The Father's Love
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Israeli alipokuwa mtoto, nalikuwa nikimpenda, nikamwita mwanangu atoke Misri.
2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Kadiri walivyowaita ndivyo walivyoondoka na kuwaacha; waliwatolea dhabihu Mabaali, na kuzifukizia uvumba sanamu za kuchonga.
3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
Lakini nalimfundisha Efraimu kwenda kwa miguu; naliwachukua mikononi mwangu; hawakujua ya kuwa naliwaponya.
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
Naliwavuta kwa kamba za kibinadamu, kwa mafungo ya upendo; nami nalikuwa kwao kama hao waondoao kongwa tayani mwao, nikaandika chakula mbele yao.
5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
Hatarudi tena nchi ya Misri; bali huyo Mwashuri atakuwa mfalme wake; kwa sababu walikataa kurejea.
6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them , because of their own counsels.
Na upanga utaiangukia miji yake, utayaharibu makomeo yake na kuyala, kwa sababu ya mashauri yao wenyewe.
7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him .
Na watu wangu wamejipinda kuniacha; ingawa wawaita kwenda kwake Aliye juu, hapana hata mmoja atakayemtukuza.
8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
Niwezeje kukuacha, Efraimu? Niwezeje kukuponya, Israeli? Niwezeje kukufanya kama Adma? Niwezeje kukuweka kama Seboimu? Moyo wangu umegeuka ndani yangu, huruma zangu zimewaka pamoja.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
Sitatumia ukali wa hasira yangu, sitarudi kumwangamiza Efraimu; kwa maana mimi ni Mungu, si mwanadamu mimi; mimi ndiye aliye Mtakatifu katikati yenu; wala sitaingia ndani ya mji.
10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
Watakwenda kumfuata Bwana, atakayenguruma kama simba; kwa maana atanguruma, nao watoto watakuja kutoka magharibi wakitetemeka.
11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
Watakuja wakitetemeka kama shomoro, toka Misri, na kama hua, toka nchi ya Ashuru; nami nitawakalisha katika nyumba zao, asema Bwana.
12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Efraimu amenizinga kwa maneno ya uongo, na nyumba ya Israeli kwa udanganyifu; na Yuda hata sasa anasita-sita kwa Mungu, na kwake aliye Mtakatifu, naye ni mwaminifu.
