Ruka 1
1 Vazhinji vakaedza kurondedzera nhoroondo dzezvinhu zvakaitika pakati pedu,
My noble [friend] Theophilus, many people saw the things that [Jesus] did while he was with us, from the time when he started [MTY] [his ministry]. They served God [by teaching people] the message [about the Lord Jesus]. Many of those who heard what they taught wrote down for us accounts of the things that [Jesus did from the time when] he began [his ministry].
2 sokuturirwa kwazvakaitwa kwatiri neavo vakazviona kubva pakutanga naivozve vari varanda veshoko.
3 Naizvozvo, sezvo neniwo ndakanyatsoongorora zvose kubva pakutanga, ndakati zvakanakawo kuti ndikunyorerei imi Tiofiro mune mukurumbira, nhoroondo ndichinyatsotevedzanisa,
I myself have studied these accounts carefully. So I decided that it would be good for me also to write for you [(sg)] an accurate account of these matters.
4 kuitira kuti mugoziva chokwadi chezvinhu zvamakadzidziswa.
I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
5 Panguva yaHerodhi mambo weJudhea kwakanga kuno muprista ainzi Zekaria, akanga ari weboka rouprista hwaAbhija; mukadzi wake Erizabheti akanga ari chizvarwa chaAroni.
When King Herod [the Great ruled] Judea [district], there was a [Jewish] priest named Zechariah. He belonged to the [group of priests called] the Abijah group. He and his wife Elizabeth were both descended from the [first priest of Israel], Aaron.
6 Vose vakanga vakarurama pamberi paMwari, vachichengeta mirayiro yaShe yose nezvaakatema, vasina zvavangapomerwa.
[God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
7 Asi vakanga vasina vana, nokuti Erizabheti akanga asingabereki; uye vose vari vaviri vakanga vachembera kwazvo.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
8 Mumwe musi Zekaria akati ari pabasa reboka rake achibata somuprista pamberi paMwari,
One day [Zechariah’s] group was doing their work [in the Temple in Jerusalem], and he was serving as a priest in God’s presence.
9 akasarudzwa nomujenya, maererano netsika youprista, kuti aende andopisa zvinonhuhwira mutemberi yaShe.
Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
10 Uye nguva yokupisa zvinonhuhwira yakati yasvika, vanamati vose vakaungana panze vachinyengetera.
While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
11 Ipapo mutumwa waShe akazviratidza kwaari, akamira kurutivi rworudyi rwearitari yezvinonhuhwira.
Then an angel whom God had [sent] appeared to him. The angel was standing at the right side of the place [where the priests burned] incense.
12 Zekaria akati achimuona, akavhunduka uye akabatwa nokutya.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
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, “Zechariah, do not be afraid! When you [(sg)] prayed [asking God for a son] (OR, [that God would send the Messiah]), God heard what you prayed. [So] your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son. You must name him John.
14 Achava mufaro nokufarisisa kwamuri, uye vazhinji vachafara nokuda kwokuberekwa kwake,
He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
15 nokuti achava mukuru pamberi paShe. Haafaniri kutongonwa waini kana zvinonwiwa zvose zvakaviriswa, uye achazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene kunyange kubva pakuberekwa kwake.
God will consider him to be very important. He must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, [in order that he will be completely dedicated to God]. He will be controlled by the Holy Spirit {The Holy Spirit will control him} from before he is born.
16 Achadzorera vanhu vazhinji vaIsraeri kuna She Mwari wavo.
He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] 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.”
As [God’s] Spirit enables him [to preach] powerfully as [the prophet] Elijah did, he will precede [the Messiah]. He will cause parents [SYN] to act [peacefully] toward their children [again]. He will cause [many] people who do not obey [God to hear and obey] the wise things that righteous people [tell them]. He will do this in order to help [many] people to be ready when the Lord [comes].”
18 Zekaria akabvunza mutumwa akati, “Ndichazviziva seiko izvi? Ini ndava murume mutana uye mukadzi wangu achembera kwazvo.”
Then Zechariah said to the angel, “I am very old, and my wife is also so old [that she cannot bear a child. So] (I cannot [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]!/how can I [believe] that what you [(sg)] said [will happen]?) [RHQ]”
19 Mutumwa akapindura akati, “Ndini Gabhurieri. Ndinomira pamberi paMwari, uye ndatumwa kuti ndizotaura newe, ndizokuudza nhau dzakanaka idzi.
Then the angel said to him, “I am [God’s chief angel], Gabriel! [I do what God tells me, because] I constantly am in God’s presence! I was sent {[He] sent me} to tell you [(sg)] something good [that is going to happen to you].
20 Uye iye zvino uchava chimumumu uye uchatadza kutaura kusvikira pazuva razvichaitika, nokuti hauna kutenda mashoko angu, iwo achaitika nenguva yawo.”
What I have told you will certainly happen at the time [God decides], but you did not believe what I told you. So now [God will make] you will be unable to talk until the day [your son is born]”!
21 Zvichakadaro, vanhu vakanga vakamirira Zekaria vakashamiswa kuti akanga atora nguva yakareba kudai seiko ari mutemberi.
While [Zechariah and the angel] were talking, the people [in the courtyard] were waiting for Zechariah [to come out]. They wondered, “Why is he staying in the Temple for such a long time?”
22 Akati abuda, akasagona kutaura navo. Vakazviona kuti akanga aona chiratidzo mutemberi, nokuti akaramba achitaura navo namaoko, uye akaramba ari chimumumu asingagoni kutaura.
When Zechariah came out, he was not able to speak to the people. Because he could not talk, he made motions with his hands [to try to convey what had happened]. Then they realized that he had seen (a vision [from God]/something that [God] showed him) while he was in the Temple.
23 Nguva yokushumira kwake yakati yapera, akadzokera kumba kwake.
When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
24 Shure kwaizvozvo, mukadzi wake Erizabheti akava nemimba uye akazvivanza kwemwedzi mishanu.
Some time later his wife Elizabeth became pregnant [EUP]. She did not leave their house for five months, [because she knew that people would laugh at her if she told them that she was pregnant].
25 Akati mumwoyo make, “Ishe andiitira izvi. Mumazuva ano akaratidza nyasha dzake uye akabvisa kunyadziswa kwangu pakati pavanhu.”
But she thought, “God has enabled me to become pregnant. He has pitied me and I will no longer be ashamed [because I have no children]!”
26 Mumwedzi wechitanhatu, Mwari akatuma mutumwa Gabhurieri kuNazareta, guta riri muGarirea,
When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
27 kumhandara yakanga yatsidzirwa kuwanikwa nomurume ainzi Josefa, chizvarwa chaDhavhidhi. Zita remhandara iyi rainzi Maria.
[This time] he went to Nazareth [town] in Galilee [district], to a virgin whose name was Mary. It had been {[Her parents] had} promised that she would marry a man named Joseph, who was descended from [King] David.
28 Mutumwa akasvika kwaari akati, “Kwaziwa, iwe wakanzwirwa nyasha zvikuru! Ishe anewe.”
The angel greeted her and said, “(The Lord/God) is with you [(sg)] and you will be greatly blessed {[has decided to] greatly bless you}!”
29 Maria akatambudzika zvikuru namashoko ake uye akashamiswa kuti kukwazisa kwakadai ndekworudzii.
But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
30 Asi mutumwa akati kwaari, “Usatya, Maria, iwe wanzwirwa nyasha naMwari.
Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
31 Uchava nomwana uye uchazvara mwanakomana, ugomutumidza zita rokuti Jesu.
You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
32 Achava mukuru uye achanzi Mwanakomana weWokumusoro-soro. Ishe Mwari achamupa chigaro choushe chababa vake Dhavhidhi,
He will become great. He will be called {[People will] call him} (the Son of God/the man who is also God). God, the Lord, will make him a king [MTY] as his ancestor [King] David was.
33 uye achatonga pamusoro peimba yaJakobho nokusingaperi; umambo hwake hahungatongogumi.” (aiōn g165)
He will be the King of [the] Jews, the descendants [MTY] of [your ancestor] Jacob, forever. He will rule as king forever!” (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akabvunza mutumwa akati, “Ko, izvi zvichaitika seiko sezvo ini ndiri mhandara?”
Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
35 Mutumwa akapindura achiti, “Mweya Mutsvene achauya pamusoro pako, uye simba reWokumusoro-soro richakufukidza. Saka mutsvene achazvarwa achanzi Mwanakomana waMwari.
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come to you; the power of God [MTY/EUP] will overshadow you [and enable you to become pregnant]. So the child [you will] bear will be completely set apart {give himself completely} to obey God, and he will be called {[people] will say that he is} (the Son of God/the man who is also God).
36 Kunyange hama yako Erizabheti achava nomwana pamazuva okukwegura kwake, uye mwedzi uno ndowechitanhatu kuna iye ainzi asingabereki.
[I also need to tell you something else]. Your cousin Elizabeth is very old, and it was thought {[people] said} that she could not bear any children. But she has been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, and will bear a son!
37 Nokuti hakuna chinhu chisingagonekwi naMwari.”
[You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
38 Maria akati, “Ini ndiri muranda waShe. Ngazviitike hazvo kwandiri sezvamareva.” Ipapo mutumwa akabva paari.
Then Mary said, “All right, I want to serve (the Lord/God), so may what you [(sg)] have said about me come true!” Then the angel left her.
39 Panguva iyoyo Maria akagadzirira ndokukurumidza kuenda kune rimwe guta romunyika yezvikomo yeJudhea,
Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
40 uko kwaakasvikopinda mumba maZekaria akakwazisa Erizabheti.
She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
41 Erizabheti akati anzwa kukwazisa kwaMaria, mwana akakwakuka mudumbu make, ipapo Erizabheti akazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene.
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
42 Akadanidzira nenzwi guru achiti, “Wakaropafadzwa iwe pakati pavakadzi, uye akaropafadzwa mwana wauchazvara!
and she said loudly [to Mary], “[God] has blessed you [more than] he has blessed [any other] woman, and [he has] blessed the child you will bear!
43 Asi ini ndanzwirwawo nyasha seiko, zvokuti mai vaShe wangu vauye kwandiri?
(I am not worthy that [God would allow you] to visit me!/Why is [God allowing you] to visit me?) [RHQ] You will be the mother of my Lord!
44 Pangosvika inzwi rokukwazisa kwenyu munzeve dzangu mwana ari mudumbu mangu abva akwakuka nomufaro.
[I realize this because] as soon as I heard you greet me, the baby inside my womb moved because he was so happy [that you had come].
45 Akaropafadzwa iye akatenda kuti zvakataurwa kwaari naShe zvichaitika!”
[God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
46 Maria akati: “Mwoyo wangu unokudza Ishe
Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
47 uye mweya wangu unofara muna Mwari Muponesi wangu,
I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
48 nokuti akanga ane hanya nokuninipiswa kwomurandakadzi wake. Kubva zvino marudzi ose achanditi ndakaropafadzwa,
I was only his lowly servant girl, but he did not forget me. So from now on, everyone will say that God was pleased with me,
49 nokuti Iye Wamasimba andiitira zvinhu zvikuru, zita rake idzvene.
because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
50 Ngoni dzake dzinosvika kuna avo vanomutya, kubva kune chimwe chizvarwa kusvikira kune chimwe chizvarwa.
He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
51 Iye akaita mabasa esimba noruoko rwake; akaparadzira avo vanozvikudza mundangariro dzemwoyo yavo.
He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
52 Akabvisa vatongi pazvigaro zvavo, asi akasimudzira vanozvininipisa.
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
53 Akagutsa vane nzara nezvinhu zvakanaka, asi akadzinga vapfumi vasina chinhu.
He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
54 Akabatsira muranda wake Israeri, achirangarira kuva nengoni,
And now he has remembered what he promised. So he has helped me and all the other people of [MTY] Israel who serve him.
55 kuna Abhurahama nezvizvarwa zvake nokusingaperi, kunyange sezvaakareva kumadzibaba edu.” (aiōn g165)
He promised to Abraham and all our other ancestors who descended from him that he would act mercifully toward them forever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Maria akagara naErizabheti kwemwedzi inenge mitatu uye mushure maizvozvo akazodzokera zvake kumusha.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
57 Nguva yakati yasvika yokuti Erizabheti ave nomwana, akazvara mwana mukomana.
When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
58 Vavakidzani vake nehama dzake vakanzwa kuti Ishe akanga amunzwira ngoni huru, vakafara pamwe chete naye.
Her neighbors and relatives heard how (the Lord/God) had greatly blessed her [by enabling her to bear a child], so they were happy along with [Elizabeth].
59 Pazuva rorusere vakauya kuzodzingisa mwana, uye vakanga vachizomutumidza zita rababa vake Zekaria,
Seven days later they gathered together for the [ceremony for] circumcising the baby [to show that he belonged to God]. They wanted to give the baby the same name as his father, Zechariah.
60 asi mai vake vakati, “Kwete! Anofanira kunzi Johani.”
But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
61 Ivo vakati kwaari, “Pakati pehama dzenyu hapana munhu ane zita iroro.”
[So] they said to her, “[John] is not the name of any of your [(dl)] relatives, [so you(dl) should not give him that name]!”
62 Ipapo vakaninira namaoko kuna baba vake, kuti vazive zita raaida kupa mwana.
Then they made motions with their hands to Zechariah, [for him] to indicate what name [he] wanted to be given {to give} to his son.
63 Akavakumbira pokunyorera, akanyora kuti “Zita rake ndiJohani” uye vose vakashamiswa nazvo.
[So] he signaled that they [should give him] a tablet [to write on. When they gave him one], he wrote [on it], “His name is John.” All those [who were there] were surprised!
64 Pakarepo muromo wake wakazarurwa uye rurimi rwake rukasunungurwa, akatanga kutaura, achirumbidza Mwari.
Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
65 Vavakidzani vose vakazadzwa nokutya, nomunyika yose yezvikomo yeJudhea vanhu vakataura pamusoro pezvinhu izvi zvose.
All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
66 Vanhu vose vakazvinzwa vakashamiswa nazvo, vakati, “Mwana uyu achava akadiniko?” Nokuti ruoko rwaShe rwaiva naye.
Everyone who heard about it kept thinking about it. They were saying, “We wonder what will this child do [for God when] he [grows up] [RHQ]!” They wondered that because [from what had happened they were sure that] God would be helping that child [SYN] [in a powerful way].
67 Zekaria baba vake vakazadzwa noMweya Mutsvene uye vakaprofita vachiti:
[After] Zechariah’s [son was born], Zechariah was completely directed by the Holy Spirit {the Holy Spirit completely directed Zechariah} as he spoke these words that came from God:
68 “Ishe, Mwari waIsraeri ngaakudzwe, nokuti akauya akadzikinura vanhu vake.
“Praise the Lord, the God whom we(inc) people of Israel worship, because he has come to set us, his people, free from our enemies.
69 Akatisimudzira runyanga rworuponeso muimba yomuranda wake Dhavhidhi,
He is sending us someone who will powerfully [MTY] save us, someone who is descended from [MTY] King David, who served God well.
Long ago God caused his prophets to say that he would do that. (aiōn g165)
71 iko kuponeswa kubva kuvavengi vedu naparuoko rwavose vanotivenga,
He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
72 kunzwira madzibaba edu ngoni nokurangarira sungano yake tsvene,
He will do this because he has not forgotten what he promised our ancestors; he made an agreement that he would act mercifully to us, their descendants.
73 mhiko yaakapikira baba vedu Abhurahama:
That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
74 kutinunura kubva muruoko rwavavengi vedu, uye kutigonesa kuti timushumire tisingatyi,
God told him that we would be rescued {he would rescue us} from the power of our enemies, that he would enable us to serve him without being afraid,
75 muutsvene nokururama pamberi pake mazuva edu ose.
that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
76 “Uye iwe, mwana wangu, uchanzi muprofita weWokumusoro-soro; nokuti uchatungamira pamberi paShe kuti umugadzirire nzira,
[Then Zechariah said this to] his little son: “My child, you will be called {people will say that you are} a prophet whom God [MTY/EUP] has sent; you will begin your work before (the Lord/Messiah) comes; you will prepare people so that they will be ready for him. (OR, you will begin your work before the Messiah comes).
77 kuti ape vanhu vake ruzivo rworuponeso kubudikidza nokuregererwa kwezvivi zvavo,
You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
78 nokuda kwomwoyo munyoro waMwari wedu, naye zuva richatibudira richibva kudenga,
Our God will do that because he is very kind to us. Just like a new day begins when the sun rises [MET], God will do that new thing for us when the Messiah comes to us from heaven.
79 kuti rivhenekere pamusoro paavo vagere murima nomumumvuri worufu, uye kuti usesedze tsoka dzedu munzira yorugare.”
People who do not know God [MET] are like those who sit in the darkness. They are afraid [MTY] that they will soon die. But when the Messiah tells us God’s message, it will be like causing such people to see a bright light. He will guide us [SYN] so that we will be living peacefully.”
80 Uye mwana akakura akava nesimba mumweya; uye akagara mugwenga kusvikira azoonekwa pachena kuvaIsraeri.
[Later], Zechariah’s son grew up and became spiritually strong. Then he lived in a desolate region until he began to preach to the Israeli people.
