< 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 spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he 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.'
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
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.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the 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 YHWH thy Elohim from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no elohim but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
5 Nilikujua jangwani, katika nchi yenye kame.
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
6 Wakati ulipokuwa na malisho, ulishiba; na wakati uliposhiba, moyo wako ukainuliwa. Kwa sababu hiyo umenisahau.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
7 Nitakuwa kama simba; kama chui nitaangalia kando ya njia.
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
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 meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
9 Nitawaangamiza, Israeli; nani atakayekusaidia?
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
10 Mfalme wako yuko wapi, ili akuokoe katika miji yako yote? Wako wapi wakuu, ambao kwao umeniambia hivi, 'Nipe mfalme na wakuu'?
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
11 Nimekupa mfalme kwa hasira yangu, nikamchukua kwa ghadhabu yangu.
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
12 Uovu wa Efraimu umehifadhiwa; hatia yake imehifadhiwa.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
13 Atakuwa na uchungu wa kujifungua, lakini ni mwana mjinga, kwa maana wakati wa kuzaliwa, hatatoka tumboni.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
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 )
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. (Sheol )
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.
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of YHWH shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
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 shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her Elohim: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.