Luka 1
1 Kwa kuwa watu wengi wamekaa ili kuandika habari za mambo yaliyotukia katikati yetu,
Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the facts which are received with full assurance among us
2 kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana,
on the authority of those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and were devoted to the service of the divine Message,
3 mimi nami baada ya kuchunguza kila kitu kwa uangalifu kuanzia mwanzo, niliamua kukuandikia habari za mambo hayo, ewe mtukufu Theofilo,
it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account,
4 ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa.
that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have been taught by word of mouth.
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.
There was in the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, a priest of the name of Zechariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a wife who was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Zekaria na Elizabeti mkewe wote walikuwa watu wanyofu mbele za Mungu, wakizishika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yote bila lawama.
They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying all the Lord's precepts and ordinances.
7 Lakini walikuwa hawana watoto, kwa sababu Elizabeti alikuwa tasa; nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.
8 Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu,
Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the prescribed course of his class,
9 alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
it fell to his lot--according to the custom of the priesthood--to go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense;
10 Nao wakati wa kufukiza uvumba ulipowadia, wale wote waliokuwa wamekusanyika ili kuabudu walikuwa nje wakiomba.
and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the hour of incense.
11 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria.
Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense;
12 Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu.
and Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.
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 to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call his name John.
14 Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice over 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 sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth.
16 Naye atawageuza wengi wa wana wa Israeli warudi kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn 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 be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn fathers' hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly ready for the lord."
18 Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.”
"By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years."
19 Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu, nami nimetumwa kwako ili nikuambie habari hizi njema.
"I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God," answered the angel, "and I have been sent to talk with you and tell 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.”
And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words--words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time."
21 Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni.
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary.
22 Alipotoka akawa hawezi kusema nao, wao wakatambua kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Lakini kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawa anawaashiria kwa mikono.
When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb.
23 Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake.
When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home;
24 Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano.
and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months.
25 Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.”
"Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among 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 called 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 maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary.
28 Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”
So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! the Lord is with you."
29 Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?”
She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant.
30 Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu.
But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu.
You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name 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 He will be called 'Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David;
and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamuuliza huyo malaika, “Maadamu mimi ni bikira, jambo hili litawezekanaje?”
"How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?"
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.
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring will be called 'the Son of God.'
36 Tazama, jamaa yako Elizabeti amechukua mimba katika uzee wake, na huu ni mwezi wake wa sita, yeye aliyeitwa tasa.
And see, your relative Elizabeth--she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilowezekana.”
For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment."
38 Maria akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.” Kisha malaika akaondoka, akamwacha.
"I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her.
39 Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi.
Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah.
40 Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti.
Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth;
41 Naye Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Maria, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake akaruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu,
and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
and uttered a loud cry of joy. "Blest among women are you," she said, "and the offspring of your body is blest!
43 Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
But why is this honour done me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Mara tu niliposikia sauti ya salamu yako, mtoto aliyeko tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
For, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within me leapt for joy.
45 Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.”
And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her from the Lord shall be fulfilled."
46 Naye Maria akasema: “Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
Then Mary said: "My soul extols the Lord,
47 nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu,
And my spirit triumphs in God my Saviour;
48 kwa kuwa ameangalia kwa fadhili unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Hakika tangu sasa vizazi vyote vitaniita aliyebarikiwa,
Because He has not turned from His maidservant in her lowly position; For from this time forward all generations will account me happy,
49 kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu.
Because the mighty One has done great things for me--Holy is His name!--
50 Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those who fear Him.
51 Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao.
He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu.
He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate.
53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away.
54 Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu
His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion--
In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever." (aiōn g165)
56 Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake.
So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
57 Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume.
Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son;
58 Majirani zake na jamii zake wakasikia jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu, nao wakafurahi pamoja naye.
and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.
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 circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.
60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.”
His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John."
61 Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.”
"There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name."
62 Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani.
They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.
63 Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.”
So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.
64 Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless 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 all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad.
66 Kila aliyesikia habari hizi alishangaa akauliza, “Je, mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the lord's hand was indeed with him.
67 Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema:
And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise.
68 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa.
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,
69 Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake,
And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant--
As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets-- (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao:
To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us.
72 ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu,
He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant,
73 kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu:
The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,
74 kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu
To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear,
75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote.
In piety and uprightness 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 moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
77 kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao,
To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,
78 kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu, nuru itokayo juu itatuzukia
Through the tender compassion of our God, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us,
79 ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.”
Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct our feet into the path of peace."
80 Yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu katika roho; akaishi nyikani hadi siku ile alipojionyesha hadharani kwa Waisraeli.
And the child grew and became strong in character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.
