< Luka 1 >
1 Wengi wamejitahidi kuweka katika mpangilio simulizi kuhusu masuala ambayo yametimizwa kati yetu,
Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2 kama walivyotupatia sisi, ambao tangu mwanzo ni mashahidi wa macho na watumishi wa ujumbe.
just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 Hivyo nami pia, baada ya kuchuguza kwa uangalifu chanzo cha mambo haya yote tokea mwanzo - nimeona ni vema kwangu pia kukuandikia katika mpangilio wake - mheshimiwa sana Theofilo.
Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4 Ili kwamba uweze kujua ukweli wa mambo uliyofundishwa.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5 Katika siku za Herode, mfalme wa Yudea, palikuwa na kuhani fulani aliyeitwa Zekaria, wa ukoo wa Abiya. Mke wake alitoka kwa binti za Haruni, na jina lake aliitwa Elizabeti.
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron.
6 Wote walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu; walitembea bila lawama katika amri zote na maagizo ya Bwana.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 Lakini hawakuwa na mtoto, kwasababu Elizabethi alikuwa tasa, na kwa wakati huu wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 Sasa ilitokea kwamba Zakaria alikuwa katika uwepo wa Mungu, akiendelea na wajibu wa kikuhani katika utaratibu wa zamu yake.
One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 Kulingana na desturi ya kuchagua ni kuhani yupi atakayehudumu, alikuwa amechaguliwa kwa kura kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana na hivyo angefukiza uvumba.
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 Kundi lote la watu lilikuwa likiomba nje wakati wa kufukizwa kwa ufumba.
And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 Sasa malaika wa Bwana alimtokea na kasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia.
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zakaria alitishika alipomuona; hofu ikamwangukia.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Zakaria, kwasababu maombi yako yamesikika. Mke wako Elizabeth atakuzalia mwana. Jina lake utamwita Yohana.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha na uchangamfu, na wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele ya macho ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai au kinywaji kikali, na atakuwa amejazwa na Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake.
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
16 Na watu wengi wa Israel watageuzwa kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
17 Atakwenda mbele za uso wa Bwana katika roho na nguvu ya Eliya. Atafanya hivi ili kurejesha mioyo ya baba kwa watoto, ili kwamba wasiotii wataenenda katika hekima ya wenye haki. Atafanya hivi kuweka tayari kwa Bwana watu ambao wameandaliwa kwa ajili yake.”
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zakaria akamwambia malaika, “Nitawezaje kujua hili? Kwasababu mimi ni mzee na mke wangu miaka yake imekuwa mingi sana.”
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19 Malaika akajibu na kumwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, ambaye husimama mbele za Mungu. Nilitumwa kukwambia, kukuletea habari hii njema.
“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20 Na tazama, hutaongea, utakuwa kimya, hutaweza kuongea mpaka siku ile mambo haya yatakapotokea. Hii ni kwasababu ulishindwa kuamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati mwafaka.”
And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21 Sasa watu walikuwa wakimsubiri Zakaria. Walishangazwa kwamba alikuwa anatumia muda mwingi hekaluni.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 Lakini alipotoka nje, hakuweza kuongea nao. Wakatambua kwamba alikuwa amepata maono alipokuwa hekaluni. Aliendelea kuonesha ishara na alibaki kimya.
When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless.
23 Ikatokea kwamba siku za huduma yake zilipokwisha aliondoka kurudi nyumbani kwake.
And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 Baada ya Zakaria kurudi nyumbani kutoka kwenye huduma yake hekaluni, mke wake akawa mjamzito. Naye hakutoka nyumbani mwake kwa muda wa miezi mitano. Akasema,
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 “Hili ndilo amabalo Bwana amefanya kwangu aliponitazama kwa upendeleo ili kuiondoa aibu yangu mbele za watu.”
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
26 Sasa, katika mwezi wa sita wa mimba ya Elizabeti, Mungu alimwambia malaika Gabrieli kwenda kwenye mji wa Galilaya uitwao Nazareti,
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 kwa bikra aliyekuwa ameposwa na mwanaume ambaye jina lake lilikuwa Yusufu. Yeye alikuwa wa ukoo wa Daudi, na jina la bikra huyo lilikuwa Mariamu.
to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 Akaja kwake na akasema, “Salaam, wewe uliyepokea neema kuu! Bwana amependezwa nawe.”
The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Lakini maneno ya malaika yalimchanganya na hakuelewa kwa nini malaika alisema salaam hii ya ajabu kwake.
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Mariamu, maana umepata neema kutoka kwa Mungu.
So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Na tazama, utabeba mimba katika tumbo lako na utazaa mwana. Nawe utamwita jina lake 'Yesu.'
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 Atakuwa mkuu na 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,
33 Atatawala juu ya ukoo wa Yakobo milele na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho. (aiōn )
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” (aiōn )
34 Mariamu akamwambia malaika, hili litatokea kwa namna gani, maana sijawahi kulala na mwanaume yeyote?
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 Malaika akajibu na akamwambia, “Roho Mtakatifu atakujia juu yako, na nguvu ya Aliye Juu Sana itakuja juu yako. Kwa hiyo, mtakatifu atakayezaliwa ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu.
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Na tazama, ndugu yako Elizabeti anaujauzito wa mwana kwenye umri wake wa uzee. Huu ni mwezi wa sita kwake, ambaye alikuwa anaitwa mgumba.
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
37 Maana hakuna lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 Mariamu akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa kike wa Bwana. Acha iwe hivyo kwangu sawa sawa na ujumbe wako.” Kisha malaika akamwacha.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
39 Ndipo katika siku hizo Mariamu aliondoka na kwa haraka alikwenda katika nchi ya vilima, kwenye mji katika nchi ya Yudea.
In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 Alikwenda nyumbani mwa Zekaria na akamsalimia Elizabeti.
where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Sasa, ilitokea kwamba Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Mariamu, mtoto tumboni mwake akaruka, na 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 yake na kusema kwa sauti kuu, “umebarikiwa wewe zaidi miongoni mwa wanawake, na mtoto aliyemo tumboni mwako amebarikiwa.
In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Na imekuwaje kwangu kwamba, mama wa Bwana wangu ilipasa aje kwangu?
And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Kwa kuwa tazama, iliposikika masikoni mwangu sauti ya kusalimia kwako, mtoto tumboni mwangu akaruka kwa furaha.
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Na amebarikiwe mwanamke yule ambaye aliamini ya kwamba ungetokea ukamilifu wa mambo yale aliyoambiwa kutoka kwa Bwana.”
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
46 Mariamu akasema, nafsi yangu inamsifu Bwana,
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 na roho yangu imefurahi katika Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 Kwa maana ameiangalia hali ya chini ya mtumishi wake wa kike. Tazama, tangu sasa katika vizazi vyote wataniita mbarikiwa.
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 Kwa maana yeye aliyemweza amefanya mambo makubwa kwangu, na jina lake ni takatifu.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 Rehema yake inadumu toka kizazi hata kizazi kwa wale wanao mheshimu yeye.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 Ameonesha nguvu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale ambao walijivuna juu ya mawazo ya mioyo yao.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 Amewashusha chini wana wa wafalme toka katika viti vyao vya enzi na kuwainua juu walio na hali ya chini.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 Aliwashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 Ametoa msaada kwa Israeli mtumishi wake, ili kukumbuka kuonesha rehema
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 (kama alivyosema kwa baba zetu) kwa Abrahamu na uzao wake milele.” (aiōn )
as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (aiōn )
56 Mariamu alikaa na Elizabeti yapata miezi mitatu hivi ndipo akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57 Sasa wakati ulikuwa umewadia kwa Elizabeti kujifungua mtoto wake na akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 Jirani zake na ndugu zake walisikia jinsi Bwana alivyoikuza rehema kwake, na wakafurahi pamoja naye.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Sasa ilitokea siku ya nane kwamnba walikuja kumtahiri mtoto. Ingewapasa kumwita jina lake, “Zekaria,” kwa kuzingatia jina la baba yake,
On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60 Lakini mama yake akajibu na kusema, “Hapana; ataitwa Yohana.”
But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, hakuna hata mmoja katika ndugu zako anayeitwa kwa jina hili.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 Wakamfanyia ishara baba yake kuashiria yeye alitaka jina aitwe nani.
So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 Baba yake akahitaji kibao cha kuandikia, na akaandika, “Jina lake ni Yohana.” Wote wakashangazwa na hili.
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 Ghafla mdomo wake ukafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukawa huru. Akaongea na kumsifu Mungu.
Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 Hofu ikawajia wote walioishi karibu nao. Mambo haya yakaenea katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Yudea.
All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 Na wote walioyasikia wakayatunza mioyoni mwao, wakisema, “Mtoto huyu kuwa wa namna gani?” Kwasababu mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
67 Baba yake Zekaria alijazwa na Roho Mtakatifu na akatoa unabii, akisema,
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Asifiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa sababu amesaidia na alishughulikia wokovu kwa watu wake.
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 Ametuinulia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya mtumishi wake Daudi, kutoka miongoi mwa mwa ukoo wa mtumishi wake Daudi,
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 kama alivyosema kwa kinywa cha manabii wake waliokuweko katika nyakati za kale. (aiōn )
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, (aiōn )
71 Atatuoka kutoka kwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 Atafanya hivi kuonesha rehema kwa baba zetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu,
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 kiapo alichokisema kwa Abrahamu baba yetu.
the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 Aliapa kuthibitha kwamba ingewezekana kumtumikia Yeye bila hofu, baada ya kuokolewa kutoka katika mikononi ya adui zetu.
deliverance from hostile hands, that we may 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 lives.
76 Ndiyo, na wewe mtoto, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana, kwa kuwa utaenenda mbele za uso wa Bwana ili kumwandalia njia, kuwaandaa watu kwa ajili ya ujio wake,
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
77 kuwafahamisha watu wake kwamba, wataokolewa kwa njia ya kusamehewa dhambi zao.
to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Hili litatokea kwa sababu ya huruma ya Mungu wetu, sababu ambayo jua tokea juu litatujia,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 kuangaza kwao wakaao gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti. Atafanya hivi kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye njia ya amani.”
to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80 Sasa, yule mtoto akakua na kuwa mwenye nguvu rohoni na alikaa nyikani mpaka siku ya kujitokeza kwake kwa Israeli.
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.