Luke 11
1 Naki Yesu a si'a bre Irji ni bubu ri, ni-andi a kle bre'a, iri ni mri koh ma bi hu'a a tre ni wu ndi, “Bachi, tsro ta kini toh bre bib-andi Yohana a tsro mri koh bi hu'a.
One day Jesus was somewhere praying. When he finished [praying], one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us [what to say when] we [(exc)] pray, as John [the Baptizer] taught his disciples!”
2 Yesu a hla bawu ndi, “Bita bre, bika tre ndi, 'Iti mbu, du ndeme ndu kpa ninkon. Du ikoh Irji ni shulu du ye.
He said to them, “When you pray, say [things like this]: ‘Father, we want you [(sg)] [MTY] to be honored/revered. [We want people to let you(sg)] [MTY, MET] rule over their lives.
3 Nu ta biri mbu wu vi chachu.
Give us [(exc)] each day the food [SYN] that we need.
4 Wru latre mbu hlega, toh-andi ki wru hle ni ko nha wandi a rhi ihla mbu. Na duta rjoku ni tsra na.'”
Forgive us [for] the wrong things that we have done, because we forgive people for the wrong things that they do to us. Do not let us do wrong things when we are tempted {[someone or something] tempts us}.’”
5 Yesu a hla ni bawu ndi, nnha mbi ani he ni kpan wandi ani hi niwu ni tsutsu chu ndahi bre ndi “Ikpanmu, nne ihla bredi tra,
Then he said to them, “Suppose that one of you goes to the house of a friend at midnight. Suppose that you [(sg) stand outside and] call out to him, ‘My friend, please lend me three buns!
6 nitu ikpanma ri a ye wru sru zizan rji ni zren, i mina he ni ikpe wandi minu ri na.
Another friend of mine who is traveling has just arrived [at my house], but I have no food [ready] to give to him!’
7 Wawu wandi a he ni miko ma a sa niwu nda tre ndi, na nne yratu na. Mi tronkon mu ye, i mri mu ni me ki ri kruna ye. Mina la lunde ni nu bredi na.”
Suppose that he answers you from inside [his house], ‘Do not bother me! The door has been locked {[We(exc)] have locked the door} and all my family are in bed. [So] I cannot get up and give you [(sg)] anything!’
8 Mi hla ni yiwu, anita na lunde nda nu bredi nitu wu kpanma na, nitu kri nhatu myeme, ani lunde nda nhu gbugbu bredi wandi wu wa'a.
I will tell you that even if he does not [want to] get up and give you [any food], to avoid being ashamed [for not helping you] because you are his friend (OR, if without being ashamed you continue asking him to do that), he certainly will get up and give you whatever you need.
9 Mi la hla ni yiwu, mye ba nuhi, wa i bi to, wru nkon, i ba bwu ni yiwu.
So I tell you this: Keep asking [God for what you need]. If you do that, [he] will give it to you [(pl)]. Confidently keep expecting [God to give you the things that you need], and [he] will give them to you [MET]. [It will be like] looking for what you need and finding it. Keep on [praying urgently to God. Then God will answer you. It will be like] knocking [on a door] so that [God] will open [the way] for you [to get what you pray for].
10 Ndji wandi ani mye, ni waa anito, i ndji a wru ba bwu niwu.
Remember that [God] will give things to everyone who continues to ask [him for them]. [He] will give things to whoever confidently keeps asking. [He] will open [the way] for people [to get the things that they keep urgently praying for].
11 Iti nha ni mi mbi, vren ma nita mye ni du nu lambe ani ban iwan nu nitu lambe? Chiche nvunvu bi sen bari nha ba hi nkpurju, i bari wu mba gbron, toh ikpe wandi ba nha ni Matta 7:9. Iti rime ni mi mbi wa ivren nita mye bredi waka ban tita nu? Ka anita mye lambe ka ban iwan nu?
If one of you had a son who asked you [(sg)] for a fish [to eat], (you [(sg)] certainly would not give him a [poisonous] snake instead!/would you give him a [poisonous] snake instead?) [RHQ]
12 Ka anita mye inchen'ko waka ban illan nu?
If he asked you for an egg, (you [(sg)] certainly would not give him a scorpion!/would you give him a scorpion?) [RHQ]
13 Ni kima, biyi bi meme dri bita toh nu mri mbi ikpi bi ndindi, nitu ngye Itimbi ni shulu na nuyi Ruhu Tsatsra ma ni ko nha wandi a mye na?”
Even though you people are evil, you know how to give good things to your children. So your Father in heaven will certainly [give good things] to those who ask him, [including] giving the Holy Spirit, [who is the best gift].”
14 Yesu asi'azu brji mamgbi ri ni rju brji ni kpa ma, Igu'a ani mamgbi a lu kri tre, i kpa ndji biwa ba he niki ba bwu nyu yo ra ni sissri.
[One day there was a man there who, because a demon controlled him] [MTY], was unable to speak. After [Jesus expelled] the demon, the man [began to] talk. [Most of] the people [there] were amazed.
15 I ndji bari nimi mba ba tre ndi Beelzebul, ninkon brji ba si zu brji mba ni rju
But some of them said, “It is Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons, who enables [this man] to expel demons!”
16 Bari ba tsra ni du ba toh alama rji ni shulu.
Other [people there] asked Jesus to perform a miracle [to prove (he was the Messiah/that he had come] from God) [MTY/EUP]. They wanted to trap him [into not being able to perform a miracle or into doing something ridiculous].
17 Yesu a toh kpe-andi a si zren ni suron mba nda tre ndi, “Khikle Koh andi a yra kpama ni kpama, ani yra kado, i ikoh wandi a yra tuma ni tuma ani zii rjoku.
But Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “If [the people in] one nation fight against each other, their nation will be destroyed {[they] will destroy their nation}. If [the people in] [MTY] one house are divided, they will cease to remain as one [family].
18 Shetan nita ga kpama ni kpama, hikle koma tie he nda kri? Bita toh ndi mi zu brji rju ni Beelzebul.
[Similarly], if Satan [and his demons] were fighting against each other, (his rule over them would [certainly] not last!/how would his rule over them last?) [RHQ] [I say this] because you are saying that I am expelling demons by [the power of] the ruler of [his own demons]
19 Mita zu brji rju ni Beelzebul, i bi wa ba huyi ba zu ba ni nha? Nitu wayi, baba yi ba ga tre ni yiwu.
Furthermore, if [it is true that] Satan enables me to expel demons, [is it also true that] your disciples [who] expel demons [do so] by [Satan’s] power [RHQ]? [No, that is not true]. So they will show that you [are not thinking logically].
20 Mita zu brji ni rju ni vren-wo Irji, nikima, kikle koh Irji ni grji ye ni yi.
But because it is by the power [MTY] of God [that I expel demons], I am showing you [that the power of] God to [MET] rule [people’s lives] has come to you.”
21 Ndji wu gbengblen wandi a kri ni sro ni koh ma, ikpe koh ma ba nawo.
Then, [to show that by expelling evil spirits he was making it clear that he was much more powerful than Satan, Jesus said] [MET], “When a strong man who has many weapons guards his own house, no one can steal the things in his house.
22 Ndji ri wandi a zan ni gbengbeln anita ye suu, wandi azan gbengble ani vu kpe wu sro ma wa ana yo suron niba nda vu kpi wu koh nda hi kpama.
But when someone else who is stronger attacks that man and subdues him, he is able to take away the weapons in which the man trusted. Then he can take from that man’s house anything he [wants to].
23 Wandi ana he nime na ana nyime nime na. I wa'a ana vu shubi ni me na, ni vre hle.
[No one can be neutral]. Those who do not help me [are opposing] me, and those who do not gather [people to become] my [disciples] are causing [those people] to go away [from me].”
24 Meme ibrji nita wru ni kpa ndji, a ni zren zu ni kuklu bubu nda wa bubu kuson. Anita na toh na, ani hlandi “Mi k'ma hi ni ko wandi mina he'a.”
[Then Jesus said this]: “[Sometimes when] an evil spirit leaves someone, it wanders around in desolate areas seeking [someone in whom it can] rest. If it does not find anyone, it says [to itself], ‘I will return to the person in whom I used to live!’
25 Aniti k'ma ye nda toh ba se ikoh pempeme nda mla wu tie.
So it goes back and finds that [the Spirit of God is not in control of that person’s life. The person’s life is like] a house that has been {that someone has} swept clean and everything put {put everything} in order, [but a house that is empty].
26 Ani k'ma hi yo brji tangba bari du ba hu ye son ni ko'a. I isran gu ni zan wandi a he ni mumla'a.
Then [this evil spirit] goes and gets seven other spirits that are [even] more evil than it is. They [all] enter [that person] and [begin] living there. [So], [although] that person’s condition [was bad] before, it became much worse.”
27 A he me, niwa a tre kpi biyi, iwa ri a d'bu hla nimi kpa'a ndji ba nda hla wu ndi, “Lulu ku ni nne wandi a ngrji wu, mba sisan wandi wu ma.”
When Jesus said that, a woman who was listening called out [to him], “[God is] pleased with the woman who gave birth to you [(sg)] and let you nurse [at her breasts]!”
28 Wa a sa ni wu ndi, “Ni kima du lulu son nitu bi wandi ba wo tre Irji nda tie ndu (ziwu) ni wu.”
But he replied, “God [is] much more pleased with those who hear his message and obey it!”
29 Wa ndji ba basi bran nha, Yesu a lu si wa ndji, “Ik'ba biyi ba meme ik'ba. Ba wa ingba, i bana nuba ingba na - se ingba wu Jonah.
When the group of people around [Jesus] got larger, he said, “[Many of] you people who have been observing my ministry are evil. You want [me to perform] a miracle [to prove that I have come from God], but the only miracle that [I] will perform for you is one [like happened to] Jonah.
30 Ni-andi Jonah ana ingba ni mi bi Ninevit, toki me, vren Ndji ani ingba ni k'ba yi.
[After Jonah was inside a huge fish for three days, God performed] a miracle [to restore] Jonah. [Jonah then went and testified about that] to the people in Nineveh [city. God will perform] a similar miracle [for me], the one who came from heaven. [When you people have seen that miracle, you will believe my message].
31 Ichu-mba wu kogon ani lunde ni bla tre ni lilon wu k'ba yi nda lo ba, nitu a ye rhi ni gbagban meme, du ye wo wrji nyu Solomon, nda toh ndji wa a zan Solomon he niayi.
[Long ago the] queen from [Sheba], [far] south [of Israel, traveled a long distance to hear Solomon speak many] wise things. But now [I, a man] who [is much] greater [and wiser] than Solomon, am here, [but you have not listened to what I have told you]. Therefore, at the time when [God] judges [all people], the queen from [Sheba] will stand there, [along] with you people, and will condemn you.
32 Ndji bi Nineve ba kri ni bla han tre ni k'ba ndji biyi, nda lo ba, nitu ba kpa tre Irji nda tan ntsan niwa ba wo tre Irji ni nyu Jonah, bi ka toh Ndji wa azan Jonah he ni yi.
The people who lived in Nineveh [city] turned from their sinful ways when Jonah preached to them. But now I, who am greater than Jonah, have come [and preached to you], [but you have not turned from your sinful ways]. Therefore, at the time when God judges [all people], the people who lived in Nineveh will stand there with you and condemn you.”
33 A nha ni yo lu ni glogo nda ban ri ni sisen ndana ka sa ni tu kpe tsame na ni du bi ri miko du ba toh kpan lu.
[Then, to show them that they did not need more miracles, but that they needed only to understand better what he had already told them, he said to them] [MET], “People who light a lamp do not then hide it, or put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lampstand so that those who enter [their house] can see [things from] its light. [Similarly, I have not concealed God’s truth. I have revealed it to you].
34 Shishi meyi hi glogo wu kpa me wawu. Shishi me nita bi, wawu kpame ni shu ni kpan-lu. U Shishi me nita na bi na, ikpa me wawu ni tie bwu.
Your eyes [MET] are like a lamp for your body, because they enable you to see things. If your eyes are healthy, you are able to see everything well [MET]. [Similarly, if you(sg) accept my teaching, you will be able to know all that God wants you to know]. But if your eyes are bad, you are not able to see anything. It is like being in darkness [MET]. [And similarly, if you(pl) do not accept what I teach, you will not be able to know all the things that God wants you to know].
35 Nikima, bi ka mla zren ni du ikpan mbi du na k'ma tie bwu na.
Therefore, [you(pl) do not need to see more miracles. You need to think carefully about what I have already] told you, so that the things that you have heard from others do not cause you to remain in spiritual darkness [MET].
36 Ikpa mbi wawu niti na shu ni kpan-lu, ni hamma ngbala ri ni bwu, niki, kpa mbi wawu ani kpan toh glogo ni kpan-lu ma niwu.
If you [live completely according to God’s truth, you will be able to know everything that God wants you to know. It will be like] being in a room with a lamp shining brightly, enabling you to see everything clearly.”
37 Ni wa a kle tre'a, Farasi ri a mye'u du hu hi rhi biri ni koma, Yesu a kpa nyime nda hu'u.
While Jesus finished saying those things, a Pharisee invited him to eat a meal with him. So Jesus went to [his house] and ate with him.
38 Farasi a yi mamaki ni toh ndi Yesu ana ngla kpama ri nda son ni ba ni bubu rhi biri'a na.
The Pharisee was surprised when he saw that Jesus did not follow the Pharisees’ ritual by washing his hands before eating. [The Pharisees washed their hands in a certain way to be cleansed from anything that might have contaminated them. They were afraid that God might reject them if they] had [touched something unacceptable to God].
39 I Bachi a hla ni wu ndi, “Zizan, biyi Farasi bi ngla kogon vuvanho mba gbugba'a (kungo) nda don mima shu ni sontu ba meme kpi.
The Lord [Jesus] said to him, “You Pharisees are [concerned about things that are outside your bodies, not with what is in your] ([inner beings/hearts]) [MET]. You wash the outside of cups and dishes [before you eat because you think that doing that will make you acceptable to God], but within yourselves you are very greedy and wicked.
40 Biyi ndji bi kha toh, Ana wandi a tie kogon a tie mima ngame na?
You foolish people! [God] is concerned about things that are outside [our bodies], but (he is certainly also concerned about our inner [beings]!/isn’t he also concerned about our hearts?) [RHQ]
41 Nu kpi wandi ba he ni mi tu beko, i kpiba wawu ba rju pyempyen me niwu.
Give [money] to those who are poor. [Give according to what you know within] your (inner [/heart]) [that you should give]. Then you [will be surprised to realize that] you will be acceptable [to God without having to perform all those rituals about washing].
42 Iya mbi biyi Farasi, nitu bi nu zaka wlon mint mba rue, i mri vunvu bi koh p'ma, nina k'magon nu ti bi mba son Irji. Ani bi du yi zren bi ni son Irji, hamma ni mbru kpi ba ngame.
But there will be terrible punishment for you Pharisees! You give to God a tenth of [all you produce, even] the various herbs that you grow, but you do not [remember that you must act] justly [toward others] and love God! It is good to [give a tenth of your income to God], but you ought to do these other things also!
43 Iya mbi Farisawa, bi son bubu u son bi ko shishi ni sinagog mba kpa ichi bi nzu lu ni chuchu.
There will be terrible punishment for you Pharisees, because you like [to sit in] the best seats in our worship places [so that people will think highly of you], and you like people to greet you [respectfully] in the marketplaces.
44 Iya mbi, bi he toh ibe wandi bana chu tsro nkana, ndji ba hon zu ndana toh na.
There will be terrible punishment for you, because you are like ground where there is no marker [to indicate that there is a] grave [underneath]. People walk there, but they cannot see [what is rotten down below] [MET]! [Similarly, people who see you do not realize how polluted you are within yourselves].”
45 Iri nimi bi ninkon ni tre doka'a hla wu ndi, “Ticha, ikpi wandi wu tre a kpata tsri ngame.”
One of those who taught the [Jewish] laws replied, “Teacher, by saying this you [(sg)] are criticizing us [also]!”
46 Yesu a tre ndi, “Iya-mbi, Tichas bi doka! Bi yo kikle kpi ni ndji wandi ani tiba ya nji, ama ni na yo wo kpre ni vren wo mbi riri na.
Jesus said, “It will be terrible also for you who teach the [Jewish] laws! You require people [to obey many rules that are difficult to obey] [MET]. [That is like making them] carry heavy burdens on their backs. But you yourselves do not obey the laws [that you require others to obey]. (OR, you do not do anything to help [others to obey the laws].)
47 Iya-mbi, bi meh ibe ni anabawa, wa ba bachi-mbi ba wuba.
There will be terrible punishment for you! You decorate the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed, [but you do not live according to what the prophets taught].
48 Niki biti shaida ni kpanyime ni ndu ba bachi-mbi'a, Baba yi ba wuba i biyi bi meh ibe mba.
So you are declaring that you approve of what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you [are not honoring the prophets! You just] decorate their tombs!
49 Ni tu kima'a, wri Irji a tre ndi, 'Mi ton anabawa mba manzani ye ni ba, i ba tiba ya nda wu bari mba.
So God, who is very wise [PRS], said, ‘I will send prophets and apostles [to you Jews]. [You] will kill some of them and cause some of them to suffer greatly.
50 Ik'ba biyi ye mi vu ba nitu iyi ba anabawa wandi ba ka hle rji ni mumla,
[As a result, I] will consider that many of you people [who have observed my Son’s ministry] will be guilty [MTY] [of murder, as if you had] killed all the prophets that other people have killed, from the time I created the world,
51 rji ni iyi Habila, ye ni iyi Zakariya, wandi ba wu ba ni kpa bubu ton ba koh Irji. E, mi hla niwu, mi vu ik'ba yi ni tumba.
starting from [Adam’s son Cain] killing [his brother] Abel and continuing until they killed the prophet Zechariah [in the holy place] between the altar and the temple.’ Yes, what I am saying [is true] [MTY]. [God] will punish you people who have observed my ministry, you people whom [he] considers to be guilty [MTY] for [killing] all those prophets!
52 Iya-mbi bi zan toh tre Irji, bi ban ih'ra wu toh, nina ri ngame na, ni zu bi wandi bason ri'a.
There will be terrible punishment for you men who teach the [Jewish] laws, because you have [not let people] know [God’s truth] [MET]! [It is as though you are] taking away a key [to a house]. You are not going into [the house] yourselves, and you are not letting other people enter it, either.”
53 Ni wandi Yesu a bri bubu kima, marubuchi, baba Farisawa ba kri nda sen nyu ni wu nitu kpi gbugbuwu, nda son,
After Jesus finished saying those things, he left there. Then the men who taught the [Jewish] laws and the Pharisees began to act in a very hostile way toward him. They tried to make him say what he thought about many things.
54 si gben'u du ba vu ni tre nyu ma.
They kept waiting for him to say something [wrong] for which they could accuse him.
