Luka 2
1 Siku zile Kaisari Augusto alitoa amri kwamba watu wote waandikishwe katika ulimwengu wa Kirumi.
About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole Empire.
2 (Orodha hii ndiyo ya kwanza iliyofanyika wakati Krenio alikuwa mtawala wa Shamu).
(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).
3 Kila mtu alikwenda kuandikishwa katika mji wake alikozaliwa.
And everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 Hivyo Yosefu akapanda kutoka mji wa Nazareti ulioko Galilaya kwenda Uyahudi, mpaka Bethlehemu, mji wa Daudi, kwa sababu yeye alikuwa wa ukoo na wa nyumba ya Daudi.
Among others Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judea – because he belonged to the family and house of David –
5 Alikwenda huko kujiandikisha pamoja na Maria, ambaye alikuwa amemposa naye alikuwa mjamzito.
to be registered with Mary, his engaged wife, who was about to become a mother.
6 Wakiwa Bethlehemu, wakati wa Maria wa kujifungua ukawa umetimia,
While they were there her time came,
7 naye akamzaa mwanawe, kifungua mimba. Akamfunika nguo za kitoto na kumlaza katika hori ya kulia ngʼombe, kwa sababu hapakuwa na nafasi katika nyumba ya wageni.
and she gave birth to her first child, a son. And because there was no room for them in the inn, she swathed him around and laid him in a manger.
8 Katika eneo lile walikuwako wachungaji waliokuwa wakikaa mashambani, wakilinda makundi yao ya kondoo usiku.
In that same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night,
9 Ghafula tazama, malaika wa Bwana akawatokea, nao utukufu wa Bwana ukawangʼaria kotekote, wakaingiwa na hofu.
when an angel of the Lord suddenly stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were seized with fear.
10 Lakini malaika akawaambia: “Msiogope. Kwa maana tazama nawaletea habari njema za furaha itakayokuwa kwa watu wote.
“Have no fear,” the angel said. “For I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation.
11 Leo katika mji wa Daudi kwa ajili yenu amezaliwa Mwokozi, ndiye Kristo Bwana.
This day there has been born to you, in the town of David, a Savior, who is Christ and Lord.
12 Hii ndiyo itakayokuwa ishara kwenu: Mtamkuta mtoto mchanga amefunikwa nguo za kitoto na kulazwa katika hori ya kulia ngʼombe.”
And this will be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed, and lying in a manger.”
13 Ghafula pakawa na jeshi kubwa la mbinguni pamoja na huyo malaika wakimsifu Mungu wakisema,
Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing –
14 “Atukuzwe Mungu juu mbinguni, na duniani iwe amani kwa watu aliowaridhia.”
“glory to God on high, and on earth peace among those in whom he finds pleasure.”
15 Hao malaika walipokwisha kuondoka na kwenda zao mbinguni, wale wachungaji wakasemezana wao kwa wao, “Twendeni Bethlehemu tukaone mambo haya ya ajabu yaliyotukia, ambayo Bwana ametuambia habari zake.”
Now, when the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go at once to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, of which the Lord has told us.”
16 Hivyo wakaenda haraka Bethlehemu, wakawakuta Maria na Yosefu na yule mtoto mchanga akiwa amelala katika hori la kulia ngʼombe.
So they went quickly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger;
17 Walipomwona yule mtoto, wakawaeleza yale waliyokuwa wameambiwa kuhusu huyo mtoto.
and, when they saw it, they told of all that had been said to them about this child.
18 Nao wote waliosikia habari hizi wakastaajabia yale waliyoambiwa na wale wachungaji wa kondoo.
All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story,
19 Lakini Maria akayaweka mambo haya yote moyoni mwake na kuyatafakari.
while Mary treasured in her heart all that they said, and thought about it often.
20 Wale wachungaji wakarudi, huku wakimtukuza Mungu na kumsifu kwa ajili ya mambo yote waliyokuwa wameambiwa na kuyaona.
And the shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen. It had all happened as they had been told.
21 Hata zilipotimia siku nane, ulikuwa ndio wakati wa kumtahiri mtoto, akaitwa Yesu, jina alilokuwa amepewa na malaika kabla hajatungwa mimba.
Eight days after the birth of the child, when it was time to circumcise him, he received the name Jesus – the name given him by the angel before his conception.
22 Ulipotimia wakati wa utakaso wake Maria kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mose, basi Yosefu na Maria walimpeleka mtoto Yerusalemu, ili kumweka wakfu kwa Bwana
When the period of purification of mother and child, required by the Law of Moses, came to an end, his parents took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
23 (kama ilivyoandikwa katika Sheria ya Bwana, kwamba, “Kila mtoto wa kiume kifungua mimba atawekwa wakfu kwa Bwana”),
in compliance with the Law of the Lord that every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord,
24 na pia kutoa dhabihu kulingana na yale yaliyonenwa katika Sheria ya Bwana: “Hua wawili au makinda mawili ya njiwa.”
and also to offer the sacrifice required by the Law of the Lord – a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
25 Basi alikuwako huko Yerusalemu mtu mmoja jina lake Simeoni, ambaye alikuwa mwenye haki na mcha Mungu, akitarajia faraja ya Israeli, na Roho Mtakatifu alikuwa juu yake.
There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of Israel’s consulation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
26 Roho Mtakatifu alikuwa amemfunulia kuwa hatakufa kabla hajamwona Kristo wa Bwana.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 Simeoni, akiwa ameongozwa na Roho Mtakatifu, alikwenda Hekaluni. Wazazi walipomleta mtoto Yesu ili kumfanyia kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya Sheria,
Moved by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple Courts, and, when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the Law,
28 ndipo Simeoni akampokea mtoto mikononi mwake na kumsifu Mungu, akisema:
Simeon himself took the child in his arms, and blessed God, and said:
29 “Bwana Mwenyezi, kama ulivyoahidi, sasa wamruhusu mtumishi wako aende zake kwa amani.
“Now, Lord, you will let your servant go, according to your word, in peace,
30 Kwa maana macho yangu yameuona wokovu wako,
for my eyes have seen the salvation
31 ulioweka tayari machoni pa watu wote,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations –
32 nuru kwa ajili ya ufunuo kwa watu wa Mataifa na kwa ajili ya utukufu kwa watu wako Israeli.”
a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Naye Yosefu na mama yake mtoto wakastaajabu kwa yale yaliyokuwa yamesemwa kumhusu huyo mtoto.
While the child’s father and mother were wondering at what was said about him,
34 Kisha Simeoni akawabariki, akamwambia Maria mama yake, “Mtoto huyu amewekwa kwa makusudi ya kuanguka na kuinuka kwa wengi katika Israeli. Atakuwa ishara ambayo watu watanena dhidi yake,
Simeon gave them his blessing, and said to Mary, the child’s mother, “This child is appointed to be the cause of the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign much spoken against –
35 ili mawazo ya mioyo mingi yadhihirike. Nao upanga utauchoma moyo wako.”
Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart – and so the thoughts in many minds will be disclosed.”
36 Tena alikuwako Hekaluni nabii mmoja mwanamke, jina lake Ana binti Fanueli, wa kabila la Asheri. Alikuwa mzee sana; naye alikuwa ameolewa na kuishi na mume kwa miaka saba tu, kisha mumewe akafa.
There was also a prophet named Hannah, a daughter of Phanuel and of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after marriage,
37 Hivyo alikuwa mjane na umri wake ulikuwa miaka themanini na minne. Yeye hakuondoka humo Hekaluni usiku wala mchana, bali alikuwa akimwabudu Mungu, akifunga na kuomba.
and then a widow, until she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple Courts, but, fasting and praying, worshiped God night and day.
38 Wakati huo huo, Ana alikuja akaanza kusifu, akimshukuru Mungu na kusema habari za huyo mtoto kwa watu wote waliokuwa wakitarajia ukombozi wa Yerusalemu.
At that moment she came up, and began publicly to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the deliverance of Jerusalem.
39 Yosefu na Maria walipokuwa wamekamilisha mambo yote yaliyotakiwa na Sheria ya Bwana, walirudi mjini kwao Nazareti huko Galilaya.
When the child’s parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40 Naye yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu, akiwa amejaa hekima, na neema ya Mungu ilikuwa juu yake.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was on him.
41 Kila mwaka Yosefu na Maria mama yake Yesu walikuwa na desturi ya kwenda Yerusalemu kwa ajili ya Sikukuu ya Pasaka.
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival.
42 Yesu alipokuwa na umri wa miaka kumi na miwili, walipanda kwenda kwenye Sikukuu hiyo kama ilivyokuwa desturi.
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem,
43 Baada ya Sikukuu kumalizika, wakati Yosefu na Maria mama yake walipokuwa wakirudi nyumbani, Yesu alibaki Yerusalemu lakini hawakutambua.
and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it.
44 Wao wakidhani kuwa yuko miongoni mwa wasafiri, walienda mwendo wa kutwa nzima. Ndipo wakaanza kumtafuta miongoni mwa jamaa zao na marafiki.
Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances;
45 Walipomkosa walirudi Yerusalemu ili kumtafuta.
and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him.
46 Baada ya siku tatu wakamkuta ndani ya Hekalu, akiwa ameketi katikati ya walimu wa sheria, akiwasikiliza na kuwauliza maswali.
It was not until the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions.
47 Wote waliomsikia walistaajabishwa na uwezo wake mkubwa wa kuelewa, na majibu aliyoyatoa.
All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers.
48 Yosefu na Maria mama yake walipomwona walishangaa. Mama yake akamuuliza, “Mwanangu, mbona umetufanyia hivi? Tazama, mimi na baba yako tumekuwa tukikutafuta kwa wasiwasi mkubwa kila mahali.”
His parents were amazed when they saw him, and his mother said to him, “My child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
49 Yesu akawaambia, “Kwa nini kunitafuta? Hamkujua kwamba imenipasa kuwa katika nyumba ya Baba yangu?”
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 Lakini wao hawakuelewa maana ya lile alilowaambia.
His parents did not understand what he meant.
51 Ndipo akashuka pamoja nao hadi Nazareti, naye alikuwa mtiifu kwao. Lakini mama yake akayaweka moyoni mwake mambo haya yote.
However he went down with them to Nazareth, and submitted himself to their control; and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart.
52 Naye Yesu akakua katika hekima na kimo, akimpendeza Mungu na wanadamu.
And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and people.
