< Hosea 7 >
1 Wakati wowote ninapotaka kuponya Israeli, dhambi ya Efraimu inafunuliwa, pamoja na matendo maovu ya Samaria, kwa sababu wanafanya udanganyifu; mwizi huingia, na kundi la wanyang'anyi hushambulia mitaani.
When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
2 Hawatambui mioyoni mwao kwamba ninakumbuka matendo yao mabaya. Sasa matendo yao huwazunguka; yapo mbele ya uso wangu.
They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.
3 Kwa sababu ya uovu wao wamemfanya mfalme awe na furaha, na maofisa wao kwa uongo wao.
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4 Wote ni wazinzi, kama tanuru iliyochomwa na mwokaji, ambaye huacha kuuchochea moto tangu kukanda unga mpaka kuwa chachu.
They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.
5 Siku ya mfalme wetu, viongozi walijifanya wagonjwa na ukali wa divai. Alinyoosha mkono wake kwa wale waliokuwa wakidhihaki.
On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He joined his hand with mockers.
6 kwa mioyo kama tanuri, wao hupanga mipango yao ya udanganyifu. Hasira zao hulala usiku wote; asubuhi huwaka juu kama moto.
For they have prepared their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their anger smolders all night. In the morning it burns as a flaming fire.
7 Wote wamepata moto kama tanuru, na huwaangamiza wale wanaowatawala. Wafalme wao wote wameanguka; hakuna hata mmoja wao ananiita.
They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges. All their kings have fallen. There is no one among them who calls to me.
8 Efraimu anajichanganya mwenyewe kati ya watu. Efraimu ni mkate ambayo haujawahi kugeuzwa.
Ephraim mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.
9 Wageni wamekula nguvu zake, lakini hajui. Nywele za mvi hunyunyiza juu yake, lakini hajui.
Strangers have devoured his strength, and he does not realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he does not realize it.
10 Kiburi cha Israeli kinawashuhudia; hata hivyo, hawajarudi kwa Bwana, Mungu wao, wala hawakumtafuta licha ya hayo yote.
The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they have not returned to the LORD their God, nor sought him, for all this.
11 Efraimu ni kama njiwa, baradhuli na asiye na busara, humwita kwenda Misri, kisha huruka kwenda Ashuru.
“Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
12 Wakienda, nitasambaza wavu wangu juu yao, nami nitawaangusha kama ndege wa angani. Nitawaadhibu katika kusonga kwao pamoja.
When they go, I will spread my net on them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.
13 Ole wao! Kwa maana wamepotea kutoka kwangu. Uharibifu unawajia! Wao wameasi dhidi yangu! Napenda kuwaokoa, lakini waliongea uongo dhidi yangu.
Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14 Wala hawakunililia kwa moyo wao wote, lakini wanaomboleza kwenye vitanda vyao. Wanakusanyika kwa ajili ya nafaka na divai mpya, nao wananiasi mimi.
They have not cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.
15 Ingawa niliwafundisha na kuimarisha mikono yao, sasa wanapanga mabaya dhidi yangu.
Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.
16 Wanarudi, lakini harudi kwangu, Niliye Juu. Wao ni kama upinde usiotumainika. Maofisa wao wataanguka kwa upanga kwa sababu ya udhalimu wa vinywa. Hii itakuwa ni aibu yao katika nchi ya Misri.
They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.