The Only Saviour
1 When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
Efraimu aliponena, palikuwa na tetemeko; alijitukuza katika Israeli; Lakini alipokosa katika Baali, alikufa.
2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
Na sasa wanazidi kufanya dhambi, nao wamejifanyizia sanamu kwa fedha yao, naam, sanamu kwa kadiri ya akili zao; zote pia ni kazi ya mafundi; nao huzitaja hivi, Wanaume watoao dhabihu na wazibusu ndama.
3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
Kwa sababu hiyo watakuwa kama wingu la asubuhi, na kama umande utowekao upesi, kama makapi yaliyopeperushwa na tufani sakafuni, na kama moshi utokao katika bomba.
4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
Lakini mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wako tangu nchi ya Misri; wala hutamjua mungu mwingine ila mimi; wala zaidi ya mimi hakuna Mwokozi.
5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
Mimi nalikujua katika jangwa, katika nchi yenye kiu nyingi.
6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Kwa kadiri ya malisho yao, kwa kadiri iyo hiyo walishiba; walishiba na moyo wao ukatukuka; ndiyo sababu wamenisahau mimi.
7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
Basi nimekuwa kama simba kwao; kama chui nitavizia njiani;
8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps , and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
nitakutana nao kama dubu aliyenyang'anywa watoto wake; nami nitararua nyama ya mioyo yao; na huko nitawala kama simba; huyo mnyama mkali atawararua.
9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
Haya ndiyo maangamizo yako, Ee Israeli, ya kuwa wewe u kinyume changu mimi, kinyume cha msaada wako.
10 I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
Yuko wapi sasa mfalme wako, apate kukuokoa katika miji yako yote? Na hao waamuzi wako, uliowanena hivi, Nipe mfalme na wakuu?
11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
Nimekupa mfalme katika hasira yangu, nikamwondoa katika ghadhabu yangu.
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
Uovu wa Efraimu umefungwa kwa kukazwa; dhambi yake imewekwa akiba.
13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
Utungu wa mwanamke mwenye mimba utampata; yeye ni mwana asiye na akili; maana wakati umewadia, ambao haimpasi kukawia mahali wapenyapo watoto.
14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Nitawakomboa na nguvu za kaburi; nitawaokoa na mauti; ewe mauti, ya wapi mapigo yako? Ewe kaburi, ku wapi kuharibu kwako? Kujuta kutafichwa na macho yangu.
15 Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Ajapokuwa yeye ni mwenye kuzaa sana kati ya ndugu zake, upepo wa mashariki utakuja, hiyo pumzi ya Bwana itokayo upande wa nyikani, na kijito chake cha maji kitakauka, na chemchemi yake itakaushwa; yeye atateka nyara hazina ya vyombo vyote vipendezavyo.
16 Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
Samaria atachukua hatia yake; kwa maana amemwasi Mungu wake; wataanguka kwa upanga; watoto wao wachanga watavunjwa vipande vipande, na wanawake wao wenye mimba watatambuliwa.
