Luka 1
1 Kwa kuwa watu wengi wamekaa ili kuandika habari za mambo yaliyotukia katikati yetu,
As a number of attempts have been made to put together in order an account of those events which took place among us,
2 kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana,
As they were handed down to us by those who saw them from the first and were preachers of the word,
3 mimi nami baada ya kuchunguza kila kitu kwa uangalifu kuanzia mwanzo, niliamua kukuandikia habari za mambo hayo, ewe mtukufu Theofilo,
It seemed good to me, having made observation, with great care, of the direction of events in their order, to put the facts in writing for you, most noble Theophilus;
4 ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa.
So that you might have certain knowledge of those things about which you were given teaching.
5 Wakati wa Herode mfalme wa Uyahudi, palikuwa na kuhani mmoja jina lake Zekaria, ambaye alikuwa wa ukoo wa kikuhani wa Abiya. Elizabeti mkewe alikuwa pia mzao wa Aroni.
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, there was a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the order of Abijah; and he had a wife of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 Zekaria na Elizabeti mkewe wote walikuwa watu wanyofu mbele za Mungu, wakizishika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yote bila lawama.
They were upright in the eyes of God, keeping all the rules and orders of God, and doing no wrong.
7 Lakini walikuwa hawana watoto, kwa sababu Elizabeti alikuwa tasa; nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
And they were without children, because Elisabeth had never given birth, and they were at that time very old.
8 Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu,
Now it came about that in his turn he was acting as priest before God,
9 alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
And as was the way of the priests, he had to go into the Temple to see to the burning of perfumes.
10 Nao wakati wa kufukiza uvumba ulipowadia, wale wote waliokuwa wamekusanyika ili kuabudu walikuwa nje wakiomba.
And all the people were offering prayers outside, at the time of the burning of perfumes.
11 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria.
And he saw an angel of the Lord in his place on the right side of the altar.
12 Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu.
And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear came on him.
13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Zekaria, kwa maana Mungu amesikia maombi yako. Mkeo Elizabeti atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utamwita jina lake Yohana.
But the angel said, Have no fear, Zacharias, for your prayer has come to the ears of God, and your wife Elisabeth will have a son, and his name will be John.
14 Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
And you will be glad and have great delight; and numbers of people will have joy at his birth.
15 Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana, kamwe hataonja mvinyo wala kinywaji chochote cha kulevya, naye atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata kabla ya kuzaliwa kwake.
For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord; he will not take wine or strong drink; and he will be full of the Spirit of God from his birth.
16 Naye atawageuza wengi wa wana wa Israeli warudi kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
And through him great numbers of the children of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God.
17 Naye atatangulia mbele za Bwana katika roho na nguvu ya Eliya, ili kuigeuza mioyo ya baba kuwaelekea watoto wao, na wasiotii warejee katika hekima ya wenye haki, ili kuliweka tayari taifa lililoandaliwa kwa ajili ya Bwana.”
And he will go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to their children, and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness; to make ready a people whose hearts have been turned to the Lord.
18 Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.”
And Zacharias said to the angel, How may I be certain of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far on in years.
19 Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu, nami nimetumwa kwako ili nikuambie habari hizi njema.
And the angel, answering, said, I am Gabriel, whose place is before God; I have been sent to say these words to you and to give you this good news.
20 Basi sasa kwa kuwa hujaamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati wake, utakuwa bubu hadi siku ile mambo haya yatakapotukia.”
Now, see, you will be without voice or language till the day when these things come about, because you had not faith in my words, which will have effect at the right time.
21 Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni.
And the people were waiting for Zacharias and were surprised because he was in the Temple for such a long time.
22 Alipotoka akawa hawezi kusema nao, wao wakatambua kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Lakini kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawa anawaashiria kwa mikono.
And when he came out he was not able to say anything, and they saw that he had seen a vision in the Temple; and he was making signs to them without words.
23 Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And when the days of his work in the Temple were ended, he went back to his house.
24 Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano.
After that time, Elisabeth, being certain that she was to become a mother, kept herself from men's eyes for five months, saying,
25 Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.”
The Lord has done this to me, for his eyes were on me, to take away my shame in the eyes of men.
26 Mwezi wa sita baada ya Elizabeti kupata mimba, Mungu alimtuma malaika Gabrieli aende Galilaya katika mji wa Nazareti,
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 kwa mwanamwali bikira aliyekuwa ameposwa na mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu wa nyumba ya Daudi. Jina la huyu mwanamwali bikira ni Maria.
To a virgin who was to be married to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary.
28 Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”
And the angel came in to her and said, Peace be with you, to whom special grace has been given; the Lord is with you.
29 Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?”
But she was greatly troubled at his words, and said to herself, What may be the purpose of these words?
30 Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu.
And the angel said to her, Have no fear, Mary, for you have God's approval.
31 Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu.
And see, you will give birth to a son, and his name will be Jesus.
32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu Sana. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi baba yake.
He will be great, and will be named the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his father:
He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamuuliza huyo malaika, “Maadamu mimi ni bikira, jambo hili litawezekanaje?”
And Mary said to the angel, How may this be, because I have had no knowledge of a man?
35 Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu atakujilia juu yako, nazo nguvu zake Yeye Aliye Juu Sana zitakufunika kama kivuli. Kwa hiyo mtoto atakayezaliwa atakuwa mtakatifu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu.
And the angel in answer said to her, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will come to rest on you, and so that which will come to birth will be named holy, Son of God.
36 Tazama, jamaa yako Elizabeti amechukua mimba katika uzee wake, na huu ni mwezi wake wa sita, yeye aliyeitwa tasa.
Even now Elisabeth, who is of your family, is to be a mother, though she is old: and this is the sixth month with her who was without children.
37 Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilowezekana.”
For there is nothing which God is not able to do.
38 Maria akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.” Kisha malaika akaondoka, akamwacha.
And Mary said: I am the servant of the Lord; may it be to me as you say. And the angel went away.
39 Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi.
Then Mary got up and went quickly into the high lands, to a town of Judah;
40 Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti.
And went into the house of Zacharias and took Elisabeth in her arms.
41 Naye Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Maria, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake akaruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu,
And when the voice of Mary came to the ears of Elisabeth, the baby made a sudden move inside her; then Elisabeth was full of the Holy Spirit,
42 akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
And she said with a loud voice: May blessing be on you among women, and a blessing on the child of your body.
43 Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
44 Mara tu niliposikia sauti ya salamu yako, mtoto aliyeko tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
For, truly, when the sound of your voice came to my ears, the baby in my body made a sudden move for joy.
45 Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.”
Happy will she be who had faith that the things which the Lord has said to her will be done.
46 Naye Maria akasema: “Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
And Mary said: My soul gives glory to God;
47 nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu,
My spirit is glad in God my Saviour.
48 kwa kuwa ameangalia kwa fadhili unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Hakika tangu sasa vizazi vyote vitaniita aliyebarikiwa,
For he has had pity on his servant, though she is poor and lowly placed: and from this hour will all generations give witness to the blessing which has come to me.
49 kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu.
For he who is strong has done great things for me; and holy is his name.
50 Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
His mercy is for all generations in whom is the fear of him.
51 Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao.
With his arm he has done acts of power; he has put to flight those who have pride in their hearts.
52 Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu.
He has put down kings from their seats, lifting up on high the men of low degree.
53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
Those who had no food he made full of good things; the men of wealth he sent away with nothing in their hands;
54 Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu
His help he has given to Israel, his servant, so that he might keep in mind his mercy to Abraham and his seed for ever,
As he gave his word to our fathers. (aiōn g165)
56 Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And Mary was with her for about three months and then went back to her house.
57 Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume.
Now it was time for Elisabeth to give birth, and she had a son.
58 Majirani zake na jamii zake wakasikia jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu, nao wakafurahi pamoja naye.
And it came to the ears of her neighbours and relations that the Lord had been very good to her, and they took part in her joy.
59 Siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka yule mtoto aitwe Zekaria, ambalo ndilo jina la baba yake.
And on the eighth day they came to see to the circumcision of the child, and they would have given him the name of Zacharias, his father's name;
60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.”
But his mother made answer and said, No, his name is John.
61 Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.”
And they said, Not one of your relations has that name.
62 Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani.
And they made signs to his father, to say what name was to be given to him.
63 Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.”
And he sent for writing materials and put down: His name is John; and they were all surprised.
64 Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
And straight away his mouth was open and his tongue was free and he gave praise to God.
65 Majirani wote wakajawa na hofu ya Mungu, na katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Uyahudi watu walikuwa wakinena juu ya mambo haya yote.
And fear came on all those who were living round about them: and there was much talk about all these things in all the hill-country of Judaea.
66 Kila aliyesikia habari hizi alishangaa akauliza, “Je, mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
And all who had word of them kept them in their minds and said, What will this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema:
And his father, Zacharias, was full of the Holy Spirit, and with the voice of a prophet said these words:
68 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and made them free,
69 Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake,
Lifting up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
(As he said, by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the earliest times, ) (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao:
Salvation from those who are against us, and from the hands of those who have hate for us;
72 ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu,
To do acts of mercy to our fathers and to keep in mind his holy word,
73 kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu:
The oath which he made to Abraham, our father,
74 kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu
That we, being made free from the fear of those who are against us, might give him worship,
75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote.
In righteousness and holy living before him all our days.
76 “Nawe mtoto wangu, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana; kwa kuwa utamtangulia Bwana na kuandaa njia kwa ajili yake,
And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord, to make ready his ways;
77 kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao,
To give knowledge of salvation to his people, through the forgiveness of sins,
78 kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu, nuru itokayo juu itatuzukia
Because of the loving mercies of our God, by which the dawn from heaven has come to us,
79 ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.”
To give light to those in dark places, and in the shade of death, so that our feet may be guided into the way of peace.
80 Yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu katika roho; akaishi nyikani hadi siku ile alipojionyesha hadharani kwa Waisraeli.
And the child became tall, and strong in spirit; and he was living in the waste land till the day when he came before the eyes of Israel.
