Zekaria 2
1 Kisha nikainua macho yangu na kuona mtu akiwa na timazi mkononi mwake.
Then I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line/tape.
2 Nikamwuliza, “Unakwenda wapi?” Akaniambia, “Ninakwenda kuupima Yerusalemu ili kujua upana na urefu wake.”
I asked him, “Where are you going?” He replied, “[I am going] to measure Jerusalem, to determine how wide it is and how long it is.”
3 Ndipo malaika aliyekuwa anaongea nami akaondoka na malaika mwingine akaenda kukutana naye.
Then the angel who had been talking to me started to leave, and another angel walked toward him.
4 Malaika wa pili akamwambia, “Nenda uongee na yule kijana umwambie, 'Yerusalemu utakuwa bila kuta kwa sababu ya wingi wa watu na wanyama ndani yake.
That other angel said to him, “Run and tell that young man that [some day] there will be very many people and livestock in Jerusalem, with the result that there will be too many to live inside the city walls; many will [live outside] the walls.
5 Kwa maana Yahwe asema, Nitakuwa ulinzi wake, na nitakuwa utukufu katikati yake.
And Yahweh says that he [himself] will be [like] [MET] a wall of fire around [the city], and he will be there with his glory.”
6 Kimbieni! kimbieni! kimbieni kutoka nchi ya kaskazini - asema Yahwe - kwa maana nimewatawanya kama pepo nne za anga! - Asema Yahwe.
Yahweh declares [to the people who were exiled to Babylonia], “Run! Flee from Babylonia [MTY], the country east [of Israel], and flee in all directions from the places where I caused you to be scattered!
7 Kimbilieni Sayuni haraka! ninyi mnaokaa na binti Babeli!” Asema Yahwe.
You people [who previously lived in] Jerusalem and who [now] live in Babylon, flee from there!
8 Kwa maana baada ya Yahwe wa majeshi kuniheshimu aliniweka kinyume na mataifa yaliyowateka - kwani awagusaye, agusa mboni ya jicho la Mungu! - baada ya Yahwe kutenda hivi, alisema,
The [armies of the] nations that [attacked you and] took away your valuable possessions have attacked those who are very precious to the Commander of the armies of angels [IDM]. So he says this about me: ‘After I have honored him and sent him to [rebuke] the nations,
9 “Mimi mwenyewe nitatikisa mkono wangu juu yao, nao watakuwa mateka kwa watumwa wao.” Ndipo mtakapojua kwamba Yahwe wa majeshi amenituma.
[it is as though] I will strike them with my fist, with the result that those who were their slaves will [now] take back their possessions from those who caused them to become slaves.’ And when that happens, you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels is the one who sent me.”
10 “Imba kwa furaha, binti Sayuni, kwa maana mimi mwenyewe nitakaa nawe! - asema Yahwe
Yahweh says, “[You people of] Jerusalem [APO], shout and be happy, [because] I will be coming [to you] and I will live among you!”
11 Mataifa makubwa yataungana na Yahwe siku hiyo. “Nanyi mtakuwa watu wangu; kwa kuwa nitakaa kati yenu,” nanyi mtajua kuwa Yahwe wa majeshi amenituma kwenu.
At that time, [people of] many nations will be united to Yahweh and will become his people. He will live among [all of] you; and you will know that the Commander of the armies of angels [is the one who] sent me to you.
12 Kwa maana Yahwe ataimilki Yuda kama milki yake halali katika nchi takatifu na kwa mara nyingine tena atauchagua Yerusalema kwa ajili yake mwenyewe.
[The people of] Judah will be a very special part of his sacred country, and Jerusalem will again be the city that he has chosen.
13 Nyamazeni, mbele za Yahwe, ninyi wote wenye mwili, maana ameinuka kutoka mahali patakatifu pake!
Everyone, [everywhere, ] should be silent in the presence of Yahweh, because he [again] will come [down] from the sacred place where he lives in heaven [to do great things for us].
