Daniel 2

1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled his spirit, and sleep escaped him.

1 Katika mwaka wa pili wa utawala wake, Nebukadneza aliota ndoto. Mawazo yake yakasumbuka na hakuweza kulala.

2 So the king gave orders to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to explain his dreams. When they came and stood before the king,

2 Hivyo mfalme akawaita waganga, wasihiri, wachawi na wanajimu ili wamwambie ndoto yake aliyokuwa ameota. Walipoingia ndani na kusimama mbele ya mfalme,

3 he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.”

3 akawaambia, “Niliota ndoto inayonisumbua, nami nataka nijue maana yake.”

4 Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “O king, may you live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”

4 Ndipo wanajimu wakamjibu mfalme kwa lugha ya Kiaramu, “Ee mfalme, uishi milele! Waambie watumishi wako hiyo ndoto, nasi tutaifasiri.”

5 The king replied to the astrologers, “My word is final: If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces and your houses will be reduced to rubble.

5 Mfalme akawajibu wanajimu, “Nimeamua hivi kwa uthabiti: Ikiwa hamtaniambia ndoto yangu ilikuwa ipi na kuifasiri, mtakatwa vipande vipande na nyumba zenu zitafanywa kuwa vifusi.

6 But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

6 Lakini mkiniambia ndoto yangu na kuielezea, mtapokea kwangu zawadi, tuzo na heshima kubwa. Basi niambieni ndoto yangu na mnifasirie.”

7 They answered a second time, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will give the interpretation.”

7 Wakajibu kwa mara nyingine, “Mfalme na awaambie watumishi wake ndoto yake, nasi tutaifasiri.”

8 The king replied, “I know for sure that you are stalling for time because you see that my word is final.

8 Ndipo mfalme akajibu, “Nina hakika kuwa mnajaribu kupata muda zaidi, kwa sababu mnatambua kuwa nimeamua hivi kwa uthabiti:

9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one decree for you. You have conspired to speak before me false and fraudulent words, hoping the situation will change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I will know that you can give me its interpretation.”

9 Ikiwa hamtaniambia ndoto yangu, ipo adhabu moja tu kwenu. Mmefanya shauri kuniambia habari za kunipotosha na mambo maovu, mkitumaini kwamba hali itabadilika. Hivyo basi, niambieni hiyo ndoto, nami nitajua kuwa mwaweza kunifasiria.”

10 The astrologers answered the king, “No one on earth can do what the king requests! No king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer.

10 Wanajimu wakamjibu mfalme, “Hakuna mtu duniani ambaye anaweza kufanya analotaka mfalme! Vilevile hakuna mfalme hata awe mkuu na mwenye uweza namna gani, aliyeuliza kitu kama hicho kwa mganga au kwa msihiri, wala kwa mnajimu yeyote.

11 What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

11 Anachouliza mfalme ni kigumu mno. Hakuna yeyote awezaye kumfunulia mfalme isipokuwa miungu, nao hawaishi miongoni mwa wanadamu.”

12 This response made the king so angry and furious that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

12 Jambo hili lilimkasirisha na kumghadhibisha mfalme mno hata kuagiza kuuawa kwa wenye hekima wote wa Babeli.

13 So the decree went out that the wise men were to be executed, and men went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them.

13 Hivyo amri ikatolewa ya kuwaua wenye hekima, nao watu wakatumwa kuwatafuta Danieli na rafiki zake ili wawaue.

14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel responded with discretion and tact.

14 Wakati Arioko, mkuu wa askari wa walinzi wa mfalme, alikuwa amekwenda kuwaua watu wenye hekima wa Babeli, Danieli akazungumza naye kwa hekima na busara.

15 “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” he asked. Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.

15 Akamuuliza huyo afisa wa mfalme, “Kwa nini mfalme ametoa amri kali hivyo?” Ndipo Arioko akamweleza Danieli jambo hilo.

16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give him the interpretation.

16 Aliposikia jambo hili, Danieli akamwendea mfalme, akamwomba ampe muda ili aweze kumfasiria ile ndoto.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

17 Ndipo Danieli akarudi nyumbani kwake na kuwaeleza rafiki zake Hanania, Mishaeli na Azaria jambo hilo.

18 urging them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

18 Aliwasihi waombe rehema kutoka kwa Mungu wa mbinguni kuhusu siri hii, ili yeye na rafiki zake wasije wakauawa pamoja na wenye hekima wengine wa Babeli.

19 During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven

19 Wakati wa usiku lile fumbo lilifunuliwa kwa Danieli katika maono. Ndipo Danieli akamhimidi Mungu wa mbinguni,

20 and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.

20 na akasema: “Lihimidiwe jina la Mungu milele na milele; hekima na uweza ni vyake.

21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

21 Yeye hubadili nyakati na majira; huwaweka wafalme na kuwaondoa. Huwapa hekima wenye hekima, na maarifa wenye ufahamu.

22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

22 Hufunua siri na mambo yaliyofichika; anajua yale yaliyo gizani, nayo nuru hukaa kwake.

23 To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, because You have given me wisdom and power. And now You have made known to me what we have requested, for You have made known to us the dream of the king.”

23 Ninakushukuru na kukuhimidi, Ee Mungu wa baba zangu: Umenipa hekima na uwezo, umenijulisha kile tulichokuomba, umetujulisha ndoto ya mfalme.”

24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation.”

24 Ndipo Danieli akamwendea Arioko, ambaye mfalme alikuwa amemteua kuwaua wenye hekima wa Babeli, akamwambia, “Usiwaue wenye hekima wa Babeli. Nipeleke kwa mfalme, nami nitamfasiria ndoto yake.”

25 Arioch hastily brought Daniel before the king and said to him, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who will tell the king the interpretation.”

25 Arioko akampeleka Danieli kwa mfalme mara moja na kumwambia, “Nimempata mtu miongoni mwa watu wa uhamisho kutoka Yuda ambaye anaweza kumwambia mfalme maana ya ndoto yake.”

26 The king responded to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me what I saw in the dream, as well as its interpretation?”

26 Mfalme akamuuliza Danieli (aliyeitwa pia Belteshaza), “Je, unaweza kuniambia nilichoona katika ndoto yangu na kuifasiri?”

27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires.

27 Danieli akajibu, “Hakuna mwenye hekima, msihiri, mganga au mwaguzi anayeweza kumweleza mfalme siri aliyouliza,

28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

28 lakini yuko Mungu mbinguni afunuaye siri. Amemwonyesha Mfalme Nebukadneza kitakachotokea siku zijazo. Ndoto yako na maono yaliyopita mawazoni mwako ulipokuwa umelala kitandani mwako ni haya:

29 As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen.

29 “Ee mfalme, ulipokuwa umelala kitandani, yalikujia mawazo kuhusu mambo yatakayotokea baadaye, naye mfunuaji wa siri akakuonyesha ni kitu gani kitakachotokea.

30 And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

30 Kwangu mimi, nimefunuliwa siri hii, si kwa sababu nina hekima kubwa kuliko watu wengine wanaoishi, bali ni ili wewe, ee mfalme, upate kujua tafsiri, na ili uweze kuelewa kile kilichopita mawazoni mwako.

31 As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome.

31 “Ee mfalme, ulitazama, na mbele yako ilisimama sanamu kubwa, kubwa mno kupita kiasi, sanamu iliyongʼaa na kutisha kwa kuonekana kwake.

32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,

32 Kichwa cha ile sanamu kilikuwa kimetengenezwa kwa dhahabu safi, kifua chake na mikono yake vilikuwa vya fedha, tumbo lake na mapaja yake vilikuwa vya shaba,

33 its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay.

33 miguu yake ilikuwa ya chuma, na nyayo zake zilikuwa chuma nazo sehemu nyingine zilikuwa udongo wa mfinyanzi uliochomwa.

34 As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them.

34 Ulipokuwa unaangalia, jiwe lilikatwa, lakini si kwa mikono ya mwanadamu. Lile jiwe liliipiga ile sanamu kwenye nyayo zake za chuma na udongo wa mfinyanzi, na kuivunja.

35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

35 Ndipo ile chuma, ule udongo wa mfinyanzi, ile shaba, ile fedha na ile dhahabu vikavunjika vipande vipande kwa wakati mmoja, na vikawa kama makapi katika sakafu ya kupuria nafaka wakati wa kiangazi. Upepo ukavipeperusha bila kuacha hata alama. Lakini lile jiwe lililoipiga ile sanamu likawa mlima mkubwa mno na kuijaza dunia yote.

36 This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation.

36 “Hii ndiyo iliyokuwa ndoto, nasi sasa tutamfasiria mfalme.

37 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.

37 Ee mfalme, wewe ni mfalme wa wafalme. Mungu wa mbinguni amekupa wewe utawala, uweza, nguvu na utukufu.

38 Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

38 Mikononi mwako amewaweka wanadamu, wanyama wa kondeni, na ndege wa angani. Popote waishipo amekufanya wewe kuwa mtawala juu yao wote. Wewe ndiye kile kichwa cha dhahabu.

39 But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth.

39 “Baada yako, ufalme mwingine utainuka, ulio dhaifu kuliko wako. Baadaye utafuata ufalme wa tatu, ule wa shaba, nao utatawala juu ya dunia yote.

40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others.

40 Hatimaye, kutakuwako na ufalme wa nne, wenye nguvu kama chuma, kwa maana chuma huvunja na kupondaponda kila kitu; kama vile chuma ivunjavyo vitu vipande vipande, ndivyo ufalme huo utakavyopondaponda na kuvunjavunja nyingine zote.

41 And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom, yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—just as you saw the iron mixed with clay.

41 Kama vile ulivyoona kuwa kwa sehemu nyayo na vidole vilikuwa vya udongo wa mfinyanzi uliochomwa na kwa sehemu nyingine chuma, hivyo huu utakuwa ufalme uliogawanyika; hata hivyo utakuwa na sehemu zenye nguvu za chuma ndani yake, kama vile ulivyoona chuma imechanganywa na udongo wa mfinyanzi.

42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

42 Kama vile vidole vyake vya miguu vilikuwa kwa sehemu chuma na sehemu udongo wa mfinyanzi, hivyo ufalme huo kwa sehemu utakuwa na nguvu na kwa sehemu udhaifu.

43 As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the peoples will mix with one another but will not hold together any more than iron mixes with clay.

43 Kama vile ulivyoona chuma kikiwa kimechanganyikana na udongo wa mfinyanzi uliochomwa, ndivyo watu watakavyokuwa mchanganyiko, wala hawatabaki wameungana tena, kama vile chuma kisivyoweza kuchanganyikana na udongo wa mfinyanzi.

44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.

44 “Katika siku za wafalme hao, Mungu wa mbinguni atauweka ufalme ambao kamwe hautaangamizwa, wala hautaachiwa taifa jingine. Utaziponda zile falme zote na kuzikomesha, bali wenyewe utadumu milele.

45 And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

45 Hii ndiyo maana ya maono ya jiwe lililochongwa kutoka mlimani, lakini si kwa mikono ya mwanadamu, lile jiwe ambalo lilivunja chuma, shaba, udongo wa mfinyanzi, fedha na dhahabu vipande vipande. “Mungu Mkuu amemwonyesha mfalme kile kitakachotokea wakati ujao. Ndoto hii ni ya kweli na tafsiri yake ni ya kuaminika.”

46 At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.

46 Ndipo Mfalme Nebukadneza akaanguka kifudifudi mbele ya Danieli kumpa heshima, akaagiza wamtolee Danieli sadaka na uvumba.

47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”

47 Mfalme akamwambia Danieli, “Hakika Mungu wako ni Mungu wa miungu, na Bwana wa wafalme, na mfunuaji wa siri zote, kwa maana umeweza kufunua siri hii.”

48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

48 Ndipo mfalme akamweka Danieli nafasi ya juu, na kumpa zawadi nyingi tele. Akamfanya kuwa mtawala wa jimbo lote la Babeli, na kumweka kuwa mkuu wa wenye hekima wote.

49 And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.

49 Zaidi ya hayo, kwa ombi la Danieli, mfalme akawateua Shadraki, Meshaki na Abednego kuwa wasimamizi wa jimbo la Babeli, huku Danieli akibaki katika ukumbi wa mfalme.