwa na maji. Adui yake atapora ghala lake la kila kitu cha thamani.
Even though they flourish among the reeds, an east wind will come, a wind from the Lord that rises in the desert will dry up their springs and their wells will fail. It will rob from their treasury everything of value.
16 Samaria itakuwa na hatia, kwa sababu amemuasi dhidi ya Mungu wake. Wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wadogo watavunjwa, na wanawake wao wajawazito watatambuliwa wazi.
Samaria will have to bear the consequences of their guilt, because they rebelled against her God. They will be slaughtered by the sword; their children will be dashed to the ground; their pregnant women will be ripped open.
