< Matthew 3 >

1 And in those days John the Immerser comes, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea,
Katika siku zile Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Yuda akisema,
2 and saying, “Convert, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near,”
“Tubuni kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni u karibu.”
3 for this is he having been spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD, Make His paths straight.”
Kwa maana huyu ndiye aliyenenwa na nabii Isaya akisema, “sauti ya mtu aitaye kutoka jangwani; 'wekeni tayari njia ya Bwana, yanyoosheni mapito yake.”'
4 And this John had his clothing of camel’s hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field.
Sasa Yohana alivaa manyoya ya ngamia na mkanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwituni.
5 Then were going forth to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan,
Kisha Yerusalemu, Yuda yote, na eneo lote linalozunguka mto Yorodani wakaenda kwake.
6 and they were immersed in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.
Walikuwa wakibatizwa naye katika mto Yorodani huku wakitubu dhambi zao.
7 And having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming about his immersion, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who showed you to flee from the coming wrath?
Lakini alipowaona wengi wa mafarisayo na masadukayo wakija kwake kubatizwa, akawaambia, ''Enyi uzao wa nyoka wenye sumu nani aliye waonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?
8 Bear, therefore, fruits worthy of conversion,
Zaeni matunda yaipasayo toba.
9 and do not think to say in yourselves, We have a father—Abraham, for I say to you that God is able to raise children to Abraham out of these stones,
Na msifikiri na kusemezana miongoni mwenu, 'Tunaye Ibrahimu kama baba yetu.' Kwa kuwa nawaambieni Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Ibrahimu watoto hata kutoka katika mawe haya.
10 and now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees, therefore, every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down, and is cast into fire.
Tayari shoka limekwisha kuwekwa kwenye mzizi wa miti. Kwahiyo kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri hukatwa na kutupwa kwenye moto.
11 I indeed immerse you in water for conversion, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry the sandals, He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
Ninawabatiza kwa maji kwa ajili ya toba. Lakini yeye ajaye baada yangu ni mkuu kuliko mimi nami sistahili hata kubeba viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
12 whose fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His floor, and will gather His wheat into the storehouse, but He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Na pepeto lake li mkononi mwake kusafisha kabisa uwanda wake na kuikusanya ngano yake ghalani. Lakini atayachoma makapi kwa moto ambao hauwezi kuzimika.
13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be immersed by him,
Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka mto Yorodani kubatizwa na Yohana.
14 but John was forbidding Him, saying, “I have need to be immersed by You—and You come to me?”
Lakini Yohana alitaka kumzuia akisema, “Mimi nahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu?''
15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit [it] now, for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness,” then he permits Him.
Yesu akajibu akasema, ''Ruhusu iwe hivi sasa, kwa kuwa ndivyo itupasavyo kuitimiza haki yote.'' Kisha Yohana akamruhusu.
16 And having been immersed, Jesus immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on Him,
Baada ya kuwa amebatizwa, mara Yesu alitoka kwenye maji, na tazama, Mbingu zikafunguka kwake. Na alimuona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kwa mfano wa njiwa na kutulia juu yake.
17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I delighted.”
Tazama, sauti ilitoka mbinguni ikisema, “Huyu ni mwanangu mpendwa. Ninaye pendezwa sana naye.''

< Matthew 3 >