Zekaria 3

1 Kisha Yahwe akanionesha Yoshua kuhani mkuu amesimama mbele za malaika wa Yahwe na Shetani amesimama mkono wake wa kushoto kumshitaki kwa ajili ya dhambi.

Then the Lord showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing on his right accusing him.

2 Malaika wa Yahwe akamwambia Shetani, “Yahwe na akukemee, Yahwe, aliyeuchagua Yerusalemu, akukemee! Je hiki si kinga kilichotolewa motoni”

And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebukes you Satan. I, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you. Isn't he like a half-burned stick snatched from the fire?”

3 Yoshua alikuwa na mavazi machafu aliposimama mbele ya malaika.

Joshua was wearing filthy clothes as he stood in front of the angel.

4 Malaika akawaambia waliosimama mbele yake, “Mvulisheni hayo mavazi machafu.” Kisha akamwambia Yoshua, “Tazama! nimeuondoa uovu wako na nitakuvika mavazi safi.”

The angel said to those standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See how I have taken away your sins from you, and now I am dressing you with fine clothes.”

5 Haya wamvike kilemba safi kichwani!” Hivyo wakaweka kilemba safi kichwani pa Yoshua na wakamvika mavazi safi wakati malaika wa Yahwe amesimama kando.

Then I said, “Wrap a clean turban around his head.” So they wrapped a clean turban around his head and put the clothes on him while the angel of the Lord stood there.

6 Kisha malaika wa Yahwe akamwagiza Yoshua na kusema,

Then the angel of the Lord solemnly advised Joshua, saying,

7 Yahwe wa majeshi asema hivi: “Ikiwa utatembea katika njia zangu, na kutunza amri zangu, ndipo utakapoisimamia nyumba yangu na kulinda nyua zangu, kwa maana nitakuruhusu kwenda na kutoka kati ya wasimamao mbele zangu.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: If you follow my ways and observe my commands, then you will govern my Temple and its courtyards. I will allow you to walk among those standing here.

8 WeweYoshua kuhani mkuu na wenzako wanaoishi nawe! Sikilizeni. Watu hawa ni ishara, kwa kuwa mimi mwenyewe nitamwinua mtumishi wangu aitwaye Tawi.

Pay attention, high priest Joshua and all your fellow-priests that you teach! You are a sign of good things to come. Look! I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.

9 Tazameni jiwe nililoliweka mbele ya Yoshua. Kuna macho saba juu ya jiwe hili moja, nami nitaandika maneno juu yake - asema Yahwe wa majeshi - nami nitaondoa dhambi katika nchi hii kwa siku moja.

See that I have placed a precious stone in front of Joshua, a single stone with seven faces. Watch, for I myself am going to engrave seven eyes on it, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will wipe away the sins of this land in a single day.

10 Katika siku hiyo kila mtu atamwalika jirani yake kukaa chini ya mzabibu na mtini wake.” asema Yahwe wa majeshi.

On that day everyone will invite their friends to sit in peace under their vines and fig trees, says the Lord Almighty.”