John 1
1 The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) has always existed (from the beginning [MTY] [of everything/before everything began]). He has always existed with God, and he has God’s nature.
Penapo pakutumbula, kwakona vindu vyoha viwumbiki lepi avili mmonga mweakemeliwi Lilovi. Lilovi avili na Chapanga. Mwene avili Chapanga.
2 He always existed with God [before] he began [MTY] [to create anything].
Kuhuma kutumbula avili pamonga na Chapanga.
3 He is the one by whom [God] caused everything to exist. He is the one who created absolutely everything [LIT].
Kupitila mwene, Chapanga awumbili vindu vyoha, kawaka chindu hati chimonga chechawumbiki changali mwene.
4 He is the one who [caused everything to] live. He, who caused us people to live, [revealed to us the truth about God as] a light [MET] [reveals what is in the darkness].
Mwene ndi chinyepa cha wumi na wumi wene uletili lumuli kwa vandu.
5 People do not want him to reveal [that what they do is evil] [MET], just [like] darkness [is evil]. But [just like] darkness cannot put out light [MET], [evil people have never prevented the one who was like a light from revealing God’s truth] (OR, [evil people have never] understood the [one who was like] a light.)
Lumuli lwenulo lulangasa kuchitita, na chene chitita chihotola lepi kulujimisa.
6 A man whose name was John was sent by God {God sent a man whose name was John}.
Chapanga amtumili mundu mmonga liina laki Yohani,
7 He came to tell people [about the one who was like] [MET] a light. He came to show that everything that the [one who was like a light] [MET] said was true, in order that he could enable all people to believe [in the one who was like a light].
mwene abweli kuvajovela vandu kuluvala lumuli lwenulo. Abweli muni vandu voha vayuwana na kusadika ujumbi waki.
8 John himself was not the [one who was like a] light [MET]. Instead, he came to tell others about that [one who was like a] light.
Yohani mwene avi lepi lumuli lwenulo, nambu abweli kuvajovela vandu kuluvala lumuli lwenulo.
9 [While John was doing that], the one who was truly [like] a light was about to show himself to the world. He was the one who enables all people [to know about God, as] a light [MET] enables [people to know what is in the darkness].
Lwenulo ndi lumuli lwa chakaka, lumuli lwelubwela pamulima na kuvalangasila vandu voha.
10 Although the one [who was like a light] was [here] on the earth, and although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people [MTY, HYP] did not realize who he [was]. (OR, although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people did not accept him.)
Hinu, lilovi lila avili pamulima na kupitila mwene Chapanga awumbili mulima, nambu vandu va pamulima wammanyili lepi.
11 Although he came to the land that belonged to him [because he created it, most of] his own people, [the Jews], rejected him (OR, did not accept him).
Abwelili pavandu vaki mwene, nambu vandu vaki vampokili lepi.
12 But those [of us who welcomed him, God] authorized [that we would have a relationship with] him [MET] [like] children [have a relationship with their father]. We were people who believed [that what he said] about himself [MTY] [was true].
Nambu vandu vevampokili, na kumsadika, avapeli uhotola wa kuvya vana va Chapanga.
13 We became [like God’s children], not because our ancestors [belonged to God], or because of someone’s sexual desires, nor because some man desired to have children like himself. Instead, we were caused by God {God caused us} to become [like] his children.
Vavi vana va Chapanga lepi kwa kuvelekewa ngati vandu chevivelekewa. Amala vavelikwi lepi ngati vandu chevigana, nambu kwa maganu ga Chapanga mwene.
14 The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) became a human being, and he lived among us [for a while]. As a result, we saw how wonderful he is. He came from [God] his father, and there was no other person as wonderful as he. He was wonderful because he always acted (kindly toward us/in ways we did not deserve), and he always [spoke] truthfully to us [about God].
Lilovi lila akavya mundu, akatama kwitu. Ndi tiuwene ukulu waki, ukulu waki mwene nga Mwana wa Dadi Chapanga, amemili ubwina wa Chapanga na uchakaka.
15 [One day] when John was telling people about him, [he saw Jesus]. Then he shouted to them, “I told you [previously] that someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me. This [is the man I was talking about]!”
Yohani avajovili vandu malovi gaki. Akajova kwa lwami, “Mwenuyu ndi yula mwenamuluwili penajovili, ‘Ibwela mundu mweigelekela pahali pangu mkulu kuliku nene, muni amali kuvya kwakona nene kuvelekewa.’”
16 We have all benefited very much from what he has done. Again and again, he has acted in kind way toward us in ways we did not deserve.
Ndava cheavili ubwina waki wamahele tete tavoha tipokili mota yamahele.
17 Moses proclaimed [God’s] laws [to our ancestors]. But what Jesus Christ did for us [was much better]. He acted in kindness toward us in ways we did not deserve and told us the truth [about God].
Chapanga atipeli malagizu kupitila Musa, nambu ubwina wa Chapanga na chakaka utibwelili kupitila Yesu Kilisitu.
18 No one has ever seen God. But God’s only Son, [Jesus], who has always had a very close relationship with God, has told us about God.
Kawaka mundu mweamuwene Chapanga katu. Nambu nga Mwana waki yuyo mweavi Chapanga na mweaganiwi na Dadi, mwene atimanyisi mambu gaki.
19 The Jewish [leaders] [SYN] in Jerusalem [city] sent some [Jewish] priests and (Levites/men who worked in the temple) to where John was, to ask him some questions. They said to him, “What do you [claim about] yourself?”
Genaga ndi malovi Yohani geajovili ndava yaki lukumbi vachilongosi va Vayawudi ku Yelusalemu pevavatumili vamteta va Chapanga na Valawi vamkotayi, “Veve wayani?”
20 So John told them the truth, and he told them clearly [DOU]. He said, “[I] am not (the Messiah/God’s chosen king)!”
Yohani abelili lepi kuyangula likotesi lenilo, nambu akajova hotohoto, “Nene lepi Kilisitu Msangula.”
21 Then they asked him, “Then what [do you say about yourself]? Are you [the prophet] Elijah [that was prophesied to return] {([someone/another prophet]) [prophesied would return]} [before the Messiah]?” He replied, “No, [I] am not.” Then they asked him, “Are you the prophet [like Moses that] ([we are waiting for/God promised to send])?” He replied, “No.”
Kangi vakamkota, “Hinu veve ndi wayani? Wu, veve ndi Eliya?” Yohani akayangula, “Lepi.” Vakamkota kangi, “Veve ndi yula mlota wa Chapanga?” Akavayangula, “Lepi!”
22 So they asked him, “Then who do you [claim to be]? [Tell us] so that we can [go back and] report to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
Kangi vakamkota, “Hinu wayani veve? Wijova wuli kukuvala wamwene? Utijovelayi na tete tikavayangula vevatitumili.”
23 John replied, “[I] am the one [the prophet Isaiah said] would proclaim [this new message] loudly [to the people who would pass by] in this desolate area: ‘Prepare [yourselves to receive] the Lord when he comes [MET], [just like people prepare] a road [for an important official].
Yohani akayangula, nene ndi yula mlota Isaya ajovili malovi gaki, “Nene ndi lwami lwa mundu ikemela kulugangatu. ‘Mgolosayi njila ya Bambu.’”
24 Some of those people [who were questioning] John were ones who had been sent by the Pharisee [religious group] {whom the Pharisee [religious group] had sent}.
Vandu avo vatumwili na Vafalisayu,
25 They asked John, “Since [you say] you are not the Messiah, nor [the prophet] Elijah, nor the prophet [like Moses], [what authority] do you have? [Furthermore], why are you baptizing [Jews, treating them as though they were non-Jews who wanted to become Jews]?”
vakamkota Yohani, “Ngati veve lepi Kilisitu Msangula mweahaguliwi na Chapanga, amala Eliya, amala mlota wa Chapanga, ndava kyani wibatiza?”
26 John replied, “I am [just] baptizing people with water [to prepare them to welcome the Messiah]. But [right now] someone is among you whom you people do not know.
Yohani akavayangula, “Nene nibatiza kwa manji, nambu avi mmonga pagati yinu, mwakona kummanya.
27 He [will preach to you] after I [am gone]. [He is so important that] I am not worthy to [serve him as a slave] [MET] [by] untying his sandals.”
Mweibwela pahali pangu, ndi nene niganikiwa lepi hati kuwopola nyosi za champali zaki.”
28 Those things happened at [a place called] Bethany, on the [east] side of the Jordan [River], where John was baptizing people.
Mambu genago gakitiki kumuji wa Betania, kumwambu ya mfuleni Yoludani, Yohani kweavi mukubatiza.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. He said to the people, “Look! Here is the [man whom] God [has appointed to be a sacrifice] [MET], [like] the lambs [that the people of Israel sacrificed! By sacrificing himself] he will [make it possible for everyone in] the world to be no longer [guilty for having] sinned.
Chilau yaki, Yohani amuwene Yesu akumbwelela akajova, “Lola, mwenuyu ndi Mwana limbelele wa Chapanga, ndi mweiwusa kumbudila Chapanga pamulima!
30 He is the one about whom I said [before], ‘Someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me.’
Ndi mwenamlongalili yula penajovili, ‘Pahali pa nene ibwela mundu mkulu kuliku nene, mwene avili kwakona nene kuvelekewa!’
31 I myself did not [previously] recognize that he [was the Messiah]. But [now I know who he is], and I have baptized people with water to enable [you people of] Israel to recognize who he is.”
Hati namwene nangammanya, nambu nibweli kubatiza na manji muni vandu va Isilaeli vammanyayi.”
32 John spoke clearly [what God had shown him about Jesus]. He said, “I saw [God’s] Spirit as he was descending from heaven in the form of a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.
Kangi Yohani atijovili gala geagawene, “Namuwene Mpungu Msopi akumuhelelela ngati ngunda kuhuma kunani na kutula panani yaki.
33 I myself did not know [previously] that he [was the Messiah]. However, [God] sent me to baptize people with water, [people who said they wanted to turn from their sinful ways. While I was doing that], God told me, ‘The man on whom you will see my Spirit descend and remain is the one who will put the Holy Spirit within you [(pl) to truly change your lives].’
Nene nangammanya, nambu yula mweanitumili kubatiza vandu na manji amali kunijovela, ‘Mundu mweakumlola Mpungu Msopi akumuhelelela kuhuma kunani na kutama panani yaki, ndi mweibatiza na Mpungu Msopi.’
34 I saw [the Spirit descend on him], and I tell you that he is (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man).”
Kangi Yohani akajova nene nigalolili mambu aga na nikuvajovela uchakaka kuvya mwenuyu ndi Mwana waki Chapanga.”
35 The next day John was at the same place again (with two of us/with two of his disciples).
Kangi chilau yaki, Yohani avili pandu penapo, pamonga na vawuliwa vaki vavili.
36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! There is the man God [has appointed to be a sacrifice, like] the lambs [MET] [the people of Israel have sacrificed!]”
Peamuwene Yesu ipita akajova, “Lola! Uyu ndi Mwana Limbelele wa Chapanga.”
37 (When we/those two disciples) heard John say this, we/they went with Jesus.
Vawuliwa vavili vala pevayuwini malovi geajovayi Yohani gala vakamlanda Yesu.
38 Jesus turned around and saw us/them coming behind him. So he asked us/them, “What do you want?” We/They replied, “Teacher, [tell us] where you are staying, [because we want to talk with you].”
Yesu ang'anamwiki, avawene vawuliwa vala vakumlanda, akavakota, “Mwilonda kyani?” Vakamkota, “Labi witama koki?” Labi mana yaki Muwula.
39 He replied, “Come [with me], and you will see [where I am staying]!” So we/they went with him and saw where he was staying. We/They stayed with him until about 4 o’clock (OR, from about 4 PM until the next day).
Yesu akavajovela, “Mbwela, na nyenye yati mwilola,” Vawuliwa vala vakamlanda yavili lukumbi lwa saa kumi ya kimihi na vakatama kwaki ligono lenilo.
40 (One of us/One of the two men) who heard what John had said and who went with Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s [younger] brother.
Andelea, mlongo waki Simoni Petili avi mmonga pagati ya vavili avo vevamyuwini Yohani geajovili, vakamlanda Yesu.
41 [After Andrew left Jesus], the first thing he did was to find his own [older] brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah!”
Andelea akatumbula kumlonda Simoni mlongo waki, akamjovela “Timuwene Msangula.” Ndi kujova “Kilisitu.”
42 Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked intently at him, and then said, “You are Simon. Your father’s name is John. You will be given {[I] will give you} the name Cephas.” [Cephas is an Aramaic name that means ‘solid rock’. It] means [the same in Greek as the name] Peter.
Kangi ampeliki Simoni kwa Yesu. Ndi Yesu akamlolokesa Simoni akajova, “Simoni veve mwana wa Yohani. Hinu yati ukemelewa Kefa,” Kwa Chigiliki ndi Petili, mana yaki “Litalau.”
43 The next day [Jesus] decided to leave [the Jordan River valley]. He went to Galilee [district] and (OR, on the way there he) found a man named Philip. Jesus said to him, “Come with me!”
Chilau yaki Yesu akawuka, kuhamba kumulima wa Galilaya ndi amkolili Filipi, akamjovela “Nilandayi.”
44 Philip and Andrew and Peter were all from Bethsaida [town].
Filipi mkolonjinji wa ku Betisaida, muji wevitama Andelea na Petili.
45 Then Philip [searched for] Nathaniel and found him, and said to him, “We have met [the Messiah], the one Moses [wrote about]! The prophets also [prophesied that he would come]. He is Jesus, from Nazareth [town]. His father’s name is Joseph.”
Filipi amkoli Natanyeli, akamjovela, “Timuwene mwene, mweayandikiwi na Musa muchitabu cha malagizu, na vamlota va Chapanga vayandiki mambu gaki, Yesu wa kuhuma kumuji wa Nazaleti mwana wa Yosefu.”
46 Nathaniel replied, “Nazareth? (Nothing good can come from [such an unimportant place]!/Can anything good come from [such an unimportant place]?) [RHQ]” Philip replied, “Come and see!”
Natanyeli akamkota Filipi, “Chindu cha bwina chihotola wuli kuhumila ku Nazaleti?” Mwene akamjovela, “Bwelayi ulole.”
47 When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said about Nathaniel, “Here is an example of a good Israelite! He never deceives anyone!”
Yesu peamuwene Natanyeli akumbwelela, akajova, “Lola! Chakaka mwenuyu ndi Mwiisilaeli chakaka, kawaka udese mugati yaki hati padebe.”
48 Nathaniel asked him, “How do you know what I [am like]?” Jesus replied, “I saw you before Philip called you, when you were [by yourself] under the fig tree.”
Natanyeli akamkota Yesu, “Unimanyi wuli?” “Mwene akamyangula, kwakona Filipi angakukemela nakuwene pewavi pahi pa mkongo wa mkuyu.”
49 Then Nathaniel declared, “Teacher, you [must be] (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man)! You are the King of Israel [we have been waiting for]!”
Penapo Natanyeli akamjovela, “Muwula,” Veve ndi Mwana wa Chapanga! “Veve ndi Nkosi wa Isilaeli!”
50 Jesus replied to him, “You [RHQ] believe [those things about me] because I told you I saw you when you were under the fig tree. [I was able to see you supernaturally even though I was far away from you]. But you will see [me do] things that are more surprising than that!”
Yesu akamjovela usadika ndava nikujovili nakuwene pahi ya mkongo wa mkuyu? Yati ukugawona gavaha neju ya aga.
51 Then Jesus said to him, “This is the absolute truth: [Just like what your ancestor Jacob saw long ago in a vision], some day you [(pl)] will see heaven opened up, and you will see God’s angels ascending from me and descending on me, the one who came from heaven.”
Ndi akayonjokesa kujova, “Chakaka nikuvajovela, yati mwilola kunani kwa Chapanga kudinduka na vamitumu va kunani kwa Chapanga vikwela na kuhelela panani pa Mwana wa Mundu.”
