< Yoshua 22 >

1 Kwa wakati huo, Yoshua aliwaita Warubeni, Wagadi, na nusu ya kabila la Manase.
Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh,
2 Aliwaambia, “Mmefanya kila kitu ambacho Musa mtumishi wa Yahweh aliwaagiza ninyi. Mmeitii sauti yangu katika yote niliyowaagiza.
and said unto them: 'Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have hearkened unto my voice in all that I commanded you;
3 Bado hamjawaacha ndugu zenu hawa kwa siku zote hizi, mpaka siku hii ya leo. Na mmetimiza wajibu unaotakiwa na amri za Yahweh Mungu wenu.
ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
4 Sasa Yahweh Mungu wenu amewapa pumziko ndugu zenu, kama alivyowaahidi. Hivyo basi, rudini na mwende katika hema zenu katika nchi mnayoimiliki, ambayo Musa mtumishi wa Yahweh aliwapeni katika upande mwingine wa Yordani.
And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as He spoke unto them; therefore now turn ye, and get you unto your tents, unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan.
5 Lakini zingatieni kuzishika amri na sheria ambazo Musa mtumishi wa Yahweh aliwaagiza ninyi, kumpenda Yahweh Mungu wenu, kutembea katika njia zake, kuzitunza amri zake, na kuambatana naye na kumwabudu yeye kwa moyo wenu wote na kwa roho zenu zote.
Only take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.'
6 Basi Yoshua akawabariki na kisha akawaacha waende zao, nao wakarudi katika hema zao.
So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went unto their tents.
7 Na kwa nusu ya kabila la Manase, Musa alikuwa amewapa urithi katika Bashani, lakini kwa nusu ya kabila hilo, Yoshua aliwapa urithi karibu na ndugu zao katika nchi magharibi mwa Yordani. Yoshua aliwaaga waende katika hema zao; aliwabarikia,
Now to the one half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given inheritance in Bashan; but unto the other half gave Joshua among their brethren beyond the Jordan westward. Moreover when Joshua sent them away unto their tents, he blessed them,
8 na kisha akawaambia, “Rudini katika hema zenu mkiwa na pesa nyingi, na mkiwa na mifugo mingi, pamoja na na fedha, na dhahabu, na shaba na chuma, na nguo nyingi. Gawaneni na ndugu zenu nyara mlizochukua kutoka kwa maadui zenu.
and spoke unto them, saying: 'Return with much wealth unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment; divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.'
9 Hivyo, wazawa wa Rubeni, wazawa wa Gadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase walirudi nyumbani, waliwaacha watu wa Isaeli hapo Shilo, ambayo imo ndani ya nchi ya Kanaani. Waliondoka wakaenda katika mkoa wa Gileadi, katika nchi yao, ambayo wao wenyewe waliimiliki, katika utiifu wa amri za Yahweh, kwa mkono wa Musa.
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the land of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
10 Nao walipofika hapo Yordani iliyo katika nchi ya Kanaani, Warubeni na Wagadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase walijenga madhabahu karibu na Yordani, madhabahu kubwa na iliyotokeza na mashuhuri.
And when they came unto the region about the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by the Jordan, a great altar to look upon.
11 Watu wa Israeli walisikia habari hizo na wakaseam, “Tazama! Watu wa Rubeni, Gadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase wamejenga madhabahu mbele ya nchi ya Kanaani, huko Gelilothi, katika mkoa karibu na Yordani, katika upande ambao ni miliki ya watu wa Israeli.”
And the children of Israel heard say: 'Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar in the forefront of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that pertaineth to the children of Israel.'
12 Wakati watu wa Israeli waliposikia hivyo, kusanyiko lote la watu wa Israeli walikusanyika kwa pamoja huko Shilo ili wapande kupigana vita nao.
And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up against them to war.
13 Kisha watu wa Israeli walituma wajumbe kwa Warubeni, Wagadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase, katika nchi ya Gileadi. Walimtuma pia Finehasi mwana wa Eliezari, kuhani,
And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest;
14 na viongozi kumi pamoja naye, mmoja kutoka katika familia za mababa wa Israeli, na kila mmoja wao alikuwa ni kiongozi wa ukoo miongoni mwa watu wa Israeli.
and with him ten princes, one prince of a fathers' house for each of the tribes of Israel; and they were every one of them head of their fathers' houses among the thousands of Israel.
15 Walienda kwa watu wa Rubeni, Gadi, na nusu ya kabila la Manase, katika nchi ya Gileadi, na wakawaambia:
And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying:
16 “Kusanyiko lote la Yahweh linasema kuwa, ' Ni jambo gani hili lisilo la uaminifu ambalo mmelitenda kinyume na Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kugeuka badala ya kumfuata Yahweh siku hii na kujijengea wenyewe madhabahu katika uasi kinyume na Yahweh katika siku hii?
'Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD: What treachery is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, to rebel this day against the LORD?
17 Je dhambi zetu huko Peori hazikututosha? Bado hata sasa hatujajitakasa wenyewe kwa dhambi hiyo. Kwa ajili ya dhambi ile lilikuja pigo kwa kusanyiko lote la Yahweh.
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves unto this day, although there came a plague upon the congregation of the LORD,
18 Je, nanyi leo pia mwageuka na kuacha kumfuata Yahweh? Kama mtaasi kinyume na Yahweh leo, kesho atakuwa na hasira na kusanyiko lote la Israeli.
that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to-day against the LORD, that to-morrow He will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.
19 Na kama nchi ambayo mnaimiliki imetiwa unajisi, basi mwaweza kuvuka katika nchi ambayo Sanduku la Yahweh lasimama na mjichukulie kwa ajili yenu umiliki miongoni mwetu. Hamtakiwi kuasi kinyume na Yahweh tu, wala kuasi kinyume chetu kwa kujenga madhabahu kwa ajili yenu wenyewe badala ya madhabahu ya Yahweh Mungu wa wetu.
Howbeit, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us; but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar besides the altar of the LORD our God.
20 Je hakuwa Akani mwana wa Zera aliyeivunja imani kwa vitu vile ambavyo vilikuwa vimetunzwa kwa ajili ya Mungu? Na je ghadhabu ya Mungu haikushuka kwa watu wote wa Israeli? Mtu yule hakuangamia peke yake kwa uovu wake.
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass concerning the devoted thing, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.'
21 Kisha makabila ya Rubeni, Gadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase wakawajibu wazee wa koo za Israeli:
Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered, and spoke unto the heads of the thousands of Israel:
22 “Yahweh, Mungu Mwenye nguvu! Yahweh, Mungu Mwenye nguvu! Yeye anajua, na Israeli naijue yenyewe! Kama ilikuwa ni katika uasi au katika kuvunja imani kinyume na Yahweh, msituache hai katika siku hii ya leo
'God, God, the LORD, God, God, the LORD, He knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in treachery against the LORD — save Thou us not this day —
23 kwa ajili ya kujenga madhabahu ili tugeuka na kuacha kumfuata Yahweh. Kama tumejenga madhabahu hii ili kutoa juu yake sadaka ya kuteketezwa, sadaka ya nafaka, au sadaka ya amani, basi Yahweh na atuadhibu.
that we have built us an altar to turn away from following the LORD; or if to offer thereon burnt-offering or meal-offering, or if to offer sacrifices of peace-offerings thereon, let the LORD Himself require it;
24 La hasha, tulifanya hivyo kwa sababu ya hofu kwamba katika siku zijazo watoto wenu wanaweza kuwaambia watoto wetu, ' Mna nini ninyi na Yahweh, Mungu wa Israeli?
and if we have not rather out of anxiety about a matter done this, saying: In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying: What have ye to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?
25 Kwa kuwa Yahweh ameifanya Yordani kuwa mpaka kati yetu na ninyi. Ninyi watu wa Rubeni na watu wa Gadi, hamna kitu chochote naYahweh.' Na kwa hali hiyo, watoto wenu wanaweza kuwafanya watoto wetu waacha kumwabudu Yahweh.
for the LORD hath made the Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no portion in the LORD; so might your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
26 Basi tukasema, 'Hebu na tujenge sasa madhabahu, si kwa ajili ya sadaka ya kuteketezwa wala si kwa sadaka yoyote ile,
Therefore we said: Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice;
27 ila iwe ni ushahidi kati yetu na ninyi, na kati ya kizazi chetu baada yetu, kwamba tutafanya ibada ya Yahweh mbele yake, pamoja na sadaka zetu za kuteketezwa na dhabihu zetu na sadaka zetu za amani, ili kwamba watoto wenu wasiweze kuwaambia watoto wetu katika siku zijazo kuwa, “Hamna sehemu katika Yahweh.”'
but it shall be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of the LORD before Him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come: Ye have no portion in the LORD.
28 Hivyo tukasema, 'kama hili litasemwa kwa kwetu au kwa watoto wetu katika siku zijazo, tutasema, “Tazama! Huu ni mfano wa madhabahu ya Yahweh, ambayo mababu zetu waliifanya, si kwa ajili ya sadaka za kuteketezwa, wala si kwa dhabihu, bali kwa ajili ya ushahidi kati yetu ninyi.”
Therefore said we: It shall be, when they so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we shall say: Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt-offering, nor for sacrifice; but it is a witness between us and you.
29 Na iwe mbali nasi kwamba tunataka kugeuka kinyume na Yahweh, na kuacha kumfuata yeye kwa kujenga madhabahu kwa ajili sadaka ya kuteketezwa, na kwa sadaka ya nafaka, au kwa dhabihu, badala ya madhabahu ya Yahweh Mungu wetu ambayo iko mbele ya hema la kukutania.'”
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn away this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt-offering, for meal-offering, or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the LORD our God that is before His tabernacle.'
30 Finehasi kuhani na viongozi wa watu, ambao ni wakuu wa koo za Waisraeli ambao walikuwa pamoja naye, waliposikia maneno amabayo watu wa Rubeni, Gadi na nusu ya kabila la Manase, kwamba yalikuwa ni mazuri machoni pao.
And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation, even the heads of the thousands of Israel that were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them well.
31 Finehasi mwana wa Eliazeri kuhani aliwaambia watu wa Rubeni, Gadi na Manase, “Leo tumejua kwambaYahweh yuko miongoni mwetu, kwa kuwa hamjatenda uvunjaji wa imani kinyume naye. Sasa, mmewaokoa watu wa Israeli kutoka katika mkono wa Yahweh.”
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh: 'This day we know that the LORD is in the midst of us, because ye have not committed this treachery against the LORD; now have ye delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.'
32 Kisha Finehasi mwana wa Eliazeri kuhani, na viongozi walirudi kutoka kwa Warubeni na Wagadi, kutoka katika nchi ya Gileadi, na kurudi katika nchi ya Kanaani, kwa watu wa Israeli, na waliwaletea taarifa.
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them back word.
33 Taarifa yao ilikuwa nzuri katika macho ya watu wa Israeli. Watu wa Israeli walimbarikia Mungu na hawakuendelea kusema tena juu ya kuinua vita dhidi ya Warubeni na Wagadi, ili kuiharibu nchi ambayo walikuwa wanaishi.
And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and spoke no more of going up against them to war, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and the children of Gad dwelt.
34 Warubeni na Wagadi waliita ile madhabahu “Ushahidi,” kwa kuwa walisema, “Ni ushahidi miongoni mwetu kuwa Yahweh ni Mungu.”
And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar —: 'for it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.'

< Yoshua 22 >