Jọn 1
1 Na mbụ okwu ahụ dịrịị, okwu ahụ na Chineke nọ, okwu ahụ bụkwa Chineke.
The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) has always existed (from the beginning [MTY] [of everything/before everything began]). He has always existed with God, and he has God’s nature.
2 Ya na Chineke nọ site na mbụ.
He always existed with God [before] he began [MTY] [to create anything].
3 E sitere na ya kee ihe niile, ọ dịghịkwa ihe ọbụla e kere eke nke a na-ekeghị site na ya.
He is the one by whom [God] caused everything to exist. He is the one who created absolutely everything [LIT].
4 Nʼime ya ka ndụ dịrịị, ndụ ahụ bụkwa ìhè nye mmadụ niile,
He is the one who [caused everything to] live. He, who caused us people to live, [revealed to us the truth about God as] a light [MET] [reveals what is in the darkness].
5 ìhè ahụ na-enwu nʼime ọchịchịrị, ma ọchịchịrị ahụ emenyụghị ya.
People do not want him to reveal [that what they do is evil] [MET], just [like] darkness [is evil]. But [just like] darkness cannot put out light [MET], [evil people have never prevented the one who was like a light from revealing God’s truth] (OR, [evil people have never] understood the [one who was like] a light.)
6 Ọ dị otu nwoke Chineke zitere, aha ya bụ Jọn.
A man whose name was John was sent by God {God sent a man whose name was John}.
7 Ọ bịara dị ka onye akaebe ịgba ama banyere ìhè ahụ, ka mmadụ niile site nʼaka ya kwere.
He came to tell people [about the one who was like] [MET] a light. He came to show that everything that the [one who was like a light] [MET] said was true, in order that he could enable all people to believe [in the one who was like a light].
8 Ya onwe ya abụghị ìhè ahụ, ọ bịara naanị ịgba akaebe banyere ìhè ahụ.
John himself was not the [one who was like a] light [MET]. Instead, he came to tell others about that [one who was like a] light.
9 Ezi ìhè ahụ nke na-enye mmadụ ọbụla ìhè na-abịa nʼime ụwa.
[While John was doing that], the one who was truly [like] a light was about to show himself to the world. He was the one who enables all people [to know about God, as] a light [MET] enables [people to know what is in the darkness].
10 Ọ bịara nʼụwa, ma ụwa bụ ihe e kere site nʼaka ya, ma ụwa amataghị onye ọ bụ.
Although the one [who was like a light] was [here] on the earth, and although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people [MTY, HYP] did not realize who he [was]. (OR, although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people did not accept him.)
11 Ọ bịakwutere ihe ndị ahụ bụ ndị nke ya, ma ndị ahụ bụ ndị nke ya anabataghị ya.
Although he came to the land that belonged to him [because he created it, most of] his own people, [the Jews], rejected him (OR, did not accept him).
12 Ma ndị ahụ niile nabatara ya, ndị ahụ niile kweere nʼaha ya ka o nyere ike ịghọ ụmụ Chineke.
But those [of us who welcomed him, God] authorized [that we would have a relationship with] him [MET] [like] children [have a relationship with their father]. We were people who believed [that what he said] about himself [MTY] [was true].
13 Ụmụ a na-amụghị site nʼọbara, maọbụ site na mkpebi nke anụ ahụ, ma ọ bụkwanụ mkpebi nke mmadụ, kama site na Chineke.
We became [like God’s children], not because our ancestors [belonged to God], or because of someone’s sexual desires, nor because some man desired to have children like himself. Instead, we were caused by God {God caused us} to become [like] his children.
14 Okwu ahụ ghọrọ anụ ahụ birikwa nʼetiti anyị. Anyị ahụla ebube ya, ebube nke onye naanị ya bụ Ọkpara Nna mụrụ, onye si nʼebe Nna nọ bịa, onye jupụtara nʼamara na eziokwu.
The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) became a human being, and he lived among us [for a while]. As a result, we saw how wonderful he is. He came from [God] his father, and there was no other person as wonderful as he. He was wonderful because he always acted (kindly toward us/in ways we did not deserve), and he always [spoke] truthfully to us [about God].
15 Jọn gbara ama banyere ya mgbe ọ na-eti mkpu na-asị, “Onye a bụ onye ahụ m kwuru banyere ya, ‘Onye na-abịa m nʼazụ dị ukwuu karịa m, nʼihi na o bukwa m ụzọ dịrị.’”
[One day] when John was telling people about him, [he saw Jesus]. Then he shouted to them, “I told you [previously] that someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me. This [is the man I was talking about]!”
16 Site nʼịba ụba nke amara ya, anyị niile anatala amara a tụkwasịrị nʼamara.
We have all benefited very much from what he has done. Again and again, he has acted in kind way toward us in ways we did not deserve.
17 Nʼihi na e nyere iwu site nʼaka Mosis, ma amara na eziokwu bịara site nʼaka Jisọs Kraịst.
Moses proclaimed [God’s] laws [to our ancestors]. But what Jesus Christ did for us [was much better]. He acted in kindness toward us in ways we did not deserve and told us the truth [about God].
18 Ọ dịbeghị onye ọbụla hụrụla Chineke, ma Chineke, onye naanị ya bụ Ọkpara Nna mụrụ. Onye ya na Nna dị na mma, emeela ka anyị mata ya.
No one has ever seen God. But God’s only Son, [Jesus], who has always had a very close relationship with God, has told us about God.
19 Nke a bụ ịgba ama Jọn mgbe ndị ndu ndị Juu nọ na Jerusalem zipụrụ ndị nchụaja na ndị Livayị ka ha bịa jụọ ya onye ọ bụ?
The Jewish [leaders] [SYN] in Jerusalem [city] sent some [Jewish] priests and (Levites/men who worked in the temple) to where John was, to ask him some questions. They said to him, “What do you [claim about] yourself?”
20 O mechighị ọnụ ya, kama o kwupụtara sị, “Abụghị m Kraịst ahụ.”
So John told them the truth, and he told them clearly [DOU]. He said, “[I] am not (the Messiah/God’s chosen king)!”
21 Mgbe ahụ ha jụrụ ya sị, “Ị bụkwanụ onye? Ị bụ Ịlaịja?” Ọ zara sị ha, “Abụghị m ya.” “Ị bụ Onye amụma ahụ?” “Mba.”
Then they asked him, “Then what [do you say about yourself]? Are you [the prophet] Elijah [that was prophesied to return] {([someone/another prophet]) [prophesied would return]} [before the Messiah]?” He replied, “No, [I] am not.” Then they asked him, “Are you the prophet [like Moses that] ([we are waiting for/God promised to send])?” He replied, “No.”
22 Ha sịrị ya, “Ị bụ onye? Nye anyị ọsịsa anyị ga-eweghachiri ndị zitere anyị. Gịnị ka i kwuru banyere onwe gị?”
So they asked him, “Then who do you [claim to be]? [Tell us] so that we can [go back and] report to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 Ọ sịrị, dịka Aịzaya onye amụma kwuru, “Abụ m onye na-eti mkpu nʼime ọzara, ‘Meenụ ka ụzọ Onyenwe anyị guzozie.’”
John replied, “[I] am the one [the prophet Isaiah said] would proclaim [this new message] loudly [to the people who would pass by] in this desolate area: ‘Prepare [yourselves to receive] the Lord when he comes [MET], [just like people prepare] a road [for an important official].
24 Ma ndị Farisii ahụ ezitere
Some of those people [who were questioning] John were ones who had been sent by the Pharisee [religious group] {whom the Pharisee [religious group] had sent}.
25 jụrụ ya, sị, “Gịnị mere i ji na-eme baptizim ọ bụrụ na ị bụghị Kraịst maọbụ Ịlaịja, maọbụ onye amụma ahụ?”
They asked John, “Since [you say] you are not the Messiah, nor [the prophet] Elijah, nor the prophet [like Moses], [what authority] do you have? [Furthermore], why are you baptizing [Jews, treating them as though they were non-Jews who wanted to become Jews]?”
26 Jọn zara ha sị, “Eji m mmiri na-eme baptizim, ma ọ dị otu onye nọ nʼetiti unu nke unu na-amaghị.
John replied, “I am [just] baptizing people with water [to prepare them to welcome the Messiah]. But [right now] someone is among you whom you people do not know.
27 Onye ahụ nke na-abịa nʼazụ m, onye m na-erughị ịtọpụ eriri akpụkpọụkwụ ya.”
He [will preach to you] after I [am gone]. [He is so important that] I am not worthy to [serve him as a slave] [MET] [by] untying his sandals.”
28 Ihe a mere na Betani nʼofe osimiri Jọdan bụ ebe Jọn nọ na-eme baptizim.
Those things happened at [a place called] Bethany, on the [east] side of the Jordan [River], where John was baptizing people.
29 Nʼechi ya, ọ hụrụ ka Jisọs na-abịakwute ya sị, “Leekwa, Nwa Atụrụ Chineke, onye na-ebupụ mmehie ụwa.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. He said to the people, “Look! Here is the [man whom] God [has appointed to be a sacrifice] [MET], [like] the lambs [that the people of Israel sacrificed! By sacrificing himself] he will [make it possible for everyone in] the world to be no longer [guilty for having] sinned.
30 Ọ bụ onye a ka m kwuru okwu ya mgbe ahụ m sịrị, ‘otu nwoke na-abịa nʼazụ m, onye dị ukwuu karịa m, nʼihi na o bukwa m ụzọ dịrị.’
He is the one about whom I said [before], ‘Someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me.’
31 Mụ onwe m amataghị ya, ma a bịara m were mmiri na-eme baptizim nʼihi nke a, ka e kpughee ya nye ndị Izrel.”
I myself did not [previously] recognize that he [was the Messiah]. But [now I know who he is], and I have baptized people with water to enable [you people of] Israel to recognize who he is.”
32 Mgbe ahụ Jọn gbara ama a sị, “Ahụrụ m ka Mmụọ Nsọ sitere nʼeluigwe rịdata dị ka nduru, nọkwasị ya.
John spoke clearly [what God had shown him about Jesus]. He said, “I saw [God’s] Spirit as he was descending from heaven in the form of a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.
33 Mụ onwe m amabughị ya, ma onye ahụ zitere m ka m jiri mmiri mee baptizim kwuru, ‘Onye ahụ ị ga-ahụ, onye Mmụọ Nsọ ga-ebekwasị, ma nọgidekwa, ọ bụ ya ga-eji Mmụọ Nsọ mee baptizim.’
I myself did not know [previously] that he [was the Messiah]. However, [God] sent me to baptize people with water, [people who said they wanted to turn from their sinful ways. While I was doing that], God told me, ‘The man on whom you will see my Spirit descend and remain is the one who will put the Holy Spirit within you [(pl) to truly change your lives].’
34 Mụ onwe m ahụla ya, na-agbakwa ama na onye a bụ Ọkpara Chineke.”
I saw [the Spirit descend on him], and I tell you that he is (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man).”
35 Nʼechi ya, Jọn na mmadụ abụọ ndị na-eso ụzọ ya guzoro nʼebe ahụ ọzọ.
The next day John was at the same place again (with two of us/with two of his disciples).
36 Mgbe ọ hụrụ Jisọs ka ọ na-agafe, ọ sịrị, “Leenụ, Nwa Atụrụ Chineke.”
When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! There is the man God [has appointed to be a sacrifice, like] the lambs [MET] [the people of Israel have sacrificed!]”
37 Mgbe mmadụ abụọ ahụ na-eso ụzọ ya nụrụ nke a, ha tụgharịrị soro Jisọs.
(When we/those two disciples) heard John say this, we/they went with Jesus.
38 Mgbe Jisọs tụgharịrị hụ ka ha na-eso ya, ọ sịrị ha, “Gịnị ka unu chọrọ?” Ha sịrị ya, “Rabbi” (nke pụtara “Onye ozizi”), “olee ebe i bi?”
Jesus turned around and saw us/them coming behind him. So he asked us/them, “What do you want?” We/They replied, “Teacher, [tell us] where you are staying, [because we want to talk with you].”
39 Ọ sịrị ha, “Bịanụ, unu ga-ahụ.” Ha sooro ya ga hụ ebe ọ na-anọ. Ha nọnyekwara ya ụbọchị ahụ niile. Ọ bụ nʼihe dị ka elekere anọ nke mgbede.
He replied, “Come [with me], and you will see [where I am staying]!” So we/they went with him and saw where he was staying. We/They stayed with him until about 4 o’clock (OR, from about 4 PM until the next day).
40 Otu nʼime mmadụ abụọ ahụ nụrụ ihe Jọn kwuru, nke sooro ya bụ Andru nwanne Saimọn Pita.
(One of us/One of the two men) who heard what John had said and who went with Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s [younger] brother.
41 Ihe mbụ o mere bụ ịchọta Saimọn nwanne ya sị ya, “Anyị achọtala Mezaya ahụ” (onye a na-akpọkwa Kraịst).
[After Andrew left Jesus], the first thing he did was to find his own [older] brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah!”
42 Ọ kpọtaara ya Jisọs. O lere ya anya sị, “Ị bụ Saimọn nwa Jọn. A ga-akpọ gị Sefas” (nke nsụgharị ya, pụtara Pita).
Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked intently at him, and then said, “You are Simon. Your father’s name is John. You will be given {[I] will give you} the name Cephas.” [Cephas is an Aramaic name that means ‘solid rock’. It] means [the same in Greek as the name] Peter.
43 Nʼechi ya, o kpebiri ịga Galili. Mgbe ọ hụrụ Filip, ọ sịrị ya, “Soro m.”
The next day [Jesus] decided to leave [the Jordan River valley]. He went to Galilee [district] and (OR, on the way there he) found a man named Philip. Jesus said to him, “Come with me!”
44 Filip bụ onye obodo Betsaida dị ka Andru na Pita.
Philip and Andrew and Peter were all from Bethsaida [town].
45 Filip chọtara Nataniel sị ya, “Anyị achọtala onye ahụ Mosis dere banyere ya nʼiwu, onye ndị amụma dekwara banyere ya, Jisọs onye Nazaret, nwa Josef.”
Then Philip [searched for] Nathaniel and found him, and said to him, “We have met [the Messiah], the one Moses [wrote about]! The prophets also [prophesied that he would come]. He is Jesus, from Nazareth [town]. His father’s name is Joseph.”
46 Nataniel sịrị ya, “Ihe ọma ọbụla ọ pụrụ i si na Nazaret pụta?” Ma Filip sịrị ya, “Bịa ka ị hụrụ.”
Nathaniel replied, “Nazareth? (Nothing good can come from [such an unimportant place]!/Can anything good come from [such an unimportant place]?) [RHQ]” Philip replied, “Come and see!”
47 Mgbe Jisọs hụrụ ka Nataniel na-abịaru ya nso, o kwuru sị, “Leenụ ezi nwa afọ Izrel onye aghụghọ na-adịghị nʼime ya.”
When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said about Nathaniel, “Here is an example of a good Israelite! He never deceives anyone!”
48 Nataniel sịrị ya, “Olee otu i si mata onye m bụ?” Jisọs sịrị ya, “Tupu Filip akpọ gị, ahụlarị m gị ka ị nọ nʼokpuru osisi fiig.”
Nathaniel asked him, “How do you know what I [am like]?” Jesus replied, “I saw you before Philip called you, when you were [by yourself] under the fig tree.”
49 Mgbe ahụ, Nataniel zaghachiri, “Onye ozizi, ị bụ Ọkpara Chineke; ị bụ eze Izrel.”
Then Nathaniel declared, “Teacher, you [must be] (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man)! You are the King of Israel [we have been waiting for]!”
50 Jisọs zara sị ya, “I kwere nʼihi na agwara m gị na ahụrụ m gị nʼokpuru osisi fiig? Ị ga-ahụ ihe dị ukwuu karịa nke a.”
Jesus replied to him, “You [RHQ] believe [those things about me] because I told you I saw you when you were under the fig tree. [I was able to see you supernaturally even though I was far away from you]. But you will see [me do] things that are more surprising than that!”
51 Ọ sịkwara ya, “Nʼezie, nʼezie agwa m unu, unu ga-ahụ eluigwe ka o meghere hụkwa ndị mmụọ ozi Chineke ka ha na-arịgokwuru, ma na-arịdakwuru Nwa nke Mmadụ.”
Then Jesus said to him, “This is the absolute truth: [Just like what your ancestor Jacob saw long ago in a vision], some day you [(pl)] will see heaven opened up, and you will see God’s angels ascending from me and descending on me, the one who came from heaven.”
