Ruka 1
1 Vazhinji vakaedza kurondedzera nhoroondo dzezvinhu zvakaitika pakati pedu,
To his Excellency, Theophilus. Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion among us,
2 sokuturirwa kwazvakaitwa kwatiri neavo vakazviona kubva pakutanga naivozve vari varanda veshoko.
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterwards became bearers of the message.
3 Naizvozvo, sezvo neniwo ndakanyatsoongorora zvose kubva pakutanga, ndakati zvakanakawo kuti ndikunyorerei imi Tiofiro mune mukurumbira, nhoroondo ndichinyatsotevedzanisa,
And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you,
4 kuitira kuti mugoziva chokwadi chezvinhu zvamakadzidziswa.
in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.
5 Panguva yaHerodhi mambo weJudhea kwakanga kuno muprista ainzi Zekaria, akanga ari weboka rouprista hwaAbhija; mukadzi wake Erizabheti akanga ari chizvarwa chaAroni.
In the reign of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.
6 Vose vakanga vakarurama pamberi paMwari, vachichengeta mirayiro yaShe yose nezvaakatema, vasina zvavangapomerwa.
They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 Asi vakanga vasina vana, nokuti Erizabheti akanga asingabereki; uye vose vari vaviri vakanga vachembera kwazvo.
But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
8 Mumwe musi Zekaria akati ari pabasa reboka rake achibata somuprista pamberi paMwari,
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his division,
9 akasarudzwa nomujenya, maererano netsika youprista, kuti aende andopisa zvinonhuhwira mutemberi yaShe.
it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense;
10 Uye nguva yokupisa zvinonhuhwira yakati yasvika, vanamati vose vakaungana panze vachinyengetera.
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 Ipapo mutumwa waShe akazviratidza kwaari, akamira kurutivi rworudyi rwearitari yezvinonhuhwira.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
12 Zekaria akati achimuona, akavhunduka uye akabatwa nokutya.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
13 Asi mutumwa akati kwaari, “Usatya, Zekaria; munyengetero wako wanzwikwa. Mukadzi wako Erizabheti achakuberekera mwanakomana, uye unofanira kumutumidza zita rokuti Johani.
But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, whom you will call by the name John.
14 Achava mufaro nokufarisisa kwamuri, uye vazhinji vachafara nokuda kwokuberekwa kwake,
He will be to you a joy and a delight; and many will rejoice over his birth.
15 nokuti achava mukuru pamberi paShe. Haafaniri kutongonwa waini kana zvinonwiwa zvose zvakaviriswa, uye achazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene kunyange kubva pakuberekwa kwake.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he will not drink any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth,
16 Achadzorera vanhu vazhinji vaIsraeri kuna She Mwari wavo.
and will reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 Uye achafamba pamberi paShe, mumweya nomusimba raEria, kuti adzorere mwoyo yamadzibaba kuvana vavo uye kuti vasingateereri vadzokere kuuchenjeri hwavakarurama, kuti agadzirire vanhu vakagadzirirwa kugamuchira Ishe.”
He will go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.’
18 Zekaria akabvunza mutumwa akati, “Ndichazviziva seiko izvi? Ini ndava murume mutana uye mukadzi wangu achembera kwazvo.”
‘How can I be sure of this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.’
19 Mutumwa akapindura akati, “Ndini Gabhurieri. Ndinomira pamberi paMwari, uye ndatumwa kuti ndizotaura newe, ndizokuudza nhau dzakanaka idzi.
‘I am Gabriel,’ the angel answered, ‘who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20 Uye iye zvino uchava chimumumu uye uchatadza kutaura kusvikira pazuva razvichaitika, nokuti hauna kutenda mashoko angu, iwo achaitika nenguva yawo.”
And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.’
21 Zvichakadaro, vanhu vakanga vakamirira Zekaria vakashamiswa kuti akanga atora nguva yakareba kudai seiko ari mutemberi.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
22 Akati abuda, akasagona kutaura navo. Vakazviona kuti akanga aona chiratidzo mutemberi, nokuti akaramba achitaura navo namaoko, uye akaramba ari chimumumu asingagoni kutaura.
When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.
23 Nguva yokushumira kwake yakati yapera, akadzokera kumba kwake.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 Shure kwaizvozvo, mukadzi wake Erizabheti akava nemimba uye akazvivanza kwemwedzi mishanu.
After this his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and lived in seclusion for five months.
25 Akati mumwoyo make, “Ishe andiitira izvi. Mumazuva ano akaratidza nyasha dzake uye akabvisa kunyadziswa kwangu pakati pavanhu.”
‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said, ‘he has shown me kindness and taken away the public disgrace of childlessness under which I have been living.’
26 Mumwedzi wechitanhatu, Mwari akatuma mutumwa Gabhurieri kuNazareta, guta riri muGarirea,
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 kumhandara yakanga yatsidzirwa kuwanikwa nomurume ainzi Josefa, chizvarwa chaDhavhidhi. Zita remhandara iyi rainzi Maria.
to a maiden there who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
28 Mutumwa akasvika kwaari akati, “Kwaziwa, iwe wakanzwirwa nyasha zvikuru! Ishe anewe.”
Gabriel came into her presence and greeted her, saying, ‘You have been shown great favour – the Lord is with you.’
29 Maria akatambudzika zvikuru namashoko ake uye akashamiswa kuti kukwazisa kwakadai ndekworudzii.
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
30 Asi mutumwa akati kwaari, “Usatya, Maria, iwe wanzwirwa nyasha naMwari.
when the angel spoke again, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Uchava nomwana uye uchazvara mwanakomana, ugomutumidza zita rokuti Jesu.
And now, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.
32 Achava mukuru uye achanzi Mwanakomana weWokumusoro-soro. Ishe Mwari achamupa chigaro choushe chababa vake Dhavhidhi,
The child will be great and will be called “Son of the Most High,” and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David,
33 uye achatonga pamusoro peimba yaJakobho nokusingaperi; umambo hwake hahungatongogumi.” (aiōn g165)
and he will reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there will be no end.’ (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akabvunza mutumwa akati, “Ko, izvi zvichaitika seiko sezvo ini ndiri mhandara?”
‘How can this be?’ Mary asked the angel. ‘For I have no husband.’
35 Mutumwa akapindura achiti, “Mweya Mutsvene achauya pamusoro pako, uye simba reWokumusoro-soro richakufukidza. Saka mutsvene achazvarwa achanzi Mwanakomana waMwari.
‘The Holy Spirit will descend on you,’ answered the angel, ‘and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called “holy,” and “Son of God.”
36 Kunyange hama yako Erizabheti achava nomwana pamazuva okukwegura kwake, uye mwedzi uno ndowechitanhatu kuna iye ainzi asingabereki.
And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren;
37 Nokuti hakuna chinhu chisingagonekwi naMwari.”
for no promise from God will fail to be fulfilled.’
38 Maria akati, “Ini ndiri muranda waShe. Ngazviitike hazvo kwandiri sezvamareva.” Ipapo mutumwa akabva paari.
‘I am the servant of the Lord,’ exclaimed Mary. ‘Let it be with me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.
39 Panguva iyoyo Maria akagadzirira ndokukurumidza kuenda kune rimwe guta romunyika yezvikomo yeJudhea,
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
40 uko kwaakasvikopinda mumba maZekaria akakwazisa Erizabheti.
and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Erizabheti akati anzwa kukwazisa kwaMaria, mwana akakwakuka mudumbu make, ipapo Erizabheti akazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 Akadanidzira nenzwi guru achiti, “Wakaropafadzwa iwe pakati pavakadzi, uye akaropafadzwa mwana wauchazvara!
and cried aloud, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
43 Asi ini ndanzwirwawo nyasha seiko, zvokuti mai vaShe wangu vauye kwandiri?
But how have I this honour, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Pangosvika inzwi rokukwazisa kwenyu munzeve dzangu mwana ari mudumbu mangu abva akwakuka nomufaro.
For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
45 Akaropafadzwa iye akatenda kuti zvakataurwa kwaari naShe zvichaitika!”
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.’
46 Maria akati: “Mwoyo wangu unokudza Ishe
And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord,
47 uye mweya wangu unofara muna Mwari Muponesi wangu,
and my spirit delights in God my Saviour,
48 nokuti akanga ane hanya nokuninipiswa kwomurandakadzi wake. Kubva zvino marudzi ose achanditi ndakaropafadzwa,
for he has looked with favour on his humble servant girl. From now on all generations will call me blessed!
49 nokuti Iye Wamasimba andiitira zvinhu zvikuru, zita rake idzvene.
‘For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 Ngoni dzake dzinosvika kuna avo vanomutya, kubva kune chimwe chizvarwa kusvikira kune chimwe chizvarwa.
He has mercy on those who revere him in every generation.
51 Iye akaita mabasa esimba noruoko rwake; akaparadzira avo vanozvikudza mundangariro dzemwoyo yavo.
‘Mighty are the deeds of his arm! He has scattered the self-satisfied proud,
52 Akabvisa vatongi pazvigaro zvavo, asi akasimudzira vanozvininipisa.
he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and he uplifts the humble,
53 Akagutsa vane nzara nezvinhu zvakanaka, asi akadzinga vapfumi vasina chinhu.
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 Akabatsira muranda wake Israeri, achirangarira kuva nengoni,
‘He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy,
55 kuna Abhurahama nezvizvarwa zvake nokusingaperi, kunyange sezvaakareva kumadzibaba edu.” (aiōn g165)
as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.’ (aiōn g165)
56 Maria akagara naErizabheti kwemwedzi inenge mitatu uye mushure maizvozvo akazodzokera zvake kumusha.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57 Nguva yakati yasvika yokuti Erizabheti ave nomwana, akazvara mwana mukomana.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
58 Vavakidzani vake nehama dzake vakanzwa kuti Ishe akanga amunzwira ngoni huru, vakafara pamwe chete naye.
and her neighbours and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 Pazuva rorusere vakauya kuzodzingisa mwana, uye vakanga vachizomutumidza zita rababa vake Zekaria,
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father,
60 asi mai vake vakati, “Kwete! Anofanira kunzi Johani.”
when his mother spoke up, ‘No, he is to be called John.’
61 Ivo vakati kwaari, “Pakati pehama dzenyu hapana munhu ane zita iroro.”
‘You have no relation of that name!’ they exclaimed;
62 Ipapo vakaninira namaoko kuna baba vake, kuti vazive zita raaida kupa mwana.
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 Akavakumbira pokunyorera, akanyora kuti “Zita rake ndiJohani” uye vose vakashamiswa nazvo.
Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words – “His name is John.” Everyone was surprised
64 Pakarepo muromo wake wakazarurwa uye rurimi rwake rukasunungurwa, akatanga kutaura, achirumbidza Mwari.
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
65 Vavakidzani vose vakazadzwa nokutya, nomunyika yose yezvikomo yeJudhea vanhu vakataura pamusoro pezvinhu izvi zvose.
All their neighbours were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about.
66 Vanhu vose vakazvinzwa vakashamiswa nazvo, vakati, “Mwana uyu achava akadiniko?” Nokuti ruoko rwaShe rwaiva naye.
All who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another – ‘What can this child be destined to become?’ For the Power of the Lord was with him.
67 Zekaria baba vake vakazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene uye vakaprofita vachiti:
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
68 “Ishe, Mwari waIsraeri ngaakudzwe, nokuti akauya akadzikinura vanhu vake.
‘Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
69 Akatisimudzira runyanga rworuponeso muimba yomuranda wake Dhavhidhi,
and has raised up for us the strength of our salvation in the house of his servant David –
as he promised by the lips of his holy prophets of old – (aiōn g165)
71 iko kuponeswa kubva kuvavengi vedu naparuoko rwavose vanotivenga,
salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,
72 kunzwira madzibaba edu ngoni nokurangarira sungano yake tsvene,
showing mercy to our ancestors, and mindful of his sacred covenant.
73 mhiko yaakapikira baba vedu Abhurahama:
This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham –
74 kutinunura kubva muruoko rwavavengi vedu, uye kutigonesa kuti timushumire tisingatyi,
that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
75 muutsvene nokururama pamberi pake mazuva edu ose.
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days.
76 “Uye iwe, mwana wangu, uchanzi muprofita weWokumusoro-soro; nokuti uchatungamira pamberi paShe kuti umugadzirire nzira,
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his way,
77 kuti ape vanhu vake ruzivo rworuponeso kubudikidza nokuregererwa kwezvivi zvavo,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 nokuda kwomwoyo munyoro waMwari wedu, naye zuva richatibudira richibva kudenga,
through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven,
79 kuti rivhenekere pamusoro paavo vagere murima nomumumvuri worufu, uye kuti usesedze tsoka dzedu munzira yorugare.”
to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.’
80 Uye mwana akakura akava nesimba mumweya; uye akagara mugwenga kusvikira azoonekwa pachena kuvaIsraeri.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds until the time came for his appearance before Israel.
