Matthew 23
1 Then Jesus said to the crowd and to us his disciples,
Kisha Yesu akauambia umati wa watu pamoja na wanafunzi wake,
2 “Moses was the [renowned] teacher who taught [the people the laws that God gave him] [MTY]. Now, the Pharisees and the men who teach our [Jewish] laws have made themselves the ones who interpret those laws [IDM].
“Walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo wana mamlaka ya kufafanua Sheria ya Mose.
3 Consequently, you should do whatever they tell you that you must do. But do not do what they do, because they themselves do not do what they tell [you that you must do].
Kwa hiyo shikeni na kutekeleza chochote watakachowaambieni. Lakini msiyaige matendo yao, maana hawatekelezi yale wanayoyahubiri.
4 They [require you to obey many rules that are difficult to obey]. But they themselves [do not help anyone obey those rules. It is] as if they are tying up loads that are hard to carry and putting them on your shoulders [MET] [for you to carry. But they] themselves [do not desire to help anyone obey those laws. They are like] people who do not want to lift [even the slightest load] that they [could lift] [MET]
Hufunga mizigo mizito na kuwatwika watu mabegani, lakini wao wenyewe hawataki kunyosha hata kidole wapate kuibeba.
5 [with] one finger. Whatever they do, they do it to be seen by other people {so that other people will see them doing that}. [For example], they make extra wide the tiny boxes containing portions of Scripture that they wear on their arms. They enlarge the tassels on their robes, [to make others think that they are pious].
Wao hufanya matendo yao yote ili watu wawaone. Huvaa tepe zenye maandishi ya Sheria juu ya panda la uso na mikononi na hupanua pindo za makoti yao.
6 [They want people to honor them. For example], at dinner parties they sit in the seats where the most important people sit. In the places of worship [they want to sit] in the seats where the most honored people sit.
Hupenda nafasi za heshima katika karamu na viti vya heshima katika masunagogi.
7 Also, [they want people to] greet them [respectfully] in the marketplaces and to honor them by calling them ‘Teacher’.
Hupenda kusalimiwa kwa heshima sokoni na kupendelea kuitwa na watu: Mwalimu.
8 But you [who are my disciples] should not allow people to address you [honorably] as ‘Rabbi’, [which means ‘teacher]’. I [am the] only one who is [really] your teacher, which means that you are all [equal, like] brothers and sisters, [and none of you should act superior to another, as the Pharisees do].
Lakini ninyi msiitwe kamwe Mwalimu, maana mwalimu wenu ni mmoja tu, nanyi nyote ni ndugu.
9 Do not [honor anyone] on earth [by] addressing him as ‘Father’, because God, your Father in heaven, is the only [spiritual] father of all of you.
Wala msimwite mtu yeyote Baba hapa duniani, maana Baba yenu ni mmoja tu aliye mbinguni.
10 Do not [allow people to] call you ‘Instructors’, because I, the Messiah, am the one instructor who [teaches all of] you.
Wala msiitwe Viongozi, maana kiongozi wenu ni mmoja tu, ndiye Kristo.
11 In contrast, everyone among you who wants [God to consider them] to be important must serve others as servants do.
Aliye mkubwa miongoni mwenu ni lazima awe mtumishi wenu.
12 [God] will humble those who exalt themselves. And [he] will exalt those who humble themselves.”
Anayejikweza atashushwa, na anayejishusha atakwezwa.
13 [Then Jesus said to the religious leaders], “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees are hypocrites! There will be terrible punishment for [you, because by teaching what is false], you [prevent people] [MTY/HYP] [who are thinking about letting] God rule their lives [from doing that] [MET]. [What you are doing is like] closing a gate [MET] [so that people who] are wanting to enter [a city cannot go in]. As for you, [you do not let] God [rule your lives. Neither do you allow] other people [to let God rule their lives. What you do is like] not going into a [house] yourselves, and not allowing others to enter it [either] [MET].”
“Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnaufunga mlango wa Ufalme wa mbinguni mbele ya macho ya watu. Ninyi wenyewe hamwingii ndani, wala hamwaruhusu wanaotaka kuingia waingie.
Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnawanyonya wajane na kujisingizia kuwa watu wema kwa kusali sala ndefu. Kwa sababu hiyo mtapata adhabu kali.
15 “You are hypocrites, you men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees! Your punishment will be terrible, because you exert yourselves very much to get [even] one person to believe what you teach. For instance, you travel across seas and lands [to distant places] in order to do that. And [as a result], when one person [believes what you teach], you make that person much more deserving to go to hell than you yourselves [deserve to].” (Geenna g1067)
“Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnasafiri baharini na nchi kavu ili kumpata mtu mmoja afuate dini yenu. Mnapompata, mnamfanya astahili maradufu kwenda katika moto wa Jehanamu kuliko ninyi wenyewe. (Geenna g1067)
16 “You [Jewish leaders], your punishment will be terrible! You are [like people who are] blind [MET] who are trying to lead others. You say, ‘[In the case of] those who promise to [do] something and then ask the Temple [to affirm what they have promised], it means nothing [if they do not do what] they have promised. But if they ask the gold that is in the Temple [to affirm what they have promised], they must do what they promised.’
“Ole wenu viongozi vipofu! Ninyi mwasema ati mtu akiapa kwa Hekalu, kiapo hicho si kitu; lakini akiapa kwa dhahabu ya Hekalu, kiapo hicho kinamshika.
17 You are fools, and you are [like people who are] blind [MET]! The gold [that is in the Temple] is important, but [the Temple] is even more important [RHQ], because it is the Temple that the gold is in that sets the gold apart for a special use for God.
Enyi vipofu wapumbavu! Kipi kilicho cha maana zaidi: dhahabu au Hekalu linalofanya hiyo dhahabu kuwa takatifu?
18 Also [you say], ‘In the case of those who promise to [do] something and then ask [the altar to affirm what they have promised], it means nothing [if they do not do what they have promised]. But if they ask the gift [that] they have put on the altar [to support what they have promised], they must do [what they promised].’
Tena mwasema ati mtu akiapa kwa madhabahu si kitu; lakini akiapa kwa zawadi iliyowekwa juu ya madhabahu, kiapo hicho humshika.
19 [You are like people who are] blind [MET]. The gift [that is offered] on the altar is important, but the altar is even more important [RHQ] because it is the altar on which the offering is offered that sets it apart for a special use for God.
Enyi vipofu! Ni kipi kilicho cha maana zaidi: ile zawadi, au madhabahu ambayo hufanya hiyo zawadi kuwa takatifu?
20 So, those who promise to do something, and then ask the altar [to affirm what they have promised] are asking everything on the altar [to support what they promised].
Anayeapa kwa madhabahu ameapa kwa hiyo madhabahu, na kwa chochote kilichowekwa juu yake.
21 Those who promise to do something, and then ask the Temple [to affirm what they promised], are asking that [God], to whom the Temple belongs, [will affirm what they have promised].
Na anayeapa kwa Hekalu ameapa kwa hilo Hekalu na pia kwa yule akaaye ndani yake.
22 Those who promise to do something and then ask heaven [to affirm what they promised] are asking the throne of God and [God], who sits on that throne, [to affirm what they promised].”
Na anayeapa kwa mbingu ameapa kwa kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, na kwa huyo aketiye juu yake.
23 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites because, [even though] you give [to God] a tenth of [the herbs you produce, such as] mint, dill, and cummin, you do not [obey God’s] laws that are more important. [For example, you do not act] justly toward others, you do not act mercifully toward people, and you are not trustworthy. It is good to [give a tenth of your herbs] to God, but you should also [obey] these other [more important laws].
Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnatoza watu zaka, hata juu ya majani yenye harufu nzuri, bizari na jira, na huku mnaacha mambo muhimu ya Sheria kama vile haki, huruma na imani. Haya ndiyo hasa mliyopaswa kuyazingatia bila kusahau yale mengine.
24 You [leaders are like] blind people [who are trying to lead others. According to your laws you say that touching gnats and camels makes you unacceptable to God. What you are doing is like] straining a gnat [out of a jar of water so that you do not swallow it and thereby become unacceptable to God], and [at the same time] swallowing a camel [with the water] [MET]!”
Viongozi vipofu! Mnatoa nzi katika kinywaji, lakini mnameza ngamia!
25 “You men who teach people the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites! You are greedy and selfish, but you [make yourselves appear holy. You are like] cups and plates that have been cleaned on the outside, but on the inside [they are very filthy].
“Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnasafisha kikombe na bakuli kwa nje, lakini ndani mnaacha kumejaa vitu mlivyopata kwa unyang'anyi na uchoyo.
26 You blind Pharisees! First you must [stop being greedy and selfish]. [Then you will be able to do what] is [righteous. That will be like] cleaning the inside of a cup first. Then when you clean [MET] the outside [of the cup], [the cup will truly be clean].”
Mfarisayo kipofu! Kisafishe kikombe ndani kwanza na nje kutakuwa safi pia.
27 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees, your punishment will be terrible! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs [SIM] that are painted white [so that people can see them and avoid touching them]. The outside surfaces are beautiful, but inside they are full of dead people’s bones and filth.
“Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mko kama makaburi yaliyopakwa chokaa ambayo kwa nje yanaonekana kuwa mazuri, lakini ndani yamejaa mifupa ya maiti na kila namna ya uchafu.
28 You are [like those tombs]. When people look at you, they think that you are righteous, but in your (inner beings/hearts) you are hypocrites and you disobey [God’s] commands.”
Hali kadhalika ninyi mnaonekana na watu kwa nje kuwa wema, lakini kwa ndani mmejaa unafiki na uovu.
29 “You men who teach the [Jewish] laws and you Pharisees are hypocrites! Your punishment will be terrible! You rebuild the tombs of the [prophets whom others killed long ago]. You decorate the monuments [that honor] righteous [people].
“Ole wenu walimu wa Sheria na Mafarisayo, wanafiki! Mnajenga makaburi ya manabii na kuyapamba makaburi ya watu wema.
30 You say, ‘If we had [lived] when our ancestors [MET] [lived], we would not have helped [MET] those who killed [MTY] the prophets.’
Mwasema: Kama sisi tungaliishi nyakati za wazee wetu hatungalishirikiana nao katika mauaji ya manabii!
31 Thus [you recognize that you should honor the prophets, but you disregard the word of God that other men whom God has sent teach you. In that way] you testify against yourselves that you are descendants and disciples [MET] of those who killed the prophets.
Hivyo mnathibitisha ninyi wenyewe kwamba ninyi ni watoto wa watu waliowaua manabii.
32 You are as ready to murder people as [MET] your ancestors were!
Haya, kamilisheni ile kazi wazee wenu waliyoianza!
33 [You people are so wicked] You are [as dangerous as poisonous] snakes [DOU, MET]! (You [foolishly] think that you will escape being punished in hell!/Do you [foolishly] think that you will escape when [God] punishes [wicked people] in hell?) [RHQ] (Geenna g1067)
Enyi kizazi cha nyoka wenye sumu! Mnawezaje kuiepa hukumu ya moto wa Jehanamu? (Geenna g1067)
34 Take note that this is why I will send prophets, wise men, and other men who will teach you [my message]. You will kill some of them by nailing them to crosses, and you will kill some in other ways. You will whip some of them in the places where you worship, and [you will] chase them from city to city.
Ndiyo maana mimi ninawapelekea ninyi manabii, watu wenye hekima na walimu; mtawaua na kuwasulubisha baadhi yao, na wengine mtawapiga viboko katika masunagogi yenu na kuwasaka katika kila mji.
35 As a result, God will consider that you are guilty for killing [SYN] all the righteous [people], including killing [MTY] [Adam’s son] Abel, who was a righteous man [SYN], and Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, whom you [are guilty of] killing [in the holy place] between the Temple and the altar, and for killing [all the prophets] who lived between [the times that those two men lived].
Hivyo lawama yote itawapateni kwa ajili ya damu yote ya watu wema iliyomwagwa juu ya ardhi. Naam, tangu kuuawa kwa Abeli ambaye hakuwa na hatia, mpaka kuuawa kwa Zakariya, mwana wa Barakia, ambaye mlimuua Hekaluni kati ya patakatifu na madhabahu.
36 Think about this: You people who have observed my ministry, it is you whom [God] will punish [for killing all] those [prophets]!”
Nawaambieni kweli, kizazi hiki kitapata adhabu kwa sababu ya mambo haya.
37 “O [people of] Jerusalem [MTY, APO], you killed the prophets [who lived long ago], and you killed others whom [God] sent to you. You killed them by throwing stones at them [DOU]! Many times I wanted to gather you together [to protect you], like a hen gathers her young chicks under her wings [MET]. But you did not want [me to do that].
“Yerusalemu, Ee Yerusalemu! Unawaua manabii na kuwapiga mawe wale waliotumwa kwako. Mara ngapi nimejaribu kuwakusanya watoto wako kwangu, kama vile kuku anavyokusanya vifaranga vyake chini ya mabawa yake, lakini hukutaka.
38 So listen to this: Your city [SYN] will [soon] become an uninhabited place.
Haya basi, nyumba yako itaachwa mahame.
39 Keep this in mind: You will see me again only when I [return], and you say [about me], ‘[God] is truly pleased with this man who comes with God’s authority [MTY].’”
Nakwambia kweli, hutaniona tena mpaka wakati utakaposema: Abarikiwe huyo ajaye kwa jina la Bwana.”
