Luke 1
1 My noble [friend] Theophilus, many people saw the things that [Jesus] did while he was with us, from the time when he started [MTY] [his ministry]. They served God [by teaching people] the message [about the Lord Jesus]. Many of those who heard what they taught wrote down for us accounts of the things that [Jesus did from the time when] he began [his ministry].
Ame geɖewo ŋlɔ nu tso nu siwo va eme le mía dome la ŋu,
ame siwo tu woƒe ŋutinyawo ɖe nyadzɔdzɔ siwo woxɔ tso ame siwo nye nuteƒekpɔlawo le gɔmedzedzea me la gbɔ, eye wonye dɔlawo na nya la.
3 I myself have studied these accounts carefully. So I decided that it would be good for me also to write for you [(sg)] an accurate account of these matters.
Eya ta enyo nye hã ŋunye, le esi medzro nuwo me tsitotsito tso gɔmedzedzea me ke, be magbugbɔ aŋlɔe ɖe ɖoɖo nu na wò, nye bubutɔ Teofilos,
4 I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
be wòagbugbɔ aɖo kpe edzi na wò be nu siwo katã wofia wò lae nye nyateƒea.
5 When King Herod [the Great ruled] Judea [district], there was a [Jewish] priest named Zechariah. He belonged to the [group of priests called] the Abijah group. He and his wife Elizabeth were both descended from the [first priest of Israel], Aaron.
Le Herod si nye Yudea fia ƒe ŋkekewo me la, nunɔla aɖe si woyɔna be Zekaria nye nunɔlawo ƒe ha si woyɔna be Abiya la me tɔwo dometɔ ɖeka. Zekaria srɔ̃ Elizabet hã tso nunɔlawo ƒe ƒome me, eye wònye Aron ƒe dzidzimevi.
6 [God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
Wo kple evea wonye ame dzɔdzɔewo le Mawu ŋkume, eye wolé Aƒetɔ la ƒe sededewo kple ɖoɖowo me ɖe asi kpɔtsɔtsɔmanɔŋutɔe.
7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
Gake vi aɖeke hã menɔ wo si o, elabena Elizabet nye konɔ, eye wo ame eve la katã wotsi ŋutɔ.
8 One day [Zechariah’s] group was doing their work [in the Temple in Jerusalem], and he was serving as a priest in God’s presence.
Eva eme be Zekaria ƒe hatsotso le nunɔdɔ wɔm le kɔnu la nu le Mawu ƒe ŋkume,
9 Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
eye le nunɔdɔ ƒe kɔnu la nu la, woda akɔ, eye wotia Zekaria be wòawɔ subɔsubɔdɔ le Aƒetɔ la ƒe gbedoxɔ la me, eye wòado dzudzɔ.
10 While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
Esi dzudzɔdoɣi ɖo la, ameha si va be yewoasubɔ la nɔ xexe nɔ gbe dom ɖa.
11 Then an angel whom God had [sent] appeared to him. The angel was standing at the right side of the place [where the priests burned] incense.
Zekaria nɔ kɔkɔeƒe la, kasia mawudɔla aɖe va do ɖe edzi zi ɖeka, eye wònɔ tsitre ɖe vɔsamlekpui la ƒe nuɖusime.
12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
Esi Zekaria kpɔe la, eɖi vo, eye vɔvɔ̃ dze edzi.
13 But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, do not be afraid! When you [(sg)] prayed [asking God for a son] (OR, [that God would send the Messiah]), God heard what you prayed. [So] your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son. You must name him John.
Gake mawudɔla la gblɔ nɛ be, “Mègavɔ̃ o, Zekaria, elabena meva be magblɔ na wò be Mawu se wò gbedodoɖa. Srɔ̃wò Elizabet le viŋutsuvi dzi ge na wò, eye nàna ŋkɔe be Yohanes.
14 He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
Mi ame eve la miakpɔ dzidzɔ manyagblɔ aɖe le edzidzi ta, eye ame geɖewo hã atso aseye kpli mi,
15 God will consider him to be very important. He must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, [in order that he will be completely dedicated to God]. He will be controlled by the Holy Spirit {The Holy Spirit will control him} from before he is born.
elabena ɖevi la anye gã le Aƒetɔ la ŋkume. Mano wain alo aha sesẽ aɖeke o. Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la ayɔ eme taŋtaŋtaŋ hafi woadzii gɔ̃ hã, eye
16 He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] the Lord their God.
akplɔ Israelvi geɖewo ava Mawu si nye woƒe Aƒetɔ la gbɔe.
17 As [God’s] Spirit enables him [to preach] powerfully as [the prophet] Elijah did, he will precede [the Messiah]. He will cause parents [SYN] to act [peacefully] toward their children [again]. He will cause [many] people who do not obey [God to hear and obey] the wise things that righteous people [tell them]. He will do this in order to help [many] people to be ready when the Lord [comes].”
Eya adze ŋgɔ na Aƒetɔ la, anɔ Eliya ƒe gbɔgbɔ kple ŋusẽ me be wòatrɔ fofowo ƒe dziwo ɖe wo viwo ŋu, eye tomaɖolawo ɖe ame dzɔdzɔewo ƒe nunya ŋu, be wòadzra ame siwo wodzra ɖo ɖi na Aƒetɔ la ɖo.”
18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, “I am very old, and my wife is also so old [that she cannot bear a child. So] (I cannot [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]!/how can I [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]?) [RHQ]”
Zekaria bia mawudɔla la be, “Aleke mawɔ anya be esia ate ŋu ava eme, elabena metsi ŋutɔ, eye srɔ̃nye hã ku nyagã?”
19 Then the angel said to him, “I am [God’s chief angel], Gabriel! [I do what God tells me, because] I constantly am in God’s presence! I was sent {[He] sent me} to tell you [(sg)] something good [that is going to happen to you].
Mawudɔla la gblɔ nɛ kple kakaɖedzi be, “Nyee nye Gabriel si nɔa Mawu ŋkume ɣe sia ɣi. Eyae dɔm be magblɔ dzidzɔnya sia na wò,
20 What I have told you will certainly happen at the time [God decides], but you did not believe what I told you. So now [God will make] you will be unable to talk until the day [your son is born]”!
gake esi mèxɔ dzinye se o ta la, wò aɖe atu, eye màgate ŋu aƒo nu o, va se ɖe esime woadzi ɖevi sia. Elabena woŋlɔ ɖi be nye nyawo ava eme pɛpɛpɛ nenye be ɣeyiɣi la ɖo.”
21 While [Zechariah and the angel] were talking, the people [in the courtyard] were waiting for Zechariah [to come out]. They wondered, “Why is he staying in the Temple for such a long time?”
Le ɣeyiɣi siawo katã me la, ameha si nɔ xexe la nɔ Zekaria lalam be wòado go, eye wòwɔ nuku na wo ŋutɔ be etsi gbedoxɔa me fũu nenema.
22 When Zechariah came out, he was not able to speak to the people. Because he could not talk, he made motions with his hands [to try to convey what had happened]. Then they realized that he had seen (a vision [from God]/something that [God] showed him) while he was in the Temple.
Esi wòdo go mlɔeba la, mete ŋu ƒo nu na ame aɖeke o, ke ewɔ dzesi na wo, esi fia be ekpɔ ŋutega alo ɖeɖefia aɖe le gbedoxɔ la me.
23 When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
Zekaria tsi gbedoxɔ la me va se ɖe esime eƒe subɔsubɔŋkeke mamlɛawo wu enu, eye wòtrɔ yi aƒe me.
24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant [EUP]. She did not leave their house for five months, [because she knew that people would laugh at her if she told them that she was pregnant].
Le ɣeyiɣi kpui aɖe megbe la srɔ̃a Elizabet fɔ fu, eye wòɣla eɖokui ɣleti atɔ̃ sɔŋ.
25 But she thought, “God has enabled me to become pregnant. He has pitied me and I will no longer be ashamed [because I have no children]!”
Elizabet gblɔ kple dzidzɔ be, “Aƒetɔ la ƒe dɔ me nyo ŋutɔ be wòɖe kotsitsi ƒe ŋukpe gã sia ɖa le dzinye.”
26 When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
Le Elizabet ƒe fufɔfɔ ƒe ɣleti adelia me la, Mawu dɔ mawudɔla Gabriel ɖo ɖe kɔƒe aɖe si woyɔna be Nazaret, si le Galilea la me.
27 [This time] he went to Nazareth [town] in Galilee [district], to a virgin whose name was Mary. It had been {[Her parents] had} promised that she would marry a man named Joseph, who was descended from [King] David.
Ame si gbɔ wòdɔe ɖo la nye ɖetugbi aɖe si menya ŋutsu o, eye woyɔnɛ be Maria. Wodo Maria ŋugbe na David ƒe dzidzimevi aɖe si woyɔna be Yosef la be wòaɖe.
28 The angel greeted her and said, “(The Lord/God) is with you [(sg)] and you will be greatly blessed {[has decided to] greatly bless you}!”
Gabriel va do ɖe Maria gbɔ le vo me, eye wògblɔ nɛ be, “Ŋutifafa na wò! Wò ɖetugbi si kpɔ amenuveve! Aƒetɔ la li kpli wò.”
29 But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
Maria ɖi vo, eye eƒe susu ɖe fu nɛ ŋutɔ. Edze agbagba bu ta me le nu si tututu mawudɔla la wɔnɛ la ŋu.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
Mawudɔla la yi edzi gblɔ nɛ be, “Maria, mègavɔ̃ kura o, elabena Mawu ɖoe be yeayra wò nukutɔe!
31 You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
Èle fu fɔ ge adzi ŋutsuvi, eye nàna ŋkɔe be ‘Yesu.’
32 He will become great. He will be called {[People will] call him} (the Son of God/the man who is also God). God, the Lord, will make him a king [MTY] as his ancestor [King] David was.
Anye ame xɔŋkɔ aɖe, eye woayɔe be Mawu Dziƒoʋĩtɔ la ƒe Vi. Aƒetɔ Mawu la atsɔ tɔgbuia David ƒe fiazikpui la nɛ.
33 He will be the King of [the] Jews, the descendants [MTY] of [your ancestor] Jacob, forever. He will rule as king forever!” (aiōn g165)
Ale wòaɖu fia ɖe Yakob ƒe aƒe dzi, eye eƒe fiaɖuƒe mawu nu akpɔ o.” (aiōn g165)
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
Maria bia mawudɔla la be, “Aleke mawɔ adzi vi esi nyemenya ŋutsu kpɔ o.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come to you; the power of God [MTY/EUP] will overshadow you [and enable you to become pregnant]. So the child [you will] bear will be completely set apart {give himself completely} to obey God, and he will be called {[people] will say that he is} (the Son of God/the man who is also God).
Mawudɔla la ɖo eŋu be, “Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la ava dziwò, eye Dziƒoʋĩtɔ la ƒe ŋusẽ ayɔ mewò, eya ta ɖevi si nàdzi la anɔ Kɔkɔe, eye wòanye Mawu ƒe Vi.
36 [I also need to tell you something else]. Your cousin Elizabeth is very old, and it was thought {[people] said} that she could not bear any children. But she has been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, and will bear a son!
Gawu la, anɔ abe ɣleti adee nye esi va yi ene la, wò ƒometɔ Elizabet, ame si woyɔna be ‘konɔ’ la fɔ fu le eƒe nyagãkuku me.
37 [You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
Elabena ŋugbe ɖe sia ɖe si Mawu do la ava me pɛpɛpɛ.”
38 Then Mary said, “All right, I want to serve (the Lord/God), so may what you [(sg)] have said about me come true!” Then the angel left her.
Maria gblɔ be, “Aƒetɔ la ƒe dɔlanyɔnu menye. Nu sia nu si nègblɔ la neva eme nam.” Le esia megbe la, mawudɔla la gabu le eŋkume.
39 Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
Le ŋkeke siawo me la, Maria tso, eye wòɖe abla yi Yudea dua me,
40 She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
eye wòge ɖe Zekaria ƒe aƒe me, eye wòdo gbe na Elizabet.
41 As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
Esi Elizabet se Maria ƒe gbedodo nɛ ko la, vidzĩ si le dɔ me nɛ la ʋã kple dzidzɔ, eye Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la yɔ Elizabet me fũu.
42 and she said loudly [to Mary], “[God] has blessed you [more than] he has blessed [any other] woman, and [he has] blessed the child you will bear!
Elizabet do dzidzɔɣli, eye wògblɔ na Maria be, “Mawu ve nuwò le nyɔnuwo katã dome, eye wòɖoe be viwò la naxɔ eƒe yayra gãtɔ kekeake.
43 (I am not worthy that [God would allow you] to visit me!/Why is [God allowing you] to visit me?) [RHQ] You will be the mother of my Lord!
Bubu kae nye gã si nède ŋunye, be wò si nye Aƒetɔ la dada nàva kpɔm ɖa!
44 [I realize this because] as soon as I heard you greet me, the baby inside my womb moved because he was so happy [that you had come].
Esi nèva do gbe nam teti ko la, vinye la ʋã le dɔ me nam le dzidzɔ ta.
45 [God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
Èxɔe se be Mawu awɔ ɖe ale si wògblɔ la dzi, esia tae wòyra wò alea gbegbe ɖo.”
46 Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
Maria ɖo eŋu na Elizabet be, “O, nye luʋɔ le Aƒetɔ la kafum ale gbegbe.
47 I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
Eye nye gbɔgbɔ tso aseye le Mawu nye xɔla la ŋuti.
48 I was only his lowly servant girl, but he did not forget me. So from now on, everyone will say that God was pleased with me,
Elabena ekpɔ nye, eƒe subɔla sia ƒe ame gblɔe nyenye, eye tso azɔ dzi yina la, woayɔm be Mawu ƒe ame yayra tso dzidzime yi dzidzime.
49 because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
Elabena Ŋusẽtɔ la wɔ nu gãwo nam. Kɔkɔe nye eƒe ŋkɔ.
50 He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
Eƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ li na ame siwo vɔ̃nɛ tso dzidzime yi dzidzime.
51 He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
Ewɔ nu dzɔtsuwo kple eƒe alɔ, eye wòkaka ame siwo dana le woƒe tamesusuwo me.
52 He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
Eɖe fiawo ɖa le woƒe zi dzi, ke edo ame siwo bɔbɔ wo ɖokuiwo ɖe anyi la ɖe dzi.
53 He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
Etsɔ nu nyuiwo ɖi ƒo na dɔwuitɔwo, ke edo mɔ kesinɔtɔwo asigbɔloe.
54 And now he has remembered what he promised. So he has helped me and all the other people of [MTY] Israel who serve him.
Ekpe ɖe eƒe dɔla Israel ŋu, eye wòɖo ŋku eƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ na wo dzi
55 He promised to Abraham and all our other ancestors who descended from him that he would act mercifully toward them forever.” (aiōn g165)
be wòakpɔ nublanui na Abraham kple eƒe dzidzimeviwo tegbee, abe ale si wòdo ŋugbee na mía fofowo ene.” (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
Maria nɔ Elizabet gbɔ abe dzinu etɔ̃ ene hafi trɔ yi aƒe.
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
Elizabet ƒe vidziɣi va ɖo, eye wòdzi ŋutsuvi.
58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how (the Lord/God) had greatly blessed her [by enabling her to bear a child], so they were happy along with [Elizabeth].
Nya sia kaka ɖo eƒe aƒelikawo kple ƒometɔwo dome kaba, ame sia ame se ale si Aƒetɔ la nyo dɔ me na Elizabet, eye wo katã wokpɔ dzidzɔ.
59 Seven days later they gathered together for the [ceremony for] circumcising the baby [to show that he belonged to God]. They wanted to give the baby the same name as his father, Zechariah.
Esi ɖevia xɔ ŋkeke enyi la, ƒometɔwo kple wo xɔlɔ̃wo va kpe be yewoawɔ aʋatsotsokɔnu alo ŋkeke enyi ƒe kɔnu la. Amewo katã bu be woatsɔ fofoa ƒe ŋkɔ Zekaria nɛ,
60 But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
gake Elizabet gblɔ be, “Gbeɖe, woana ŋkɔe be Yohanes.”
61 [So] they said to her, “[John] is not the name of any of your [(dl)] relatives, [so you(dl) should not give him that name]!”
Amewo do ɣli be, “Nu ka? Ame aɖeke mele wò ƒome blibo la me si woyɔna nenema o.”
62 Then they made motions with their hands to Zechariah, [for him] to indicate what name [he] wanted to be given {to give} to his son.
Ale womia asi ɖevia fofo, eye wobiae to asidzesiwɔwɔ me be wòayɔ ŋkɔ si woatsɔ na ɖevia.
63 [So] he signaled that they [should give him] a tablet [to write on. When they gave him one], he wrote [on it], “His name is John.” All those [who were there] were surprised!
Zekaria na wotsɔ nuŋlɔkpe aɖe vɛ nɛ, eye nukutɔe la, eŋlɔ ɖe kpe la dzi be, “Eŋkɔe nye Yohanes.”
64 Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
Enumake Zekaria ƒe nu ʋu, eye wògadze nuƒoƒo gɔme abe tsã ene. Ekafu Mawu kple dzidzɔ geɖe.
65 All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
Nyadzɔdzɔ blibo la wɔ nuku na woƒe aƒelikawo ŋutɔ, eye wòkaka ɖe du siwo le Yudea togbɛ la dzi la katã me.
66 Everyone who heard about it kept thinking about it. They were saying, “We wonder what will this child do [for God when] he [grows up] [RHQ]!” They wondered that because [from what had happened they were sure that] God would be helping that child [SYN] [in a powerful way].
Ame sia ame si se nya sia la bua ta me le eŋu ɣeyiɣi didi aɖe, eye wòbiaa eɖokui be, “Ame ka ƒomevi ɖevi sia atsi ava zu? Elabena le nyateƒe me la, Aƒetɔ la ƒe asi le edzi le mɔ tɔxɛ aɖe nu.”
67 [After] Zechariah’s [son was born], Zechariah was completely directed by the Holy Spirit {the Holy Spirit completely directed Zechariah} as he spoke these words that came from God:
Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la yɔ fofoa Zekaria me, eye wògblɔ nya siawo ɖi be,
68 “Praise the Lord, the God whom we(inc) people of Israel worship, because he has come to set us, his people, free from our enemies.
“Woakafu Aƒetɔ, Israel ƒe Mawu la, elabena eva, eye wòɖe eƒe dukɔ.
69 He is sending us someone who will powerfully [MTY] save us, someone who is descended from [MTY] King David, who served God well.
Eɖo ɖeɖe ƒe ŋusẽ anyi na mí le eƒe dɔla, David ƒe aƒe me
(abe ale si wògblɔe to eƒe Nyagblɔɖila kɔkɔewo dzi le blema ene), (aiōn g165)
71 He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
be yeaɖe mí tso míaƒe futɔwo kple ame siwo lé fu mí la ƒe asi me,
72 He will do this because he has not forgotten what he promised our ancestors; he made an agreement that he would act mercifully to us, their descendants.
ne wòakpɔ nublanui na mía fofowo, eye wòaɖo ŋku eƒe nubabla kɔkɔe,
73 That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
kple atam si wòka na mía fofo Abraham la dzi
74 God told him that we would be rescued {he would rescue us} from the power of our enemies, that he would enable us to serve him without being afraid,
be yeaɖe mí tso míaƒe futɔwo ƒe asi me, ne míasubɔe vɔvɔ̃manɔmetɔe
75 that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
le eŋkume le kɔkɔenyenye kple dzɔdzɔenyenye me le míaƒe ŋkekewo katã me.
76 [Then Zechariah said this to] his little son: “My child, you will be called {people will say that you are} a prophet whom God [MTY/EUP] has sent; you will begin your work before (the Lord/Messiah) comes; you will prepare people so that they will be ready for him. (OR, you will begin your work before the Messiah comes).
“Ke wò, vinye, woayɔ wò be Dziƒoʋĩtɔ la ƒe Nyagblɔɖila, elabena àdze Aƒetɔ la ŋgɔ be nàdzra mɔ ɖo ɖi nɛ,
77 You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
ne nàtsɔ xɔxɔ ƒe sidzedze na eƒe dukɔ to woƒe nu vɔ̃wo ƒe tsɔtsɔke me,
78 Our God will do that because he is very kind to us. Just like a new day begins when the sun rises [MET], God will do that new thing for us when the Messiah comes to us from heaven.
le míaƒe Mawu la ƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ sɔgbɔ la ta, to esia dzi ɣedzedze nyui la ava na mí tso dziƒo,
79 People who do not know God [MET] are like those who sit in the darkness. They are afraid [MTY] that they will soon die. But when the Messiah tells us God’s message, it will be like causing such people to see a bright light. He will guide us [SYN] so that we will be living peacefully.”
ne wòaklẽ na ame siwo le viviti me kple ku ƒe vɔvɔli te, ne wòada míaƒe afɔwo ɖe ŋutifafa ƒe mɔ dzi.”
80 [Later], Zechariah’s son grew up and became spiritually strong. Then he lived in a desolate region until he began to preach to the Israeli people.
Ɖevi la tsi, eye wòsẽ ŋu le gbɔgbɔ me. Enɔ gbedzi va se ɖe esime woɖee fia Israel blibo la le gaglãgbe.
