< Luka 1 >
1 Andũ aingĩ nĩmarĩkĩtie kwandĩka ũhoro wa maũndũ marĩa mahingĩtio gatagatĩ-inĩ gaitũ,
As you know, many others have attempted to put down in writing the things that have been fulfilled that involve us.
2 o ta ũrĩa twaheirwo ũhoro wamo nĩ arĩa meyoneire maũndũ macio kuuma o kĩambĩrĩria marĩ aira na ndungata cia ũhoro ũcio.
They based their accounts on evidence from the earliest eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word,
3 Nĩ ũndũ ũcio, tondũ niĩ mwene nĩnduĩrĩtie maũndũ macio mothe wega kuuma kĩambĩrĩria-rĩ, ngakĩona arĩ wega o na niĩ ngwandĩkĩre mũtaratara mwega wa maũndũ macio, wee mũnene mũgaathe Theofilo,
and so I also decided that since I have followed these things very carefully from the beginning, it would be a good idea to write out an accurate account of all that happened.
4 nĩgeetha ũmenye na ma maũndũ marĩa warutirwo.
I have done this dear Theophilus so you can be certain that what you were taught is completely reliable.
5 Na rĩrĩ, hĩndĩ ĩrĩa Herode aarĩ mũthamaki wa Judea, nĩ kwarĩ mũthĩnjĩri-Ngai wetagwo Zakaria, warĩ wa gĩkundi kĩa athĩnjĩri-Ngai kĩa Abija; mũtumia wake eetagwo Elizabethi na aarĩ wa rũciaro rwa Harũni.
During the time when Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest called Zechariah, who came from the Abijah priestly division. He was married to Elizabeth, who was also descended from Aaron the priest.
6 O eerĩ maarĩ arũngĩrĩru maitho-inĩ ma Ngai, na nĩmathĩkagĩra maathani ma Mwathani na mawatho mothe matarĩ na ũcuuke.
They both did what was right before God, being careful to follow all the Lord's commandments and regulations.
7 Nao matiarĩ na twana tondũ Elizabethi aarĩ thaata; na eerĩ maarĩ akũrũ mũno.
They had no children because Elizabeth wasn't able to have any, and they were both growing old.
8 Na rĩrĩ, mũthenya ũmwe Zakaria nĩarutaga wĩra wa mũthĩnjĩri-Ngai arĩ mbere ya Ngai, tondũ rĩarĩ ihinda rĩa gĩkundi gĩake gũtungata-rĩ,
While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, on behalf of his priestly division,
9 nĩathuurirwo na njĩra ya gũcuukĩrwo mĩtĩ, kũringana na mũtugo wa ũthĩnjĩri-Ngai, athiĩ thĩinĩ wa hekarũ ya Mwathani agacine ũbumba.
he was chosen by lot according to priestly custom to enter the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 Na rĩrĩa ihinda rĩa gũcina ũbumba rĩakinyire, kĩrĩndĩ gĩothe kĩrĩa kĩonganĩte nĩ ũndũ wa kũhooya, nĩ kĩahooyagĩra na kũu nja.
During the time of offering incense a large crowd of people were praying outside.
11 Hĩndĩ ĩyo mũraika wa Mwathani akiumĩrĩra Zakaria, na akĩrũgama mwena wa ũrĩo wa kĩgongona kĩrĩa gĩa gũcinĩra ũbumba.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Rĩrĩa Zakaria aamuonire, akĩhahũka na akĩiyũrwo nĩ guoya.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became terrified.
13 No mũraika ũcio akĩmwĩra atĩrĩ: “Zakaria, tiga gwĩtigĩra; mahooya maku nĩmaiguĩtwo. Mũtumia waku Elizabethi nĩagagũciarĩra mwana wa kahĩĩ, nawe nĩũkamũtua Johana.
But the angel told him, “Don't be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.
14 Nĩũgakena na ũcanjamũke, nĩ ũndũ wake na andũ aingĩ nĩmagakenio nĩgũciarwo gwake,
He will bring you joy and gladness, and many will celebrate his birth.
15 nĩgũkorwo nĩagatuĩka mũndũ mũnene maitho-inĩ ma Mwathani. Ndarĩ hĩndĩ akaanyua ndibei o na kana kĩndũ o kĩngĩ kĩgagatu kĩngĩtũma mũndũ arĩĩo, na nĩakaiyũrwo nĩ Roho Mũtheru kuuma o gũciarwo gwake.
He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will refuse to drink wine or other alcoholic drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he's born.
16 Nake nĩakagarũra andũ aingĩ a Isiraeli macookerere Mwathani Ngai wao.
He will turn many Israelites back to the Lord their God.
17 Na nĩagathiĩ mbere ya Mwathani arĩ na roho na hinya wa Elija, nĩguo agarũre ngoro cia maithe mendane na ciana ciao, nao arĩa aremi amagarũre magĩe na ũũgĩ wa andũ arĩa athingu, nĩgeetha ahaarĩrie andũ mahote gweterera Mwathani.”
He will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the fathers back to thinking about their children, and to turn those who are rebellious back to a right understanding—to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”
18 Zakaria akĩũria mũraika ũcio atĩrĩ, “Ingĩmenya ma ya ũhoro ũcio atĩa? Niĩ ndĩ mũthuuri mũkũrũ o na mũtumia wakwa arĩ na mĩaka mĩingĩ.”
“How can I be sure about this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I'm an old man, and my wife is getting old too.”
19 Mũraika ũcio akĩmũcookeria atĩrĩ, “Niĩ nĩ niĩ Gaburieli, ũrĩa ũrũgamaga mbere ya Ngai, na nĩ gũtũmwo ndũmĩtwo ngwarĩrie na ngwĩre ũhoro ũyũ mwega.
“I am Gabriel,” the angel replied. “I stand in God's presence, and I was sent to speak to you and give you this good news.
20 Na rĩu nĩũgũkira ũremwo nĩ kwaria nginya mũthenya ũrĩa ũndũ ũcio ũkaahinga, tondũ ndũnetĩkia ciugo ciakwa, o icio ikaahinga ihinda rĩrĩa rĩagĩrĩire rĩakinya.”
But since you didn't believe what I told you, you'll become dumb, unable to speak, until the appointed time when my words come true.”
21 Hĩndĩ ĩyo yothe, andũ nĩmetereire Zakaria na makarigagwo nĩ kĩrĩa gĩatũmĩte aikare mũno ũguo thĩinĩ wa hekarũ.
Outside the people were waiting for Zechariah, wondering why he was taking so long in the Temple.
22 Rĩrĩa oimire, ndaigana kũhota kũmaarĩria; magĩkĩmenya atĩ nĩonete kĩoneki arĩ thĩinĩ wa hekarũ, nĩgũkorwo no kũmaheneria aamahenagĩria na guoko, agĩikara o ũguo atekũhota kwaria.
When eventually he came out, he wasn't able to speak to them. They realized he'd seen a vision in the Temple, for though he could make gestures, he was completely dumb.
23 Rĩrĩa ihinda rĩake rĩa gũtungata rĩathirire-rĩ, akĩinũka gwake mũciĩ.
After he'd finished his time of service, he went back home.
24 Thuutha ũcio Elizabethi mũtumia wake akĩgĩa nda, na handũ ha mĩeri ĩtano agĩikara ehithĩte.
Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed at home for five months.
25 Akiuga atĩrĩ, “Nĩ Mwathani ũnjĩkĩire ũũ. Matukũ-inĩ maya nĩanjĩkĩte wega na akanjehereria thoni cia kũmenwo nĩ andũ.”
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “now that he's taken away my disgrace in the eyes of others.”
26 Naguo mweri wa ĩtandatũ wa Elizabethi gũkorwo arĩ na nda-rĩ, Ngai nĩatũmire mũraika Gaburieli athiĩ Nazarethi itũũra rĩarĩ kũu Galili,
In the sixth month of her pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
27 akĩmũtũma kũrĩ mũirĩtu gathirange worĩtio nĩ mũndũ wetagwo Jusufu, wa rũciaro rwa Daudi. Mũirĩtu ũcio gathirange eetagwo Mariamu.
She was engaged to a man named Joseph.
28 Mũraika ũcio akĩmuumĩrĩra, akĩmwĩra atĩrĩ, “Nĩndakũgeithia, wee ũrathimĩtwo mũno! Mwathani arĩ hamwe nawe.”
The angel greeted her. “You are very privileged,” he told her. “The Lord is with you.”
29 Nake Mariamu agĩthĩĩnĩka mũno nĩ ũndũ ũcio, na akĩgega akĩrigwo nĩ ũhoro wa ngeithi icio.
Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant.
30 Nowe mũraika ũcio akĩmwĩra atĩrĩ, “Mariamu tiga gwĩtigĩra, nĩgũkorwo nĩũkinyĩirwo nĩ wega wa Ngai.
“Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you.
31 Nawe nĩũkũgĩa nda na nĩũgaaciara mwana wa kahĩĩ, nawe nĩũkamũtua Jesũ.
You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus.
32 Nake nĩagatuĩka mũnene na ageetagwo Mũrũ-wa-Ũrĩa-ũrĩ-Igũrũ-Mũno. Mwathani Ngai nĩakamũhe gĩtĩ kĩa ũnene kĩrĩa gĩa ithe Daudi,
He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
33 nake nĩagathamakĩra nyũmba ya Jakubu nginya tene; ũthamaki wake ndũgaathira o na rĩ.” (aiōn )
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.” (aiōn )
34 Mariamu akĩũria mũraika ũcio atĩrĩ, “Ũndũ ũyũ ũngĩhoteka atĩa, kuona atĩ ndĩ o mũirĩtu gathirange?”
“How is this possible?” Mary asked. “I'm still a virgin.”
35 Nake mũraika ũcio akĩmũcookeria, akĩmwĩra atĩrĩ, “Roho Mũtheru nĩagooka igũrũ rĩaku naguo hinya wa Ũrĩa-ũrĩ-Igũrũ-Mũno nĩũgakũhumbĩra, nĩ ũndũ ũcio mwana ũrĩa ũgaaciarwo nĩ mũtheru na ageetagwo Mũrũ wa Ngai.
He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the Son of God.
36 O na Elizabethi, ũrĩa wa mbarĩ cianyu, o nake nĩekũgĩa kaana arĩ mũkũrũ, o ũcio weragwo atĩ nĩ thaata, nĩgũkorwo rĩu arĩ na nda ya mĩeri ĩtandatũ.
And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant.
37 Nĩgũkorwo gũtirĩ ũndũ ũngĩrema Ngai.”
Nothing is impossible for God.”
38 Nake Mariamu akĩmũcookeria atĩrĩ, “Niĩ ndĩ ndungata ya Mwathani. Ndĩrogĩĩkwo o ta ũguo woiga.” Hĩndĩ ĩyo mũraika akĩmũtiga agĩthiĩ.
“Here I am, ready to be the Lord's servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me just as you said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Matukũ-inĩ o ro macio, Mariamu akĩĩhaarĩria, agĩthiĩ ahiũhĩte nginya itũũra rĩarĩ bũrũri ũrĩa ũrĩ irĩma wa Judea,
A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where
40 agĩtoonya mũciĩ gwa Zakaria, na akĩgeithia Elizabethi.
Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in.
41 Rĩrĩa Elizabethi aiguire ngeithi cia Mariamu-rĩ, kaana gake gakĩambarara karĩ nda yake, nake Elizabethi akĩiyũrwo nĩ Roho Mũtheru.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 Akĩanĩrĩra na mũgambo mũnene, akiuga atĩrĩ, “Wee wĩ mũrathime gatagatĩ ka atumia othe, nako kaana karĩa ũgaaciara nĩkarathime!
and cried out in a loud voice, “How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you!
43 No nĩ kĩĩ gĩtũmĩte njĩkwo wega ũũ, atĩ nyina wa Mwathani wakwa no ooke kũnjeerera?
Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me?
44 Ndaigua mũgambo wa ngeithi ciaku wakinya matũ-inĩ makwa, nako kaana karĩa karĩ nda yakwa kambarara nĩ ũndũ wa gũkena.
As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me.
45 Kũrathimwo-rĩ, nĩ mũndũ ũcio wĩtĩkĩtie atĩ maũndũ marĩa Mwathani amwĩrĩte nĩmakahingio!”
How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!”
46 Nake Mariamu akiuga atĩrĩ: “Ngoro yakwa nĩĩragooca Mwathani,
Mary replied, “How I praise the Lord!
47 naguo roho wakwa nĩũrakenera Ngai Mũhonokia wakwa,
I am so happy with God my Savior,
48 nĩgũkorwo nĩaririkanĩte kwĩnyiihia kwa ndungata yake. Kuuma rĩu njiarwa ciothe irĩĩnjĩtaga mũrathime,
because he decided that I, his servant, was worthy of his consideration, despite my humble background. From now on every generation will say I was blessed.
49 nĩgũkorwo Ũcio ũrĩ Hinya nĩanjĩkĩire maũndũ manene, narĩo rĩĩtwa rĩake nĩ rĩtheru.
God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy.
50 Tha ciake nĩikinyagĩra arĩa mamwĩtigagĩra, kuuma njiarwa nginya njiarwa.
His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him.
51 Nĩekĩte maũndũ ma hinya na guoko gwake; na arĩa etĩĩi aharaganagia meciiria ma ngoro ciao.
With his power he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever.
52 Nĩaharũrũkĩtie aathani kuuma itĩ-inĩ ciao cia ũnene, no agatũũgĩria arĩa menyiihagia.
He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble.
53 Nĩahũũnĩtie arĩa ahũtu na maũndũ mega, no arĩa itonga akamaingata matarĩ na kĩndũ.
He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed.
54 Nĩateithĩtie Isiraeli ndungata yake, akaririkana ũhoro wake wa kũiguanĩra tha,
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy,
55 o ta ũrĩa eerire maithe maitũ, atĩ nĩakaiguĩra Iburahĩmu hamwe na njiaro ciake tha, nginya tene.” (aiōn )
just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” (aiōn )
56 Nake Mariamu agĩikara na Elizabethi ta mĩeri ĩtatũ, agĩcooka akĩinũka kwao.
Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home.
57 Na rĩrĩ, ihinda rĩa Elizabethi rĩakinya rĩa gũciara, agĩciara kahĩĩ.
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby and she gave birth to a son.
58 Andũ a itũũra rĩake na a mbarĩ ciao makĩigua atĩ Mwathani nĩakĩrĩrĩirie kũmũiguĩra tha, nao magĩkena hamwe nake.
Her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had showed her great kindness, and they celebrated together with her.
59 Mũthenya wa ĩnana wakinya, magĩũka nĩguo maruithie kaana kau, nao meendaga gũgatua Zakaria o ta ũrĩa ithe eetagwo,
Eight days later they came to circumcise the boy. They planned to call him Zechariah after his father.
60 no nyina akĩaria, akiuga atĩrĩ, “Aca! Gegwĩtwo Johana.”
“No,” Elizabeth said. “He shall be called John.”
61 Nao andũ makĩmwĩra atĩrĩ, “Gũtirĩ mũndũ wa mbarĩ cianyu wĩtagwo rĩĩtwa rĩu!”
“But there's nobody among your relatives who has this name,” they told her.
62 Nao makĩũria ithe ũrĩa angĩenda gatuuo na ũndũ wa kũmũheneria na moko.
Through gestures they asked Zechariah, the boy's father, what he wanted to call his son.
63 Akĩmeetia kahengere ga kwandĩkwo, nake akĩandĩka atĩrĩ, “Rĩĩtwa rĩako nĩ Johana.” Naguo ũndũ ũcio ũkĩgegia andũ othe.
Zechariah motioned for something to write on. To everyone's surprise he wrote, “His name is John.”
64 O hĩndĩ ĩyo akĩhingũka kanua, naruo rũrĩmĩ rwake rũkĩregera, akĩambĩrĩria kwaria, akĩgooca Ngai.
Immediately he could speak again, and he started praising God.
65 Nao andũ othe a itũũra makĩiyũrwo nĩ guoya, makaaragia ũhoro wa maũndũ macio mothe, namo makĩhunja bũrũri-inĩ ũcio wothe wa irĩma wa Judea.
All those living nearby were in awe at what had happened, and the news spread throughout the hill country of Judea.
66 Nao arĩa othe maiguire ũhoro ũcio makĩgegio nĩguo makĩũria atĩrĩ, “Kaĩ kaana gaka gagaatuĩka ũ? Nĩgũkorwo guoko kwa Mwathani kwarĩ hamwe nako.”
Everyone who heard the news wondered what it meant. “What will the little boy grow up to be?” they asked, for it was clear he was very special to God.
67 Nake ithe Zakaria akĩiyũrwo nĩ Roho Mũtheru, akĩratha ũhoro, akiuga atĩrĩ,
Zechariah, his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke this prophecy:
68 “Mwathani Ngai wa Isiraeli arogoocwo, tondũ nĩokĩte na agakũũra andũ ake.
“The Lord, the God of Israel, he is wonderful, for he has come to his people and set them free.
69 Nĩatwambararĩirie rũhĩa rwa ũhonokio thĩinĩ wa nyũmba ya Daudi, ndungata yake
He has given us a great Savior from the line of his servant David,
70 (o ta ũrĩa aarĩtie matukũ ma tene na tũnua twa anabii ake atheru), (aiōn )
as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. (aiōn )
71 rwa gũtũhonokia kuuma kũrĩ thũ ciitũ, na kuuma kũrĩ guoko kwa arĩa othe matũmenaga,
He promised to save us from our enemies, from those who hate us.
72 nĩguo aiguĩre maithe maitũ tha, na aririkane kĩrĩkanĩro gĩake gĩtheru,
He was merciful to our fathers, remembering his holy agreement—
73 o mwĩhĩtwa ũrĩa eehĩtĩire ithe witũ Iburahĩmu:
the promise that he made to our father Abraham.
74 atĩ nĩagatũhonokia kuuma guoko-inĩ gwa thũ ciitũ, na atũhotithie kũmũtungatagĩra tũtarĩ na guoya,
He gives us freedom from fear and rescues us from our enemies,
75 tũrĩ atheru na athingu mbere yake matukũ-inĩ maitũ mothe.
so we can serve him by doing what is good and right for our whole lives.
76 “O nawe, kaana gakwa, nĩũgetagwo mũnabii wa Ũrĩa-ũrĩ-Igũrũ-Mũno; nĩgũkorwo nĩũgaathiiaga mbere ya Mwathani nĩguo ũmũthondekagĩre njĩra ciake,
Even though you are only a small child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way,
77 na ũmenyithie andũ ake ũhoro wa ũhonokio nĩ ũndũ wa kũrekerwo mehia mao,
providing knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 na tondũ wa tha nyingĩ cia Ngai witũ, tha icio nĩigatũma riũa rĩtũrathĩre kuuma igũrũ,
Through God's caring kindness to us, heaven's dawn will break upon us
79 nĩgeetha rĩarĩre arĩa matũũraga nduma-inĩ, o na arĩa matũũraga kĩĩruru-inĩ gĩa gĩkuũ, nĩguo rĩtongorie magũrũ maitũ njĩra-inĩ ya thayũ.”
to shine on those who live in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide us along the path of peace.”
80 Nako kaana kau gagĩkũra, na gakĩgĩa hinya roho-inĩ wako; nake agĩtũũra werũ-inĩ nginya hĩndĩ ĩrĩa eyumĩririe kũrĩ andũ a Isiraeli.
The boy John grew and became spiritually strong. He lived in the desert until the time came for his public ministry to Israel.