Marko 4
1 Yesu akaanza kufundisha tena kando ya bahari. Umati wa watu uliokuwa umekusanyika kumzunguka ulikuwa mkubwa, kiasi kwamba ilimbidi Yesu aingie kwenye mashua iliyokuwa baharini na kuketi humo, nao watu wote walikuwa ufuoni mwa bahari.
Another time Jesus began to teach [people] alongside Lake [Galilee. As he was doing that, a very large crowd gathered around him. Because people were jostling him], he got into a boat in the lake [so that he could speak to the crowd better. Then he sat in it and began to teach the crowd from the boat]. At the same time, the crowd was on the shore close to the lake.
2 Akawafundisha mambo mengi kwa mifano, naye katika mafundisho yake akasema:
Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
3 “Sikilizeni! Mpanzi alitoka kwenda kupanda mbegu zake.
“Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
4 Alipokuwa akitawanya mbegu, nyingine zilianguka kando ya njia, nao ndege wakaja na kuzila.
As he was scattering them [over the soil], some [of the] seeds fell on the path. Then some birds came and ate those seeds.
5 Nyingine zilianguka kwenye ardhi yenye mwamba isiyo na udongo wa kutosha. Zikaota haraka, kwa kuwa udongo ulikuwa haba.
Other [seeds] fell on ground where there was not much soil [on top of] rock. Very soon the [seeds] sprouted because [the sun warmed] the moist soil quickly where it was not deep.
6 Lakini jua lilipozidi, mimea ikanyauka na kukauka kwa kuwa mizizi yake haikuwa na kina.
But after the sun shone [on those young plants], they became scorched. Then they withered because they did not have [deep] roots.
7 Mbegu nyingine zilianguka kwenye miiba, nayo miiba hiyo ikakua, ikaisonga hiyo mimea, hivyo haikutoa mazao.
As the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on [ground that contained roots of] thorny plants. [The] seeds [grew, but] the thorny plants also grew up and crowded out [the] good [plants. So the plants] produced no grain.
8 Mbegu nyingine zilianguka kwenye udongo mzuri, zikaota vizuri na kukua, zikatoa mazao, moja mara thelathini, nyingine mara sitini, na nyingine mara mia moja.”
But as the farmer sowed, other [seeds] fell on good soil. As a result, they sprouted, they grew well, and then they produced [plenty of] grain. [Some] plants bore 30 [grains]. [Some] bore 60 [grains]. [Some] bore 100 [grains].”
9 Kisha Yesu akasema, “Mwenye masikio ya kusikia, na asikie.”
Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider [carefully what I have just said].”
10 Alipokuwa peke yake, watu waliokuwepo naye pamoja na wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili wakamuuliza kuhusu mifano yake.
[Later], when only the twelve [disciples] and a few [other] people were with him, they asked him about the parables.
11 Naye akawaambia, “Ninyi mmepewa kujua siri ya Ufalme wa Mungu. Lakini kwa wale walioko nje, kila kitu husemwa kwao kwa mifano,
He said to them, “People have not understood before [the new message] about how God wants to rule people’s lives. It is to you that this is being made known {that I am making this known}. But I tell about this [only] (in parables/figuratively) to those who have not [yet invited God to rule their lives].
12 ili, “‘daima waone lakini wasitambue, daima wasikie lakini wasielewe; wasije wakageuka, wakatubu na kusamehewa!’”
As a result [it is true what a prophet has written], Although they see [what I do], they do not perceive [what it means] [DOU]. Although they hear [what I say], they do not understand [what it means] [DOU]. So they do not (repent/turn away from their sinful behavior) in order that they would be forgiven {[God] would forgive them}.”
13 Kisha Yesu akawauliza, “Hamwelewi maana ya mfano huu? Basi mtaelewaje mifano mingine?
He also said to them, “([I am disappointed that] you do not understand this illustration!/Can you not understand this illustration?) [RHQ] [If you do not understand] this, (you will certainly not understand any of the [other] illustrations!/how will you understand any of the [other] illustrations?) [RHQ] [Nevertheless, I will explain it to you].
14 Yule mpanzi hupanda neno.
[In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
15 Hawa ndio wale walio kando ya njia ambako neno lilipandwa. Walisikiapo neno, Shetani huja mara na kulinyakua lile neno lililopandwa ndani yao.
[Some people are like] the path on which [some of] the seeds fell. When they hear [the message], Satan comes at once and causes them to forget what they have heard.
16 Nazo zile mbegu zilizoanguka kwenye udongo wenye miamba, ni wale wanaolisikia neno, na mara hulipokea kwa furaha.
[Some people are like the ground where the soil was not very deep over] rock. When they hear [God’s] message, they immediately accept it with joy.
17 Lakini kwa kuwa hawana mizizi, wao hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu. Kisha dhiki au mateso yanapoinuka kwa ajili ya lile neno, mara wao huiacha imani.
But, because [the message does not penetrate deeply] [MET] [into their hearts/inner beings, they] believe it for [only a short time. They are like the plants that] did not have deep roots. When others treat such people badly or cause them to suffer because [they believe], those people [who are suffering] soon stop believing God’s message.
18 Lakini wengine, kama mbegu iliyopandwa kwenye miiba, hulisikia lile neno;
[Some people are like] the [soil that had roots of] thorny weeds in it. [Although] those people hear [God’s] message,
19 lakini masumbufu ya maisha haya, na udanganyifu wa mali na tamaa ya mambo mengine huja na kulisonga lile neno na kulifanya lisizae. (aiōn g165)
they desire to be rich, and they desire to own many other things. So they worry [only] about material things. The result is that they forget [God’s] message and they do not do [the things that God wants them to do]. (aiōn g165)
20 Wengine, kama mbegu iliyopandwa kwenye udongo mzuri, hulisikia lile neno, wakalipokea na kuzaa mazao. Wao huzaa mara thelathini, au mara sitini, au mara mia ya mbegu iliyopandwa.”
[But some people] are like the good soil. They hear [God’s] message and they accept it [and they believe] it. [Then they do the things that God wants them to do. They are like the good plants that produced] 30, 60 or 100 [grains].”
21 Akawaambia, “Je, taa huwashwa na kufunikwa chini ya kikapu au mvunguni mwa kitanda? Je, haiwashwi na kuwekwa juu ya kinara chake?
He also told them [another parable], saying, “(People certainly do not [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed./Would anyone [light] an oil lamp and then bring it [in the house] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} under a container or under a bed?) [RHQ] (No, [they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house].[/Wouldn’t they light it] in order that it may be put {someone may put it} in a place [where it lights the house]?) [RHQ]
22 Kwa kuwa hakuna kilichofichika ambacho hakitafunuliwa, wala hakuna jambo lolote la siri ambalo halitaletwa nuruni.
[Similarly], there are some [parts of God’s message] that people do not know. [But he intends that] people will understand all the things that they do not know [now].
23 Mwenye masikio ya kusikia, na asikie.”
If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
24 Naye akawaambia, “Kuweni waangalifu na yale mnayosikia. Kipimo kile mpimacho, ndicho mtakachopimiwa ninyi, hata na zaidi.
Then he said to them, “Consider carefully what you hear [me say to you], for [God] will let you [understand] to the same degree that you [consider what I say]. [He] will let you [understand] even more than that.
25 Kwa maana kila mtu aliye na kitu atapewa zaidi, naye atakuwa navyo tele. Lakini yule asiye na kitu, hata kile alicho nacho atanyangʼanywa.”
Those who [consider what I say] and understand it, [God] will enable them to understand more. But those who do not [consider carefully what I say], they will forget even what they already know.”
26 Pia akawaambia, “Ufalme wa Mungu unafanana na mtu apandaye mbegu shambani.
Jesus also said, “God [has the power to change] people who let him rule their lives. I [will illustrate how that can happen] [MET]. A man planted seeds in the ground.
27 Akiisha kuzipanda, usiku na mchana, akiwa amelala au ameamka, mbegu huota na kukua pasipo yeye kujua ikuavyo.
Afterwards he slept each night and rose each day [without worrying about the seeds]. [During that time] the seeds sprouted and grew in a way that he did not understand, because by itself the soil [caused the plants to grow and produce grain].
28 Udongo huifanya iote kuwa mche, halafu suke, kisha nafaka kamili kwenye suke.
First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
29 Lakini nafaka inapokuwa imekomaa, mara mkulima huingia shambani na mundu wa kuvunia, maana mavuno yamekuwa tayari.”
As soon as the grain was ripe he sent [people] [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest [the grain].”
30 Akawaambia tena, “Tuufananishe Ufalme wa Mungu na nini? Au tutumie mfano gani ili kuueleza?
[Jesus told them] another [parable. He] said, “I will tell you [RHQ] how the [number of people] whose lives God rules in a new way [will continue to grow] (OR, each continue to have more and more influence in this world). I hope [RHQ] that this illustration will show this [to you].
31 Ni kama punje ya haradali, ambayo ni mbegu ndogo sana kuliko mbegu zote zinazopandwa ardhini.
[You know what happens to] mustard seeds when we plant them. Though mustard seeds are among the smallest of seeds, [here in Israel] they become large plants.
32 Lakini ikishaota, hukua ikawa mmea mkubwa kuliko yote ya bustanini, ikawa na matawi makubwa hata ndege wa angani wanaweza kujenga viota kwenye matawi yake.”
After they are planted, they grow up and become larger than the other garden plants. They put out big branches so that birds are able to make nests in their shade.”
33 Kwa mifano mingine mingi kama hii Yesu alinena nao neno lake, kwa kadiri walivyoweza kulielewa.
Jesus used many such illustrations when he talked to the people about God. If they were able to understand [some, he kept telling them more].
34 Hakusema nao neno lolote pasipo mfano. Lakini alipokuwa na wanafunzi wake, aliwafafanulia kila kitu.
He always used parables when he spoke to them. But he explained all [the illustrations] to his own disciples when he was alone with them.
35 Siku hiyo ilipokaribia jioni, aliwaambia wanafunzi wake, “Tuvukeni twende mpaka ngʼambo.”
On that same day, when the sun was setting, Jesus said to [his disciples], “Let’s cross over to the opposite side of [Lake Galilee in the boat].”
36 Wakauacha ule umati wa watu, na wakamchukua vile alivyokuwa kwenye mashua. Palikuwa pia na mashua nyingine nyingi pamoja naye.
So they left the crowd, [got in] the boat where Jesus [already] was, and left. [Other people] went with them in other boats.
37 Kukawa na dhoruba kali, nayo mawimbi yakaipiga ile mashua hata ikawa karibu kujaa maji.
A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
38 Yesu alikuwa katika shetri, akiwa analala juu ya mto. Wanafunzi wake wakamwamsha, wakamwambia, “Mwalimu, hujali kama tunazama?”
Jesus was in the back part of the boat. He was sleeping, [with his head] on a cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! (You ought to be concerned that we are about to die!/Are you not concerned that we are about to die?) [RHQ]”
39 Akaamka, akaukemea ule upepo, akayaambia yale mawimbi, “Uwe kimya! Tulia!” Ule upepo ukatulia, kukawa shwari kabisa.
So Jesus got up and rebuked the wind. Then he said to the lake, “Be quiet! Be still! [DOU]” The wind [immediately] blowing and then [the lake] became very calm.
40 Yesu akawaambia wanafunzi wake, “Kwa nini mnaogopa hivyo? Je, bado hamna imani?”
He said to the disciples, “([I am disappointed that] you are afraid [like that]!/Why are you afraid [like that]?) [RHQ] Do you not yet believe [that I can protect you]?”
41 Nao wakawa wameogopa sana, wakaulizana, “Ni nani huyu ambaye hata upepo na mawimbi vinamtii?”
They were very awestruck. They said to one another, “[Not only do the demons obey this man, but] even the wind and the waves obey him! “(What kind of man is he?/This man is [not like ordinary] people!) [RHQ]”
