Malaki 1
1 Tamko la neno la Bwana kwa Israeki kwa mkono wa Malaki.
A prophecy: This message came from the Lord concerning Israel through Malachi.
2 “Nilikupenda, “asema Bwana. Lakini unasema, “kwa jinsi gani ulitupenda?” Esau siyo ndugu yake Yakobo?” asema Bwana. “Na bado nampenda Yakobo,
I have loved you, says the Lord. But you ask, “How have you loved us?” Wasn't Esau Joseph's brother? the Lord responds. But I loved Joseph
3 lakini nimemchukia Esau. nimeifanya milima yake kuwa ukiwa, na nimepafanya urithi wake kuwa makao ya mbweha wa jangwani.”
and despised Esau. I have made Esau's mountain homeland into a wasteland, and turned his inheritance into a desert for jackals.
4 Kama Edomu husema, “Tumepigwa, lakini tutarudi na kujenga palipoharibiwa; “Bwana wa Majeshi asama hivi, “Watajenga lakini nitaiangusha chini; na wanaume watawaita 'Nchi ya uovu', na 'Watu ambao ambao Mungu ana hasira nao milele.”'
The people of Edom may be saying: “We have been beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins.” But this is what the Lord Almighty says, They may try and build, but I will tear down. They will be called a land of wickedness, and the people those who make the Lord angry forever.
5 kwa macho yenu mtaona hili, na mtasema, “Bwana ni mkuu mbele ya mipaka ya Israel.”
You will see this destruction with your own eyes, and you will say, “The Lord is great, even beyond the borders of Israel.”
6 mtoto amtiibaba yake, na mtumwa amtii bwana wake. ikiwa mimi, ni baba, iko wapi heshima yangu? na kama mimi ni bwana, iko wapi heshima yangu? Bwana wa majeshi asema hivi kwenu, makuhani, mnaodharau jina langu. lakini mnasema, 'tumeridharauje jina lako?
A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. So if I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? says the Lord Almighty to you priests who show contempt for me. But you ask, “How have we shown contempt for you?”
7 kwa kutoa mikate iliyonajisi madhabahuni kwangu. Na mnasema kuwa, 'Tumekuradhau kwa namna gani?' Kwa kusema hivyomeza ya Bwana imedharauliwa.
By making defiled offerings on my altar. Then you ask, “How have we defiled you?” By saying the Lord's table doesn't deserve respect.
8 Mkitoa sadaka ya wanyama vipofu, hiyo siyo dhambi? na kama mkitoa vilema na wagonjwa, hiyo siyo dhambi? pelekeni hili kwa liwali; atawakubali au atainua nyuso zetu?” asema Bwana wa Majeshi.
When you offer a blind animal as a sacrifice, isn't that wrong? Or when you offer an animal that is crippled or sick, isn't that wrong? Would you give such gifts to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Would he be kind and show favor to you? asks the Lord Almighty.
9 Na sasa, mnajaribu kutafuta neema ya Mungu, ili kwamba awe mwema kwetu. “Na aina gani ya sadaka kwa sehemu yenu, ataziinua nyuso zenu? asema Bwana wa Majeshi.
So why don't you try being kind to God, begging him to be merciful to you? But when you bring such offerings, why should he show favor to you? asks the Lord Almighty.
10 Kama kungekuwa na mtu ambaye angefunga lango la Hekalu, ili kwamba kusewe na mto madhabahuni bure! lakini sina radhi na ninyi, “asema Bwana wa majeshi, “na sitaikubali sadaka yeyote kutoka katika mikono yenu.
I really wish one of you would shut the Temple doors to stop you lighting pointless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept offerings from you.
11 Kutoka mawio ya jua mpaka machweo jina langu litakuwa kuu katikati ya mataifa; katika kila sehemu uvumba utatolewa katika jina langu, na pia sadaka safi. Kwa sababu jina langu likuwa kuu sana katikatik ya mataif,” asema Bwana wa majeshi.
I am honored by nations from the farthest east to the distant west; everywhere people make offerings to me of incense and pure sacrifices. I am honored among the nations, says the Lord Almighty.
12 “lakini ninyi mnachafua mnaposema meza ya Bwana mnainajisi, na matunda yake, na chakula chake kudharauka.
But you dishonor me when you say the Lord's table doesn't deserve respect, and that its food can be treated with contempt.
13 Na ninyi pia mwasema, 'jambo hili limetuchosha, nanyi mnalidharau, “asema Bwana wa majeshi. “Mmerudisha kilichokuwa kimechukuliwa na wanyama wa mwitu au vilema au walio wagonjwa; na ndicho mnaleta kuwa sadaka zenu! Je naweza kuikubali hii mikononi mwenu?” asema Bwana.
You say, “All this is too much trouble!” and you sniff scornfully at it, says the Lord Almighty. But when you bring animals that are stolen or crippled or sick and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept what you're giving? asks the Lord.
14 Alaniwe alye mdanganyifu, ambaye anaye mnyama dume katika kundi lake ana akaahidi kunitolea, lakini bado anatoa kwangu, mimi Bwana, ambayo ni kiujanja ujanja; kwa kuwa mimi ni mfalme mkuu,” asema Bwana wa Majeshi, “na jina langu litaogopwa katika mataifa.”
Cursed are those who cheat by vowing to bring a ram as a sacrifice and then offers an imperfect animal to the Lord. For I am a great King, says the Lord Almighty, and I am respected among the nations!
