Luka 1
1 Kwa kuwa watu wengi wamekaa ili kuandika habari za mambo yaliyotukia katikati yetu,
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
2 kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana,
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
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 also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
4 ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa.
that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
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 days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters 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 righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
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 they both were well advanced in years.
8 Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu,
Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division
9 alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 Nao wakati wa kufukiza uvumba ulipowadia, wale wote waliokuwa wamekusanyika ili kuabudu walikuwa nje wakiomba.
The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu.
Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon 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 to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice 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 sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
16 Naye atawageuza wengi wa wana wa Israeli warudi kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
He will turn many of the children of Israel 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.”
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.”
Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu, nami nimetumwa kwako ili nikuambie habari hizi njema.
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring 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.”
Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni.
The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
22 Alipotoka akawa hawezi kusema nao, wao wakatambua kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Lakini kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawa anawaashiria kwa mikono.
When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
23 Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake.
When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
24 Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano.
After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
25 Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.”
“Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take 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 city of 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 pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28 Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”
Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”
29 Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?”
But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
30 Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘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 called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for the ages (aiōn g165). There will be no end to his Kingdom."
34 Maria akamuuliza huyo malaika, “Maadamu mimi ni bikira, jambo hili litawezekanaje?”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
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 her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you 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.
Behold, Elizabeth your relative 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 nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
38 Maria akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.” Kisha malaika akaondoka, akamwacha.
Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
39 Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi.
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti.
and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Naye Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Maria, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake akaruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu,
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
Why am I so favored, 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 behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
45 Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.”
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
46 Naye Maria akasema: “Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu,
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 kwa kuwa ameangalia kwa fadhili unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Hakika tangu sasa vizazi vyote vitaniita aliyebarikiwa,
for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
49 kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
50 Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
51 Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao.
He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu.
He has put down princes from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
54 Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring for the age (aiōn g165)."
56 Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
57 Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume.
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son.
58 Majirani zake na jamii zake wakasikia jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu, nao wakafurahi pamoja naye.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka yule mtoto aitwe Zekaria, ambalo ndilo jina la baba yake.
On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.”
His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
62 Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani.
They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.”
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.
64 Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing 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.
Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
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 them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema:
His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa.
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people;
69 Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake,
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from the age (aiōn g165)),
71 kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao:
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu,
to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
73 kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu:
the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
74 kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu
to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote.
in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
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 called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
78 kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu, nuru itokayo juu itatuzukia
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
79 ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.”
to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 Yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu katika roho; akaishi nyikani hadi siku ile alipojionyesha hadharani kwa Waisraeli.
The child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
