Luka 3
1 Wavi mwaka wa kumi na mhanu wa unkosi waki nkosi wa ku Loma Tibelio, penapo Ponsio Pilatu avi nkosi wa mulima wa ku Yudea. Na Helodi alongosai ku Galilaya, na mhaja waki Filipi alongosa ku Itulea na Tilakoniti. Na Lusania alongosa ku Abilene,
When the Emperor Tiberius had been ruling [the Roman Empire] for 15 years, and while Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea [district], and Herod [Antipas] was ruling Galilee [district], and his brother Philip was ruling Iturea and Trachonitis [districts], and Lysanius was ruling Abilene [district],
2 lukumbi lwenulo Anasi na Kayafa vavi vamlota vakulu va Chapanga. Penapo ndi lilovi la Chapanga lamhikili Yohani mwana wa Zakalia kulugangatu.
and while Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests [in Jerusalem], God gave messages to Zechariah’s son John while he was living in the desolate region.
3 Yohani akahamba pamulima woha wewavi mumbaka wa mfuleni Yoludani, akavya kuvakokosela vandu, valekayi kumbudila Chapanga na vabatiziwa, na Chapanga yati akuvalekekesa gevambudili.
[So] John went all over the area close to the Jordan [River]. He kept telling people, “If you want [God] to forgive you for your sins, you must (repent/turn away from your sinful behavior) [before you ask me] to baptize [you]!”
4 Ngati chegayandikwi muchitabu cha Isaya mweavi mlota wa Chapanga, “Mundu ikemela kwa lwami luvaha kulugangatu, ‘Mumkwalila Bambu njila yivaha, mukagolosa pala peibwela kupita.
John was the one who [fulfilled] these words that had [been written] by the prophet Isaiah {that the prophet Isaiah had written} on a scroll [long ago]: In a desolate area, someone [SYN] will be heard shouting [to the people who pass by], “Prepare yourselves [to receive] the Lord when he comes! [Make yourselves ready so that you will be prepared when he comes], [just like people] straighten out the road [MET] [for an important official] [MET, DOU]!
5 Ligodi loloha lihilaliwayi, Chitumbi chochoa na chitumbi yati chidandasiwayi na pepapindili yati pigoloswa, na njila zina magodi zihilaliwayi.
[Just like people] level off all the places where the land rises and [just like they] fill all the ravines, and [just like people] make the road straight wherever it is crooked, and [just like people] make smooth the bumps in the road, [similarly you need to remove all the obstacles which prevent God from blessing you]!
6 Na vandu voha va pamulima yati vaulola usangula kuhuma kwa Chapanga.’”
Then people [SYN] everywhere will understand how God can save [MTY] [people].”
7 Yohani akaujovela msambi wa vandu vevamuhambili ndava ya kubatiziwa. “Nyenye vana va Liyoka! Yani mweavajovili ngati muhotola kutila ligoga la Chapanga yeyivii papipi kubwela?
Although large groups of people came to John to be baptized {in order that he would baptize them}, [he knew that many of them were not sincere]. So he kept saying to them, “You [people are evil] [MET] [like] poisonous snakes! [I] warn you that [God] will some day punish [MTY] [everyone] who sins. And (do not think that you can escape [from his punishing] [MTY] [you if you do not turn from your sinful behavior!/did someone tell you] that you can escape [from his punishing] [MTY] [you if you do not turn from your sinful behavior]?) [RHQ] (OR, Who told you that you could escape [God’s punishment?])
8 Ngati mikongo ya matunda cheyiganikiwa kupambika, na nyenye mkitayi mambu ga kulangisa, mkotwiki kumbudila Chapanga. Mkotoka kutumbula kujijovela ngati Ibulahimu dadi witu. Chakaka nikuvajovela Chapanga ihotola kugakita maganga aga kuvya vana va Ibulahimu!
Do what is appropriate for people who have truly turned from their sinful behavior! [God promised to give Abraham many] descendants. In order to fulfill that promise, God does not need you! I tell you that he can change these stones to make them descendants of Abraham! So do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We [(exc)] are descendants of Abraham, [so God will not punish us, even though we have] sinned!’
9 Na hinu livagu livi litendekiwi pamikiga ya mkongo, na mkongo wowoha wula wangapambika matunda gabwina yati udumuliwa na kutagiwa kumotu.”
[God is ready to punish you if you do not turn away from your sinful behavior, just like a man] [MET] lays his axe at the roots [of a fruit] tree [to chop it down and throw it into the fire if it does not produce good fruit] [MET].”
10 Msambi wa vandu ukamkota Yesu, “Hinu tikita kyani?”
[Then] various ones in the crowd asked John, “What shall we [(exc)] do [to escape God punishing us] (OR), [to show that we have repented]?”
11 Yohani akavayangula, “Mundu mweavi na nyula zivili ampela muyaki mweangavya nazu, na mweavi na vyakulya na mwene akita mewa.”
He answered them, “If any of you has two shirts, you should give one of them to someone who has no shirt. If any of you has [plenty of] food, you should give some to those who have no food.”
12 Na vatola kodi mewa vabwelili kwa Yohani kubatiziwa, ndi vakamkota “Muwula, hinu tikita wuli tete?”
[Some] tax collectors came [and asked] to be baptized ([asked him] to baptize them}. They asked him, “Teacher, what shall we [(exc)] do [to please God]?”
13 “Akavajovela, mkotoka kutola kodi kuyonjokesa chemulagaziwi.”
He said to them, “Do not take from the people any more money than [the Roman government] tells you to take!”
14 Manjolinjoli na vene vakamkota, “Na tete tikita wuli?” Akavajovela, “Mkotoka kutola mashonga kwa mundu yoyoha kwa makakala na kumtakila mundu yoyoha ga udese na mukolayi na luhuna zinu.”
Some soldiers asked him, “What about us? What should we [(exc)] do [to please God]?” He said to them, “Do not [say to anyone], ‘[If you(sg) do not give me] some money, I will hurt you,’ and do not take [people to court and] falsely accuse them of doing something wrong! And be content with your wages.”
15 Ndava vandu voha valindalilayi kubwela kwa msangula, ndi vakatumbula kukotana vene kwa vene kumvala Yohani, manya mwene ndi Kilisitu msangula mwaatijovili Chapanga.
People were expecting [that the Messiah would come soon]. Because of that, many of them wondered about John. [Some of them asked him] if he was the Messiah.
16 Yohani akavajovela woha, “Nene nikuvabatiza kwa manji, nambu mweibwela ana makakala kuliku nene, kwa mwene, nene chindu lepi nakuganikiwa hati kuwopola nyosi za champali zaki. Mwene yati akuvabatiza kwa Mpungu Msopi na motu.
John replied to them all, “No, [I am not]. I used [only] water when I baptized you. But [the Messiah] will soon come! He is far greater than I am. [He is so great that] I am not worthy to [be like his slave and] untie his sandals [MET] [like] a slave would do! He will put [his] Holy Spirit within [MTY] you [to truly change your lives], and [he will judge others of you and punish you in] the fire [MET] [in hell]. (questioned)
17 Mu mawoko gaki akamwili lupalu lwa kupepetela nganu, na nganu ya bwina akuyivika pamonga muchibana, na masasa akugayocha motu wangajima.”
He [is like a man] [MET] [who wants to] clear away the grain on the ground where it has been threshed {they have threshed it}. That man [uses] a huge fork [to throw the grain into the air] to separate the wheat from the chaff [MET], and then he cleans up the threshing area. [Similarly, God] will [separate righteous people from the evil people, like a man who] gathers the wheat into his storage area, and then he will burn [those who are like] chaff with a fire (that will never be put out/that will burn forever).”
18 Na kwa malovi gangi gamahele, Yohani akangamili kuvajovela vandu vakotoka kumbudila Chapanga kwa kuvakokosela Lilovi la Bwina.
John kept telling people many things to urge them [to turn to God], as he told them the good message [from God].
19 Nambu Yohani amuywangili chilongosi Helodi, ndava amtoli Helodiya mdala wa mhaja waki na kumgega, na mambu gahakau gamahele geakitili.
He also rebuked [the ruler of the district], Herod [Antipas. He rebuked him] for [marrying] Herodias, his brother’s wife, [while his brother was still alive], and for doing many other evil things.
20 Kangi Helodi akayonjokesa uhakau, kwa kumkunga Yohani muchifungu.
But Herod [had his soldiers] put John in prison. That was another evil thing he did.
21 Vandu voha pavamali kubatiziwa, Yesu namwene abatiziwi na kuni iyendelela kuyupa kwa Chapanga, lihundi la kunani likadinduka.
[But before John was put in prison], when many people were being baptized {when he was baptizing many people}, after Jesus was baptized {he baptized Jesus} and Jesus was praying, the sky opened.
22 Ndi Mpungu Msopi ukamuhelela panani yaki wavi ngati higa ya ngunda, na lwami lukayuwanika kuhuma kunani kwa Chapanga, “Veve ndi wamwana vangu mweuniganisi.”
Then the Holy Spirit, resembling a dove, descended upon [Jesus]. And [God] [SYN/EUP] spoke to Jesus from heaven, saying, “You [(sg)] are my Son, whom I love dearly. I am very pleased with you!”
23 Yesu peatumbwili kuhenga lihengu lila, ahegalili miyaka selasini. Na vandu vangi vamuholalelayi manya avi mwana wa Yosefu, Yosefu avi mwana wa Heli,
When Jesus began [his work for God], he was about 30 years old. It was {[People]} thought that he was [the son of] Joseph. [Joseph was the son] of Heli.
24 Heli avi mwana wa Matati, Matati avi mwana wa Lawi, Lawi avi mwana wa meliki, Meliki avi mwana wa Yanai, Yanai avi mwana wa Yosefu,
[Heli was the son] of Matthat. [Matthat was the son] of Levi. [Levi was the son] of Melchi. [Melchi was the son] of Jannai. [Jannai was the son] of Joseph.
25 mweavi mwana wa matatia, mwana wa Amosi, mwana wa Nahumu, mwana wa Esili, mwana wa Nagai,
[Joseph was the son] of Mattathias. [Mattathias was the son] of Amos. [Amos was the son] of Nahum. [Nahum was the son] of Esli. [Esli was the son] of Naggai.
26 mwana wa Maati, mwana wa Matatia, mwana wa Shemeni, mwana wa Yoseki, mwana wa Yuda,
[Naggai was the son] of Maath. [Maath was the son] of Mattathias. [Mattathias was the son] of Semein. [Semein was the son] of Josech. [Josech was the son] of Joda.
27 mweavi mwana wa Yohanani, mwana wa Lesa, mwana wa Zelubabeli, mwana wa Shealitieli, mwana wa Neli,
[Joda was the son] of Joanan. [Joanan was the son] of Rhesa. [Rhesa was the son] of Zerubbabel. [Zerubbabel was the son] of Shealtiel. [Shealtiel was the son] of Neri.
28 mwana wa Meliki, mwana wa Adi, mwana wa Kosamu, mwana wa Elimadamu, mwana wa Eli,
[Neri was the son] of Melchi. [Melchi was the son] of Addi. [Addi was the son] of Cosam. [Cosam was the son] of Elmadam. [Elmadam was the son] of Er.
29 mweavi mwana wa Yoshua, mwana wa Eliezeli, mwana wa Yolimu, mwana wa Matati, mwana wa Lawi,
[Er was the son] of Joshua. [Joshua was the son] of Eliezer. [Eliezer was the son] of Jorim. [Jorim was the son] of Matthat. [Matthat was the son] of Levi.
30 mweavi mwana wa Simioni, mwana wa Yuda, mwana wa Yosefu, mwana wa Yonamu, mwana wa Eliakimu,
[Levi was the son] of Simeon. [Simeon was the son] of Judah. [Judah was the son] of Joseph. [Joseph was the son] of Jonam. [Jonam was the son] of Eliakim.
31 mweavi mwana wa Melea, mwana wa Mena, mwana wa Matata, mwana wa Nasani, mwana wa Daudi,
[Eliakim was the son] of Melea. [Melea was the son] of Menna. [Menna was the son] of Mattatha. [Mattatha was the son] of Nathan. [Nathan was the son] of David.
32 mweavi mwana wa Yese, mwana wa Obedi, mwana wa Boazi, mwana wa Solomoni, mwana wa Nashoni,
[David was the son] of Jesse. [Jesse was the son] of Obed. [Obed was the son] of Boaz. [Boaz was the son] of Sala. [Sala was the son] of Nahshon.
33 mweavi mwana wa Aminadabu, mwana wa Adimini, mwana wa Alini, mwana wa Heziloni, mwana wa Pelisi, mwana wa Yuda,
[Nahshon was the son] of Amminadab. [Amminadab was the son] of Admin. [Admin was the son] of Arni. [Arni was the son] of Hezron. [Hezron was the son] of Perez. [Perez was the son] of Judah.
34 mweavi mwana wa Yakobo, mwana wa Izaki, mwana wa Ibulahimu, mwana wa Tela, mwana wa Naholi,
[Judah was the son] of Jacob. [Jacob was the son] of Isaac. [Isaac was the son] of Abraham. [Abraham was the son] of Terah. [Terah was the son] of Nahor.
35 mweavi mwana wa Selugi, mwana wa Leu, mwana wa Pelegi, mwana wa Ebeli, mwana wa Sala,
[Nahor was the son] of Serug. [Serug was the son] of Reu. [Reu was the son] of Peleg. [Peleg was the son] of Eber. [Eber was the son] of Shelah.
36 mweavi mwana wa Kenani, mwana wa Alifakisadi, mwana wa Shemu, mwana wa Nuhu, mwana wa Lameki,
[Shelah was the son] of Cainan. [Cainan was the son] of Arphaxad. [Arphaxad was the son] of Shem. [Shem was the son] of Noah. [Noah was the son] of Lamech.
37 mweavi mwana wa Metusela, mwana wa Henoki, mwana wa Yeledi, mwana wa Mahalaleli, mwana wa Kenani,
[Lamech was the son] of Methuselah. [Methuselah was the son] of Enoch. [Enoch was the son] of Jared. [Jared was the son] of Mahalalel. [Mahalalel was the son] of Cainan.
38 mweavi mwana wa Enoshi, mwana wa Seti, mwana wa Adamu mwavi mwana wa Chapanga.
[Cainan was the son] of Enos. [Enos was the son] of Seth. [Seth was the son] of Adam. [Adam was the man] God created.
