Luka 18
1 Kisha Yesu akawapa wanafunzi wake mfano ili kuwaonyesha kuwa yawapasa kuomba pasipo kukata tamaa.
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.
2 Akawaambia, “Katika mji mmoja alikuwepo hakimu ambaye hakumwogopa Mungu wala kumjali mtu.
"In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man.
3 Katika mji huo alikuwako mjane mmoja ambaye alikuwa akija kwake mara kwa mara akimwomba, ‘Tafadhali nipatie haki kati yangu na adui yangu.’
And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.'
4 “Kwa muda mrefu yule hakimu alikataa. Lakini hatimaye akasema moyoni mwake, ‘Ijapokuwa simwogopi Mungu wala simjali mwanadamu,
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
5 lakini kwa kuwa huyu mjane ananisumbuasumbua, nitahakikisha amepata haki yake ili asiendelee kunichosha kwa kunijia mara kwa mara!’”
yet because she annoys me I will give her justice, to prevent her from constantly coming to pester me.'"
6 Bwana akasema, “Sikilizeni asemavyo huyu hakimu dhalimu.
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.
7 Je, Mungu hatawatendea haki wateule wake wanaomlilia usiku na mchana? Je, atakawia kuwasaidia?
And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
8 Ninawaambia, atawapatia haki upesi. Lakini je, Mwana wa Adamu atakapokuja ataikuta imani duniani?”
Yes, He will soon avenge their wrongs. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
9 Yesu akatoa mfano huu kwa wale waliojiamini kuwa wao ni wenye haki na kuwadharau wengine:
And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable.
10 “Watu wawili walikwenda Hekaluni kusali, mmoja wao alikuwa Farisayo na mwingine alikuwa mtoza ushuru.
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
11 Yule Farisayo, akasimama, akasali hivi na kuomba kwake mwenyewe: ‘Mungu, nakushukuru kwa sababu mimi si kama watu wengine ambao ni wanyangʼanyi, wadhalimu, na wazinzi, wala kama huyu mtoza ushuru.
The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "'O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer.
12 Mimi nafunga mara mbili kwa juma, na natoa sehemu ya kumi ya mapato yangu.’
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.'
13 “Lakini yule mtoza ushuru akasimama mbali, wala hakuthubutu hata kuinua uso wake kutazama mbinguni, bali alijipigapiga kifuani na kusema: ‘Mungu, nihurumie, mimi mwenye dhambi.’
"But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.'
14 “Nawaambia, huyu mtoza ushuru alirudi nyumbani akiwa amehesabiwa haki mbele za Mungu zaidi ya yule Farisayo. Kwa maana yeyote ajikwezaye atashushwa, na yeyote ajishushaye atakwezwa.”
"I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."
15 Pia, watu walikuwa wakimletea Yesu watoto wachanga ili awaguse. Wanafunzi wake walipoona hivyo, wakawakemea.
On one occasion people also brought with them their infants, for Him to touch them; but the disciples, noticing this, proceeded to find fault with them.
16 Lakini Yesu akawaita wale watoto waje kwake, akasema, “Waacheni watoto wadogo waje kwangu, wala msiwazuie, kwa maana Ufalme wa Mungu ni wa wale walio kama hawa.
Jesus however called the infants to Him. "Let the little children come to me," He said; "do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
17 Amin, nawaambia, mtu yeyote asiyeupokea Ufalme wa Mungu kama mtoto mdogo, hatauingia kamwe.”
I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it."
18 Mtawala mmoja akamuuliza Yesu, “Mwalimu mwema, nifanye nini ili niurithi uzima wa milele?” (aiōnios g166)
The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" (aiōnios g166)
19 Yesu akamjibu, “Mbona unaniita mwema? Hakuna yeyote aliye mwema ila Mungu peke yake.
"Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.
20 Unazijua amri: ‘Usizini, usiue, usiibe, usishuhudie uongo, waheshimu baba yako na mama yako.’”
You know the Commandments: 'Do not commit adultery;' 'Do not murder;' 'Do not steal;' 'Do not lie in giving evidence;' 'Honour thy father and thy mother.'"
21 Akajibu, “Amri hizi zote nimezishika tangu nikiwa mtoto.”
"All of those," he replied, "I have kept from my youth."
22 Yesu aliposikia haya, akamwambia, “Bado kuna jambo moja ulilopungukiwa. Nenda ukauze kila kitu ulicho nacho, uwape maskini, nawe utakuwa na hazina mbinguni. Kisha njoo, unifuate.”
On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."
23 Aliposikia jambo hili, alisikitika sana kwa maana alikuwa mtu mwenye mali nyingi.
But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.
24 Yesu akamtazama, akasema, “Tazama jinsi ilivyo vigumu kwa tajiri kuingia katika Ufalme wa Mungu!
Jesus saw his sorrow, and said, "With how hard a struggle do the possessors of riches ever enter the Kingdom of God!
25 Hakika ni rahisi zaidi kwa ngamia kupita kwenye tundu la sindano kuliko mtu tajiri kuingia katika Ufalme wa Mungu.”
Why, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."
26 Wale waliosikia haya wakauliza, “Ni nani basi awezaye kuokoka?”
"Who then can be saved?" exclaimed the hearers.
27 Yesu akajibu, “Yasiyowezekana kwa wanadamu yanawezekana kwa Mungu.”
"Things impossible with man," He replied, "are possible with God."
28 Ndipo Petro akamjibu, “Tazama, tumeacha vyote tulivyokuwa navyo tukakufuata!”
Then Peter said, "See, we have given up our homes and have followed you."
29 Yesu akajibu, “Amin, nawaambia, hakuna hata mtu aliyeacha nyumba yake, au mke, au ndugu, au wazazi au watoto kwa ajili ya Ufalme wa Mungu
"I solemnly tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has left house or wife, or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of God's Kingdom,
31 Yesu akawachukua wale wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili kando na kuwaambia, “Tunapanda kwenda Yerusalemu, na kila kitu kilichoandikwa na manabii kumhusu Mwana wa Adamu kitatimizwa.
Then He drew the Twelve to Him and said, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written in the Prophets which refers to the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
32 Kwa kuwa atatiwa mikononi mwa watu wasiomjua Mungu, nao watamdhihaki, watamtukana na kumtemea mate, watampiga mijeledi na kumuua.
For He will be given up to the Gentiles, and be mocked, outraged and spit upon.
33 Naye siku ya tatu atafufuka.”
They will scourge Him and put Him to death, and on the third day He will rise to life again."
34 Wanafunzi wake hawakuelewa mambo haya, kwa kuwa maana yake ilikuwa imefichika kwao, nao hawakujua Yesu alikuwa anazungumzia nini.
Nothing of this did they understand. The words were a mystery to them, nor could they see what He meant.
35 Yesu alipokuwa anakaribia Yeriko, kipofu mmoja alikuwa ameketi kando ya njia akiomba msaada.
As Jesus came near to Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the way-side begging.
36 Kipofu huyo aliposikia umati wa watu ukipita, akauliza, “Kuna nini?”
He heard a crowd of people going past, and inquired what it all meant.
37 Wakamwambia, “Yesu wa Nazareti anapita.”
"Jesus the Nazarene is passing by," they told him.
38 Akapaza sauti, akasema, “Yesu, Mwana wa Daudi, nihurumie!”
Then, at the top of his voice, he cried out, "Jesus, son of David, take pity on me."
39 Wale waliokuwa wametangulia mbele wakamkemea, wakamwambia akae kimya. Lakini yeye akapaza sauti zaidi, “Mwana wa Daudi, nihurumie!”
Those in front reproved him and tried to silence him; but he continued shouting, louder than ever, "Son of David, take pity on me."
40 Yesu akasimama, akawaamuru wamlete huyo mtu kwake. Alipokaribia, Yesu akamuuliza,
At length Jesus stopped and desired them to bring the man to Him; and when he had come close to Him He asked him,
41 “Unataka nikufanyie nini?” Akajibu, “Bwana, nataka kuona.”
"What shall I do for you?" "Sir," he replied, "let me recover my sight."
42 Yesu akamwambia, “Basi upate kuona. Imani yako imekuponya.”
"Recover your sight," said Jesus: "your faith has cured you."
43 Akapata kuona saa ile ile, akamfuata Yesu, huku akimsifu Mungu. Watu wote walipoona mambo hayo, nao wakamsifu Mungu.
No sooner were the words spoken than the man regained his sight and followed Jesus, giving glory to God; and all the people, seeing it, gave praise to God.
