Luka 1
1 Teofilo Walemekwa, bantu bangi balelekesha kwambeti balembe sha makani abintu ibyo byalenshika pakati petu,
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 balalemba mbuli ncobalambilwa kuli bakamboni balabona bintu ibyo mpobyalatatikila kwinshika. abo ebalikukambauka Mulumbe uwo.
3 Pabintu byonse ibi ndalepushisha mwabuya, kufuma pacindi ncobyalatatika kwinshika, neco ndayeye kwambeti ndimulembele mbuli mobyakonkanilana.
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 Ndenshici kwambeti mwinshibe cakubinga pali byonse mbyobalamwambila.
I want you to know the truth about what you have been taught {what others have taught you}.
5 Pacindi mwami Helode mpwalikuba muleli wacishi ca Yudeya kwalikuba shimilumbo walikukwiweti Sakaliya, wamukalikoto ka beshimilumbo ka Abija. Mukashendi Sakaliya walikuba Lisabeti wa mumukowa wa Aloni.
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 Bonse babili balikuba bantu beshikunyumfwila Lesa, kayi bali kukonkela Milawo ne byonse Lesa mbyalikuyandeti babinse.
[God considered that] both of them were righteous, because they constantly completely obeyed everything that God had commanded.
7 Nomba nkabalikukutepo mwana, pakwinga Lisabeti walikuba cumba kayi balikuba balacekulu.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth had been unable to bear children. Furthermore, she and her husband were very old.
8 Busuba nabumbi, Sakaliya walikusebensa ncito yakendi yabushimilumbo mu Ng'anda ya Lesa. Pakwinga bwalikuba busuba bwalikoto lyakendi.
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 Lino kwelana ne cinga ca beshimilumbo, balasala Sakaliya kwambeti ayenga mu Ng'anda ya Lesa kuya kutenta lubani.
Following their custom, [the other priests] chose him by lot to enter the Lord’s temple and burn incense.
10 Pacindi Sakaliya mpwalikutenta lubani, likoto lya bantu balikuba pansa kabapaila.
While he was burning the incense, many people were outside [in the courtyard], praying.
11 Lino mwakutayeyela Sakaliya walabona mungelo wa Mwami, kali wemana kulubasu lwalulyo lwanteme pali kutentelwa lubani.
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 Sakaliya walakankamana nekutina.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and became very afraid.
13 Nsombi mungelo uyo walamwambileti, “Kotatina Sakaliya, Lesa lanyumfu kupaila kwakobe, neco mukashobe lisabeti nakakusemene mwana mutuloba ukamutumbe lineti Yohane.
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 Nakakukondweleshe ne kukusangalasha cikamba, kayi bantu bangi naboyo nibakakondwe pacebo cakusemwa kwakendi.
He will cause you to be very happy, and many other people will also be happy because he is born.
15 Pakwinga mwana uyo nakabe mukulene pamenso a Lesa, kayi nteshi akanwenga waini nambi byeshikukola. Nakakutenga ngofu sha Mushimu Uswepa nkacili mulibunda.
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 Uyu muntu nakenshisheti ba Isilayeli bangi bakabwele kuli Mwami Lesa wabo.
He will [persuade] many people in Israel to turn away [from their sins and please] the Lord their God.
17 Yohane nakabe kuntangu kwa Mwami, kayi nakabe ne Mushimu nengofu mbuli shali kuba ne mushinshimi Eliya. Nakalete lunyufwano pakati pabana neba meshabo.” “Nakasandule bantu batanyumfwili Lesa kwambeti bakabe ne miyeyo ya bantu balulama. Nakabambe bantu ba Mwami kwambeti babenga balibambila.”
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 Sakaliya walepusha mungelo uyo, “Nomba nganjishibaconi kwambeti ncolambanga nicikenshike? Pakwinga ame ndacekulu neye mukashame lacekulu.”
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 Mungelo usa walakumbuleti, ame njame Gabiliyeli. Nkute kwimana pamenso a Lesa cindi conse. Nendi elantumu kwambeti nkwambile bintu ibi.
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 Nomba pakwinga uliya kushoma mulumbe uyu ngondamba weti ukenshike pacindi celela, nube cibulu nteti ucikonshenga kwamba, mpaka ibi bintu bikenshike.
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 Pacindi ico bantu balikupembelela Sakaliya balakankamana nkabepushanyeti nicani lamanta cindi citali mu Ng'anda ya Lesa?
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 Lino mpwalapula pansa nkalikucikonsha kwamba nabo. Nomba nabo balenshiba kwambeti labono cimboni mboni, popelapo walatatika kwamba ne makasa mbuli cibulu, neco walapitilisha kuba cibulu.
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 Mpwalapwa masuba akusebensa mu Ng'anda ya Lesa, Sakaliya walaya kucomwabo.
When Zechariah’s time to work [as a priest in the Temple] was finished, he [left Jerusalem and] returned to his home.
24 Panyuma pakendi Lisabeti walemita, lino nkalikupulapula mu ng'anda kwamyenshi isanu nkambeti,
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 “Lesa lino lanyumfwili inkumbo pakunyinshileci lafunyu insoni shakame pamenso abantu.”
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 Mumwenshi wacisanu ne umo kufuma mpwalemita Lisabeti, Lesa walatuma mungelo Gabiliyeli ku munshi naumbi waku Galileya, walikukwiweti Nasaleti.
When Elizabeth had been [pregnant] [EUP] [for almost] six months, the angel Gabriel was sent by God {God sent the angel Gabriel} [again].
27 Walaya ku mulindu walikukwiweti Maliya. Maliya walikuba wamamikilwa kumutuloba lina lyakendi ni Yosefe wa mumukowa wa Dafeti.
[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 Mungelo mpwalashika kuli Maliya walambeti, mitende obe walelekwa ne Lesa. Lesa uli ne njobe.
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 Maliya mpwalanyumfwa maswi a mungelo walatilimuka walipusha mumoyo wakendi eti, “Nikupa mitende kwamushobo cini uku?”
But Mary was very confused [when she heard] that. She wondered what [the angel meant] by these words.
30 Popelapo mungelo walamwambileti, “Kotatina, Maliya; Pakwinga Lesa lakunyumfwili inkumbo.
Then the angel said to her, “Mary, God is very pleased with you [(sg)], so do not be afraid.
31 Bona nukemite ne kusema mwana mutuloba ukamutumbeti Yesu.
You will become pregnant and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
32 “Nakabe mukulene kayi nakakwiweti mwanendi Lesa wakwilu wapitapo. Mwami Lesa nakamupe cipuna ca bwami ca Dafeti.
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.
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 Lino, Maliya walamwipusha Mungelo eti, “Nomba ici ngacinshika econi ame nkana nkumanapo ne mutuloba?”
Then Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin, so how can I [have a baby]?”
35 Mungelo walakumbuleti, Mushimu Uswepa nukese palinjobe nengofu sha Lesa wapita byonse nishikakufwekelele. Neco mwana eshi akasemwe nakakwiweti waswepa, Mwanendi Lesa.
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 “Bona mukwenu Lisabeti usa walikwambweti nkaseme, lino lapembelenga kuya kuba ne mwana mutuloba mubucembele bwakendi. Pakwinga ukute myenshi isanu ne umo kakute libunda.
[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 Pakwinga paliya ceshi cikamwalile Lesa.”
[You should not be surprised at that], because God can do everything!”
38 Maliya walakumbuleti, “Kacinshika mbuli momulambili, pakwinga ame ndemusha wa Mwami.” Lino mungelo usa walamushiya.
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 Mpopalapita masuba ang'ana, Maliya walanyamuka bulwendo bwakufwambana kuya kumusena wa milundu, kumunshi wa Yudeya.
Very soon after that, Mary got ready and went quickly to a town in the highlands of Judea [district] where Zechariah lived.
40 Walengila mung'anda ya Sakaliya nekumupa mutende Lisabeti.
She entered his house and greeted [his wife] Elizabeth.
41 Pacindi Lisabeti mpwalanyumfwa mutende wa Maliya, mwana walatatika kunyanyala mwakukondwa mulibunda mwakendi. Lisabeti walesushiwa ne ngofu sha Mushimu Uswepa,
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary greet her, the baby moved inside [Elizabeth’s] womb. The Holy Spirit took complete control of Elizabeth,
42 kayi walolobesha ne kwambeti, “Ukute colwe pakati pa batukashi bonse, kayi mwanobe weshi akasemwe walelekwa.
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 Anu njame bani kwambeti mfwakashilwe ne banyina Mwami wakame?
(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 Pakwinga mpondalanyumfowa mutende wenu, mwana walatatika kunyanyala mwakukondwa mulibunda mwakame.
[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 Ukute colwe pakwinga walashoma kwambeti makani Lesa ayo ngowalambilwa nakubinga nakenshike.”
[God] is pleased with you [because] you believed that what (the Lord/God) told you would come true.”
46 Popelapo Maliya walalumbaisha nekwambeti, “Ndalumbu Mwami mumoyo mwakame,
Then Mary [praised God by] saying/singing: “, how I [SYN] praise (the Lord/God)!
47 Kayi mushimu wakame wakondwa muli Lesa Mupulushi wakame.
I am happy because God is the one who saves me.
48 Pakwinga labono kulicepesha kwakame ndemusha wakendi kufuma lelo, bantu bonse pacishi ca panshi nibakankuweti walelekwa.
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 Pakwinga nendi Lesa wangofu shonse lanjinshili bintu binene, lina lyakendi lyaswepa.
because they will hear about the things that God [MTY], the mighty one, has done for me. He [MTY] is awesome!
50 Kayi inkumbo shakendi shili pali bonse bantu abo bakute kumulemeka kufuma kumusemano kushika kumusemano naumbi.
He acts mercifully toward all those who respect him.
51 Likasa lyakendi lilenshi bintu binene byangofu byeshi kukankamanisha, lamwaya bantu bakute miyeyo ya kulisumpula.
He shows people that he [MTY] is very powerful. He scatters those who think proudly.
52 Lafunyu Bami bangofu shinene pabipuna byabo, nekusumpula abo beshi kulicepesha.
He does not let mighty kings rule [MTY] any more, but he honors people who are oppressed (OR, humble).
53 Lapa bantu bakute nsala bintu bingi kwambeti bekute, Lababweshe babile kwakubula kubapapo kantu kalikonse.
He gives good things to eat to those who are hungry, but he sends away the rich people without giving them anything.
54 Lanyamfwa Islaeli musebenshi wakendi kayi uliya kuluba kumwinshila inkumbo
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 mbuli ncalalaya bamashali betu bakulukulu, Abulahamu ne bashikulu bakendi mpaka muyayaya.” (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 Maliya walekala ne Lisabeti myenshi yanda kukwana itatu, panyuma pakendi walabwelela kucomwabo.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months. Then she returned to her home.
57 Lino cindi cakwambeti Lisabeti atumbuke calakwana, walasema mwana mutuloba.
When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth to her child, she bore a son.
58 Beshikamukowa ne banendi mpobalanyufwa mbuli Mwami ncalamubela inkumbo Lisabeti balakondwa pamo bonse ne ndiye.
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 Mwana usa mpwalakwanisha nsondo ne busuba bumo balesa kwambeti bamwelule, kayi bamutumbe lina lyabaishi ba Sakaliya,
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 nsombi banyina balakana kwambeti, “Welela kukwiweti Yohane.”
But his mother said, “No, [his name will not be Zechariah]. His name will be John!”
61 Balo bantu balamukumbuleti, “Nomba kuliyawa ukute lina lyamushoboyo kubeshi kamukowa.”
[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 Lino balambila baishi ne makasa, ne kubepusheti, “Mulandanga tumutumbe lina cini?”
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 Popelapo Sakaliya walasebensesha makasa pakusenga cakulembelapo, ne kulembeti, “Lina lyakendi ni Yohane.” Bantu bonse balakankamana.
[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 Mpwalapwishowa kulemba Sakaliya walatatika kwamba, nekutatika kulumbaisha Lesa.
Immediately Zechariah was able to speak again [MTY], and he praised God.
65 Bantu bonse balatina abo balikuba bekala pepi nendiye. Neco lulumbi ulo lwalamwaika mucishi conse ca tulundu twa mu Yudeya.
All their neighbors were amazed/awestruck! They told other people who lived all over the highlands of Judea about what had happened.
66 Bonse abo balanyufwa mulumbe uyo bali kabayeya mumyoyo yabo kayi ne kulipusheti, “Uyu mwana nakabe wamushobo cini?” Pakwinga cilabonekelenga limo kwambeti ngofu sha Lesa shili pali endiye.
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 Lino Sakaliya baishi Yohane, walesushiwa ne ngofu sha Mushimu Uswepa nekutatika kwambeti,
[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 “Alumbaishiwe Mwami Lesa wa ba Islaeli, Pakwinga Lesa lanyamfwa bantu bakendi ne kubapulusha.
“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 Latupa mupulushi ukute ngofu, walafuma mulibunda lya Dafeti musebenshi wa Lesa.
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 Kwambeti nakatupulushe kufuma mumakasa abalwani betu, ne kuli abo bonse batupata.
He will rescue us from our enemies, and he will save us from the power of all those who hate us.
72 Walambeti, nakanyumfwile inkumbo bamashali betu bakeendi, kayi nteshi akalubeko cipangano cakendi caswepa.
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 Ncalalumbila kumushali wetu Abulahamu ne kumushomesheti,
That is what he strongly promised our ancestor Abraham that he would do.
74 nakatupulushe mumakasa abalwani betu, kwambeti tukamusebensele mwakubula buyowa,
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 Kayi tube baswepa nekuba balulama pamenso akendi, masuba onse abuyumi bwetu.
that he would cause us to be completely dedicated to him, and enable us to live righteously all of our lives.”
76 Lino mwana obe, nukakwiweti mushinshimi wa Lesa wa wangofu shonse, Pakwinga obe nukabe pantangu pa Mwami, akumubambila nshila.
[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 Nukenshibishe bantu bakendi kwambeti, nibakapulushiwe kayi nekulekelelwa bwipishi bwabo.
You will tell God’s people how he will forgive them and save them from being punished for their sins.
78 Mwami Lesa wetu ukute nkumbo nakatupe mumuni wa kwilu ulyeti kutubuluka kwa kumaca.
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 nukabe mumuni weti ukamunikile bantu bonse bekala mu mushinshe wa lufu, nekututangunina mulumuno.”
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 Usa mwana Yohani walakula nekushimpa mumushimu. Walekala mucinyika kushikila busuba mpwalabonekela patuba kubantu mu Isilaeli.
[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.
