< Hosea 14 >
1 Israeli, rudi kwa Bwana, Mungu wako, kwa kuwa umeanguka kwa sababu ya uovu wako.
O Israel, returne vnto the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen by thine iniquitie.
2 Chukueni maneno pamoja nanyi na mrudieni Yahweh. Mwambieni, “Ondoa uovu wetu wote, uyakubali mema, ili tuweze kukupa matunda ya midomo yetu.
Take vnto you words, and turne to the Lord, and say vnto him, Take away all iniquitie, and receiue vs graciously: so wil we render the calues of our lippes.
3 Ashuru haitatuokoa; hatutapanda farasi kwenda vitani. Hatuwezi tena kuiambia kazi ya mikono yetu, 'ninyi ni miungu yetu,' kwa maana kwako mtu asiye na baba hupata huruma.”
Asshur shall not saue vs, neither wil we ride vpon horses, neither will we say any more to the worke of our handes, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherlesse findeth mercie.
4 'Nitawaponya kugeuka kwao; Nami nitawapenda kwa moyo, kwa maana hasira yangu itaondoka kwake.
I wil heale their rebellion: I wil loue them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5 Nitakuwa kama umande kwa Israeli; atachanua kama maua na kuchukua mizizi kama mwerezi nchini Lebanoni.
I will be as the dewe vnto Israel: he shall grow as the lilie and fasten his rootes, as the trees of Lebanon.
6 Matawi yake yataenea; Uzuri wake utakuwa kama mizeituni, na harufu yake kama mierezi ya Lebanoni.
His branches shall spread, and his beautie shalbe as the oliue tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7 Watu wanaoishi katika kivuli chake watarejea; watafufuliwa kama nafaka na maua kama mizabibu. Utukufu wake utakuwa kama divai ya Lebanoni.
They that dwel vnder his shadow, shall returne: they shall reuiue as the corne, and florish as the vine: the sent thereof shalbe as the wine of Lebanon.
8 Efraimu, nifanye nini tena na sanamu? Mimi nitamjibu na kumtunza. Mimi ni kama mberoshi majani yake ni ya kijani daima; kutoka kwangu huja matunda yako.”
Ephraim shall say, What haue I to doe any more with idoles? I haue heard him, and looked vpon him: I am like a greene firre tree: vpon me is thy fruite founde.
9 Nani mwenye busara ili aelewe mambo haya? Nani anaelewa mambo haya ili awatambue? Kwa kuwa njia za Bwana ni sawa, na wenye haki watatembea ndani yao, lakini waasi wataanguka ndani yake.
Who is wise, and he shall vnderstande these things? and prudent, and he shall knowe them? for the wayes of the Lord are righteous, and the iust shall walke in them: but the wicked shall fall therein.