Isaiah 46

1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.

1 Beli anasujudu hadi nchi, Nebo anainama; sanamu zao zabebwa na wanyama wa mizigo. Vinyago hivi mnavyobeba kila mahali ni mzigo wa kulemea, mzigo kwa waliochoka.

2 The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.

2 Vinyago pamoja na wale wanaovibeba wanainama chini; hiyo miungu haiwezi kuwaokoa watu, wote wanakwenda utumwani pamoja.

3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.

3 “Nisikilizeni mimi, ee nyumba ya Yakobo, ninyi nyote mliobaki wa nyumba ya Israeli, ninyi ambao nimewategemeza tangu mlipotungwa mimba, nami nimewabeba tangu kuzaliwa kwenu.

4 Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

4 Hata mpaka wakati wa uzee wenu na mvi, Mimi ndiye, Mimi ndiye nitakayewasaidia ninyi. Nimewahuluku, nami nitawabeba, nitawasaidia ninyi na kuwaokoa.

5 To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

5 “Mtanilinganisha na nani, au mtanihesabu kuwa sawa na nani? Ni nani mtakayenifananisha naye ili tuweze kulinganishwa?

6 They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.

6 Wengine humwaga dhahabu kutoka kwenye mifuko yao, na kupima fedha kwenye mizani; huajiri mfua dhahabu kutengeneza mungu, kisha huisujudia na kuiabudu.

7 They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

7 Huiinua mabegani na kuichukua; huiweka mahali pake, papo hapo ndipo isimamapo. Wala haiwezi kusogea kutoka mahali pale. Ingawa mtu huililia, haimjibu; haiwezi kumwokoa kwenye taabu zake.

8 Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!

8 “Kumbukeni hili, litieni akilini, liwekeni moyoni, enyi waasi.

9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.

9 Kumbukeni mambo yaliyopita, yale ya zamani za kale; mimi ndimi Mungu, wala hakuna mwingine; mimi ndimi Mungu, wala hakuna mwingine aliye kama mimi.

10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

10 Ni mimi nitangazaye mwisho tangu mwanzo, naam, tangu zamani za kale, mambo ambayo hayajatendeka. Ninasema: Kusudi langu ndilo litakalosimama, nami nitatenda mapenzi yangu yote.

11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

11 Kutoka mashariki ninaita ndege awindaye; kutoka nchi ya mbali, mtu atakayetimiza kusudi langu. Lile ambalo nimelisema, ndilo nitakalolitimiza; lile nililolipanga, ndilo nitakalolitenda.

12 Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:

12 Nisikilizeni, ninyi wenye mioyo migumu, ninyi mlio mbali na haki.

13 I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.

13 Ninaleta haki yangu karibu, haiko mbali; wala wokovu wangu hautachelewa. Nitawapa Sayuni wokovu, Israeli utukufu wangu.