Luka 1
1 Kwa kuwa watu wengi wamekaa ili kuandika habari za mambo yaliyotukia katikati yetu,
To his Excellency, Theophilus. Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion among us,
2 kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana,
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterwards became bearers of the Message.
3 mimi nami baada ya kuchunguza kila kitu kwa uangalifu kuanzia mwanzo, niliamua kukuandikia habari za mambo hayo, ewe mtukufu Theofilo,
And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you,
4 ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa.
in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.
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 reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.
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 people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by 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, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
8 Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu,
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his Division,
9 alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go 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.
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
12 Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
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; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall call by the name John.
14 Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
He shall be to you a joy and a delight; and many shall 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 shall be great in the sight of the Lord; he shall not drink any wine or strong drink, and he shall 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.
and shall reconcile many of the Israelites 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 shall go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, ‘to reconcile fathers to their children’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
18 Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.”
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man and my wife is 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,” the angel answered, “who stand in the presence of God, and I have been 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.”
And now you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.”
21 Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long 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 was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.
23 Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano.
After this his wife, Elizabeth, expecting to become a mother, lived in seclusion for five months.
25 Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.”
“This is what the Lord has done for me,” she said, “now that he has deigned to take away the reproach under which I have been living.”
26 Mwezi wa sita baada ya Elizabeti kupata mimba, Mungu alimtuma malaika Gabrieli aende Galilaya katika mji wa Nazareti,
Six months later 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 there who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
28 Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”
Gabriel came into her presence and said: “Hail, you who have been highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
29 Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?”
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
30 Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu.
when the angel spoke again: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu.
And now, you shall be with child and give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus.
32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu Sana. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi baba yake.
The child shall be great and shall be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David,
and he shall reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there shall be no end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamuuliza huyo malaika, “Maadamu mimi ni bikira, jambo hili litawezekanaje?”
“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For 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 Holy Spirit shall descend upon you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘Son of God.’
36 Tazama, jamaa yako Elizabeti amechukua mimba katika uzee wake, na huu ni mwezi wake wa sita, yeye aliyeitwa tasa.
And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren;
37 Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilowezekana.”
for no promise from God shall fail to be fulfilled.”
38 Maria akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.” Kisha malaika akaondoka, akamwacha.
“I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary; “let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi.
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
40 Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti.
and there she went into Zechariah’s house 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 child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
and cried aloud: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
43 Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
But how have I this honour, 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, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
45 Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.”
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46 Naye Maria akasema: “Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu,
my spirit delights in God my Saviour;
48 kwa kuwa ameangalia kwa fadhili unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Hakika tangu sasa vizazi vyote vitaniita aliyebarikiwa,
for he has remembered his servant in her lowliness; And from this hour all ages will count me happy!
49 kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu.
Great things has the Almighty done for me; And holy is his name.
50 Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.
From age to age his mercy rests On those who reverence him.
51 Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao.
Mighty are the deeds of his arm; He scatters the proud with their own devices,
52 Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu.
he casts down princes from their thrones, and the lowly he uplifts,
53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
the hungry he loads with gifts, and the rich he sends empty away.
54 Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu
He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, Ever mindful of his mercy
(As he promised to our forefathers) For Abraham and his race for ever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57 Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume.
When Elizabeth’s time came, 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 relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 Siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka yule mtoto aitwe Zekaria, ambalo ndilo jina la baba yake.
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him ‘Zechariah’ after his father,
60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.”
when his mother interposed: “No, he is to be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.”
“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
62 Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani.
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.”
Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words — ‘His name is John.’ Every one was surprised;
64 Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to 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.
All their neighbours were awe-struck at this; and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about;
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 heard it kept it in mind, asking one another — “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power of the Lord was with him.
67 Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema:
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
68 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa.
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
69 Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake,
and has raised up for us the Strength of our Salvation In the House of his servant David —
As he promised by the lips of his Holy Prophets of old — (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao:
Salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us,
72 ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu,
showing mercy to our forefathers, And mindful of his sacred Covenant.
73 kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu:
This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham —
74 kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu
That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote.
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence all our days.
76 “Nawe mtoto wangu, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana; kwa kuwa utamtangulia Bwana na kuandaa njia kwa ajili yake,
And thou, Child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way,
77 kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao,
to give his people the 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 mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven,
79 ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.”
to give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And 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 grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the Wilds till the time came for his appearance before Israel.
