< Luka 1 >
1 Ame geɖewo ŋlɔ nu tso nu siwo va eme le mía dome la ŋu,
Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,
2 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.
just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,
3 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,
so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,
4 be wòagbugbɔ aɖo kpe edzi na wò be nu siwo katã wofia wò lae nye nyateƒea.
so that you might know the truthfulness of those words by which you have been instructed.
5 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.
There was, in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the section of Abijah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Wo kple evea wonye ame dzɔdzɔewo le Mawu ŋkume, eye wolé Aƒetɔ la ƒe sededewo kple ɖoɖowo me ɖe asi kpɔtsɔtsɔmanɔŋutɔe.
Now they were both just before God, progressing in all of the commandments and the justifications of the Lord without blame.
7 Gake vi aɖeke hã menɔ wo si o, elabena Elizabet nye konɔ, eye wo ame eve la katã wotsi ŋutɔ.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both had become advanced in years.
8 Eva eme be Zekaria ƒe hatsotso le nunɔdɔ wɔm le kɔnu la nu le Mawu ƒe ŋkume,
Then it happened that, when he was exercising the priesthood before God, in the order of his section,
9 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.
according to the custom of the priesthood, the lot fell so that he would offer incense, entering into the temple of the Lord.
10 Esi dzudzɔdoɣi ɖo la, ameha si va be yewoasubɔ la nɔ xexe nɔ gbe dom ɖa.
And the entire multitude of the people was praying outside, at the hour of incense.
11 Zekaria nɔ kɔkɔeƒe la, kasia mawudɔla aɖe va do ɖe edzi zi ɖeka, eye wònɔ tsitre ɖe vɔsamlekpui la ƒe nuɖusime.
Then there appeared to him an Angel of the Lord, standing at the right of the altar of incense.
12 Esi Zekaria kpɔe la, eɖi vo, eye vɔvɔ̃ dze edzi.
And upon seeing him, Zechariah was disturbed, and fear fell over him.
13 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.
But the Angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son to you. And you shall call his name John.
14 Mi ame eve la miakpɔ dzidzɔ manyagblɔ aɖe le edzidzi ta, eye ame geɖewo hã atso aseye kpli mi,
And there will be joy and exultation for you, and many will rejoice in his nativity.
15 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
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 akplɔ Israelvi geɖewo ava Mawu si nye woƒe Aƒetɔ la gbɔe.
And he will convert many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 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.”
And he will go before him with the spirit and power of Elijah, so that he may turn the hearts of the fathers to the sons, and the incredulous to the prudence of the just, so as to prepare for the Lord a completed people.”
18 Zekaria bia mawudɔla la be, “Aleke mawɔ anya be esia ate ŋu ava eme, elabena metsi ŋutɔ, eye srɔ̃nye hã ku nyagã?”
And Zechariah said to the Angel: “How may I know this? For I am elderly, and my wife is advanced in years.”
19 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,
And in response, the Angel said to him: “I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and I have been sent to speak to you, and to proclaim these things to you.
20 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.”
And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak, until the day on which these things shall be, because you have not believed my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
21 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.
And the people were waiting for Zechariah. And they wondered why he was being delayed in the temple.
22 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.
Then, when he came out, he was unable to speak to them. And they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was making signs to them, but he remained mute.
23 Zekaria tsi gbedoxɔ la me va se ɖe esime eƒe subɔsubɔŋkeke mamlɛawo wu enu, eye wòtrɔ yi aƒe me.
And it happened that, after the days of his office were completed, he went away to his house.
24 Le ɣeyiɣi kpui aɖe megbe la srɔ̃a Elizabet fɔ fu, eye wòɣla eɖokui ɣleti atɔ̃ sɔŋ.
Then, after those days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she hid herself for five months, saying:
25 Elizabet gblɔ kple dzidzɔ be, “Aƒetɔ la ƒe dɔ me nyo ŋutɔ be wòɖe kotsitsi ƒe ŋukpe gã sia ɖa le dzinye.”
“For the Lord did this for me, at the time when he decided to take away my reproach among men.”
26 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.
Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 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.
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.
28 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.”
And upon entering, the Angel said to her: “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
29 Maria ɖi vo, eye eƒe susu ɖe fu nɛ ŋutɔ. Edze agbagba bu ta me le nu si tututu mawudɔla la wɔnɛ la ŋu.
And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 Mawudɔla la yi edzi gblɔ nɛ be, “Maria, mègavɔ̃ kura o, elabena Mawu ɖoe be yeayra wò nukutɔe!
And the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God.
31 Èle fu fɔ ge adzi ŋutsuvi, eye nàna ŋkɔe be ‘Yesu.’
Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS.
32 Anye ame xɔŋkɔ aɖe, eye woayɔe be Mawu Dziƒoʋĩtɔ la ƒe Vi. Aƒetɔ Mawu la atsɔ tɔgbuia David ƒe fiazikpui la nɛ.
He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father.
33 Ale wòaɖu fia ɖe Yakob ƒe aƒe dzi, eye eƒe fiaɖuƒe mawu nu akpɔ o.” (aiōn )
And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity. And his kingdom shall have no end.” (aiōn )
34 Maria bia mawudɔla la be, “Aleke mawɔ adzi vi esi nyemenya ŋutsu kpɔ o.”
Then Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, since I do not know man?”
35 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.
And in response, the Angel said to her: “The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
36 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.
And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren.
37 Elabena ŋugbe ɖe sia ɖe si Mawu do la ava me pɛpɛpɛ.”
For no word will be impossible with God.”
38 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.
Then Mary said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” And the Angel departed from her.
39 Le ŋkeke siawo me la, Maria tso, eye wòɖe abla yi Yudea dua me,
And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah.
40 eye wòge ɖe Zekaria ƒe aƒe me, eye wòdo gbe na Elizabet.
And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth.
41 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.
And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 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.
And she cried out with a loud voice and said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 Bubu kae nye gã si nède ŋunye, be wò si nye Aƒetɔ la dada nàva kpɔm ɖa!
And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
44 Esi nèva do gbe nam teti ko la, vinye la ʋã le dɔ me nam le dzidzɔ ta.
For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Èxɔe se be Mawu awɔ ɖe ale si wògblɔ la dzi, esia tae wòyra wò alea gbegbe ɖo.”
And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished.”
46 Maria ɖo eŋu na Elizabet be, “O, nye luʋɔ le Aƒetɔ la kafum ale gbegbe.
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 Eye nye gbɔgbɔ tso aseye le Mawu nye xɔla la ŋuti.
And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior.
48 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.
For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed.
49 Elabena Ŋusẽtɔ la wɔ nu gãwo nam. Kɔkɔe nye eƒe ŋkɔ.
For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 Eƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ li na ame siwo vɔ̃nɛ tso dzidzime yi dzidzime.
And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him.
51 Ewɔ nu dzɔtsuwo kple eƒe alɔ, eye wòkaka ame siwo dana le woƒe tamesusuwo me.
He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart.
52 Eɖe fiawo ɖa le woƒe zi dzi, ke edo ame siwo bɔbɔ wo ɖokuiwo ɖe anyi la ɖe dzi.
He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble.
53 Etsɔ nu nyuiwo ɖi ƒo na dɔwuitɔwo, ke edo mɔ kesinɔtɔwo asigbɔloe.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 Ekpe ɖe eƒe dɔla Israel ŋu, eye wòɖo ŋku eƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ na wo dzi
He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy,
55 be wòakpɔ nublanui na Abraham kple eƒe dzidzimeviwo tegbee, abe ale si wòdo ŋugbee na mía fofowo ene.” (aiōn )
just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (aiōn )
56 Maria nɔ Elizabet gbɔ abe dzinu etɔ̃ ene hafi trɔ yi aƒe.
Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.
57 Elizabet ƒe vidziɣi va ɖo, eye wòdzi ŋutsuvi.
Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son.
58 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.
And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her.
59 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,
And it happened that, on the eighth day, they arrived to circumcise the boy, and they called him by his father’s name, Zechariah.
60 gake Elizabet gblɔ be, “Gbeɖe, woana ŋkɔe be Yohanes.”
And in response, his mother said: “Not so. Instead, he shall be called John.”
61 Amewo do ɣli be, “Nu ka? Ame aɖeke mele wò ƒome blibo la me si woyɔna nenema o.”
And they said to her, “But there is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.”
62 Ale womia asi ɖevia fofo, eye wobiae to asidzesiwɔwɔ me be wòayɔ ŋkɔ si woatsɔ na ɖevia.
Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called.
63 Zekaria na wotsɔ nuŋlɔkpe aɖe vɛ nɛ, eye nukutɔe la, eŋlɔ ɖe kpe la dzi be, “Eŋkɔe nye Yohanes.”
And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying: “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
64 Enumake Zekaria ƒe nu ʋu, eye wògadze nuƒoƒo gɔme abe tsã ene. Ekafu Mawu kple dzidzɔ geɖe.
Then, at once, his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosened, and he spoke, blessing God.
65 Nyadzɔdzɔ blibo la wɔ nuku na woƒe aƒelikawo ŋutɔ, eye wòkaka ɖe du siwo le Yudea togbɛ la dzi la katã me.
And fear fell upon all of their neighbors. And all these words were made known throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 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.”
And all those who heard it stored it up in their heart, saying: “What do you think this boy will be?” And indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la yɔ fofoa Zekaria me, eye wògblɔ nya siawo ɖi be,
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit. And he prophesied, saying:
68 “Woakafu Aƒetɔ, Israel ƒe Mawu la, elabena eva, eye wòɖe eƒe dukɔ.
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For he has visited and has wrought the redemption of his people.
69 Eɖo ɖeɖe ƒe ŋusẽ anyi na mí le eƒe dɔla, David ƒe aƒe me
And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant,
70 (abe ale si wògblɔe to eƒe Nyagblɔɖila kɔkɔewo dzi le blema ene), (aiōn )
just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who are from ages past: (aiōn )
71 be yeaɖe mí tso míaƒe futɔwo kple ame siwo lé fu mí la ƒe asi me,
salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all those who hate us,
72 ne wòakpɔ nublanui na mía fofowo, eye wòaɖo ŋku eƒe nubabla kɔkɔe,
to accomplish mercy with our fathers, and to call to mind his holy testament,
73 kple atam si wòka na mía fofo Abraham la dzi
the oath, which he swore to Abraham, our father, that he would grant to us,
74 be yeaɖe mí tso míaƒe futɔwo ƒe asi me, ne míasubɔe vɔvɔ̃manɔmetɔe
so that, having been freed from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,
75 le eŋkume le kɔkɔenyenye kple dzɔdzɔenyenye me le míaƒe ŋkekewo katã me.
in holiness and in justice before him, throughout all our days.
76 “Ke wò, vinye, woayɔ wò be Dziƒoʋĩtɔ la ƒe Nyagblɔɖila, elabena àdze Aƒetɔ la ŋgɔ be nàdzra mɔ ɖo ɖi nɛ,
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the face of the Lord: to prepare his ways,
77 ne nàtsɔ xɔxɔ ƒe sidzedze na eƒe dukɔ to woƒe nu vɔ̃wo ƒe tsɔtsɔke me,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people for the remission of their sins,
78 le míaƒe Mawu la ƒe nublanuikpɔkpɔ sɔgbɔ la ta, to esia dzi ɣedzedze nyui la ava na mí tso dziƒo,
through the heart of the mercy of our God, by which, descending from on high, he has visited us,
79 ne wòaklẽ na ame siwo le viviti me kple ku ƒe vɔvɔli te, ne wòada míaƒe afɔwo ɖe ŋutifafa ƒe mɔ dzi.”
to illuminate those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to direct our feet in the way of peace.”
80 Ɖevi la tsi, eye wòsẽ ŋu le gbɔgbɔ me. Enɔ gbedzi va se ɖe esime woɖee fia Israel blibo la le gaglãgbe.
And the child grew, and he was strengthened in spirit. And he was in the wilderness, until the day of his manifestation to Israel.