Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying,
Siku hizo Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Uyahudi, akisema,
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
“Tubuni, kwa maana Ufalme wa Mbinguni umekaribia.”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”
Huyu ndiye yule aliyenenwa habari zake na nabii Isaya aliposema: “Sauti ya mtu aliaye huko nyikani, ‘Tayarisheni njia kwa ajili ya Bwana, yanyoosheni mapito yake.’”
4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Basi Yohana alivaa mavazi yaliyotengenezwa kwa singa za ngamia, akiwa na mkanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwitu.
5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him.
Watu walikuwa wakimwendea kutoka Yerusalemu, Uyahudi yote na nchi zote za kandokando ya Mto Yordani.
6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
Nao wakaziungama dhambi zao, akawabatiza katika Mto Yordani.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming?
Lakini alipowaona Mafarisayo na Masadukayo wengi wakija ili kubatizwa, aliwaambia: “Ninyi watoto wa nyoka! Ni nani aliyewaonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?
8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Basi zaeni matunda yastahiliyo toba.
9 Do not think of saying among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham even out of these stones.
Wala msidhani mnaweza kusema mioyoni mwenu kuwa, ‘Sisi tunaye Abrahamu, baba yetu.’ Nawaambia kuwa Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Abrahamu watoto kutoka kwa mawe haya.
10 Already the ax has been placed against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Hata sasa shoka limeshawekwa tayari kwenye shina la kila mti, basi kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri, hukatwa na kutupwa motoni.
11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
“Mimi nawabatiza kwa maji kwa ajili ya toba. Lakini nyuma yangu anakuja yeye aliye na uwezo kuliko mimi, ambaye sistahili hata kuvichukua viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
12 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out.”
Pepeto lake liko mkononi mwake, naye atasafisha sakafu yake ya kupuria, na kuikusanya ngano ghalani na kuyateketeza makapi kwa moto usiozimika.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka Mto Yordani ili Yohana ambatize.
14 But John kept trying to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Lakini Yohana akajitahidi kumzuia, akimwambia, “Mimi ninahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu nikubatize?”
15 Jesus responded and said to him, “Permit it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted him.
Lakini Yesu akamjibu, “Kubali hivi sasa, kwa maana ndivyo itupasavyo kwa njia hii kuitimiza haki yote.” Hivyo Yohana akakubali.
16 After he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting upon him.
Naye Yesu alipokwisha kubatizwa, mara alipotoka ndani ya maji, ghafula mbingu zikafunguka, akamwona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kama hua na kutulia juu yake.
17 Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, “This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him.”
Nayo sauti kutoka mbinguni ikasema, “Huyu ni Mwanangu mpendwa, ambaye ninapendezwa sana naye.”
