Luka 1
1 Wengi wamejitahidi kuweka katika mpangilio simulizi kuhusu masuala ambayo yametimizwa kati yetu,
Given that many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those things that really did take place among us,
2 kama walivyotupatia sisi, ambao tangu mwanzo ni mashahidi wa macho na watumishi wa ujumbe.
just as those who became eyewitnesses, from the beginning, and ministers of the Word delivered them to us,
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.
it seemed good to me also, most excellent Theophilus, having taken careful note of everything from Above, to write to you with precision and in sequence,
4 Ili kwamba uweze kujua ukweli wa mambo uliyofundishwa.
so that you may know the certainty of the things in which you were instructed.
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 days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Wote walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu; walitembea bila lawama katika amri zote na maagizo ya Bwana.
They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances 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 child, because Elizabeth was barren; and they both were well advanced in years.
8 Sasa ilitokea kwamba Zakaria alikuwa katika uwepo wa Mungu, akiendelea na wajibu wa kikuhani katika utaratibu wa zamu yake.
Now it happened, as he was officiating as priest before God in the order of his division,
9 Kulingana na desturi ya kuchagua ni kuhani yupi atakayehudumu, alikuwa amechaguliwa kwa kura kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana na hivyo angefukiza uvumba.
according to the custom of the priesthood, that his lot was to burn incense, upon entering the sanctuary of the Lord;
10 Kundi lote la watu lilikuwa likiomba nje wakati wa kufukizwa kwa ufumba.
and the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 Sasa malaika wa Bwana alimtokea na kasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense;
12 Zakaria alitishika alipomuona; hofu ikamwangukia.
and upon seeing him Zacharias was shaken, and a fear fell upon him.
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, Zacharias, because your prayer was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha na uchangamfu, na wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake.
And you will have joy and exultation, and many will rejoice over 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 must not drink either wine or strong drink; indeed, he will be filled with Holy Spirit already from his mother's womb.
16 Na watu wengi wa Israel watageuzwa kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
And he will turn many of the children of Israel 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.”
in fact he himself will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of fathers to children’ and the disobedient to the mindset of the righteous, to prepare a people made ready for the Lord.”
18 Zakaria akamwambia malaika, “Nitawezaje kujua hili? Kwasababu mimi ni mzee na mke wangu miaka yake imekuwa mingi sana.”
But 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 akajibu na kumwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, ambaye husimama mbele za Mungu. Nilitumwa kukwambia, kukuletea habari hii njema.
So in answer the angel said to him: “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; I was sent to speak to you and 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.”
Now look, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day in which these things happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 Sasa watu walikuwa wakimsubiri Zakaria. Walishangazwa kwamba alikuwa anatumia muda mwingi hekaluni.
Now the people were waiting for Zacharias and wondering at his delay in the sanctuary.
22 Lakini alipotoka nje, hakuweza kuongea nao. Wakatambua kwamba alikuwa amepata maono alipokuwa hekaluni. Aliendelea kuonesha ishara na alibaki kimya.
But when he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they understood that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary—he kept gesturing to them while remaining mute.
23 Ikatokea kwamba siku za huduma yake zilipokwisha aliondoka kurudi nyumbani kwake.
And so, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he took off for 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,
Well after those days his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and stayed in seclusion five months. She kept saying,
25 “Hili ndilo amabalo Bwana amefanya kwangu aliponitazama kwa upendeleo ili kuiondoa aibu yangu mbele za watu.”
“So that's what the Lord has done for me in the days when He concerned Himself to take away my reproach among the people!”
26 Sasa, katika mwezi wa sita wa mimba ya Elizabeti, Mungu alimwambia malaika Gabrieli kwenda kwenye mji wa Galilaya uitwao Nazareti,
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee named Natsareth,
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 betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; the virgin's name was Mary.
28 Akaja kwake na akasema, “Salaam, wewe uliyepokea neema kuu! Bwana amependezwa nawe.”
So upon entering where she was the angel said, “Rejoice, recipient of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 Lakini maneno ya malaika yalimchanganya na hakuelewa kwa nini malaika alisema salaam hii ya ajabu kwake.
But upon seeing him she was perplexed at his word and was trying to figure out what sort of greeting it might be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Mariamu, maana umepata neema kutoka kwa Mungu.
The angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found favor with God.
31 Na tazama, utabeba mimba katika tumbo lako na utazaa mwana. Nawe utamwita jina lake 'Yesu.'
Now then, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you shall call His 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 ‘Son of the Most High’; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
and He will reign over the house of Jacob into the ages; indeed, of His kingdom there will be no end!” (aiōn g165)
34 Mariamu akamwambia malaika, hili litatokea kwa namna gani, maana sijawahi kulala na mwanaume yeyote?
So Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I do not know a man?”
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.
In answer the angel said to her: “Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will hover over you; precisely for this reason the holy One who is to be born will be called ‘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.
Furthermore, your relative Elizabeth, she has actually conceived a son in her old age and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren;
37 Maana hakuna lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
because any word spoken by God will be possible.”
38 Mariamu akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa kike wa Bwana. Acha iwe hivyo kwangu sawa sawa na ujumbe wako.” Kisha malaika akamwacha.
So Mary said: “Yes, I am the Lord's slave! Let it happen to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
39 Ndipo katika siku hizo Mariamu aliondoka na kwa haraka alikwenda katika nchi ya vilima, kwenye mji katika nchi ya Yudea.
Then Mary quickly got ready and went into the hill country in those days, to a town of Judah,
40 Alikwenda nyumbani mwa Zekaria na akamsalimia Elizabeti.
and entered the house of Zacharias and saluted Elizabeth.
41 Sasa, ilitokea kwamba Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Mariamu, mtoto tumboni mwake akaruka, na Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu.
Well it happened that as Elizabeth heard Mary's salutation the babe bounced up and down in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit.
42 Akapaza sauti yake na kusema kwa sauti kuu, “umebarikiwa wewe zaidi miongoni mwa wanawake, na mtoto aliyemo tumboni mwako amebarikiwa.
And she cried out with a great voice and said: “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?
Why am I so favored 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.
Yes indeed, because as the sound of your salutation came into my ears the babe bounced up and down in my womb for joy.
45 Na amebarikiwe mwanamke yule ambaye aliamini ya kwamba ungetokea ukamilifu wa mambo yale aliyoambiwa kutoka kwa Bwana.”
Blessed is she who believed, because there will be a fulfillment of the things that have been spoken to her from the Lord.”
46 Mariamu akasema, nafsi yangu inamsifu Bwana,
So Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 na roho yangu imefurahi katika Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
and my spirit has exulted over God my Savior,
48 Kwa maana ameiangalia hali ya chini ya mtumishi wake wa kike. Tazama, tangu sasa katika vizazi vyote wataniita mbarikiwa.
in that He paid attention to the humble station of His slave (f). Yes indeed, because from now on all generations will declare me to be highly favored,
49 Kwa maana yeye aliyemweza amefanya mambo makubwa kwangu, na jina lake ni takatifu.
in that the Mighty One did sublime things for me, and Holy is His name.
50 Rehema yake inadumu toka kizazi hata kizazi kwa wale wanao mheshimu yeye.
His mercy is for generations of generations to those fearing Him.
51 Ameonesha nguvu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale ambao walijivuna juu ya mawazo ya mioyo yao.
He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has dispersed the arrogant in the reasoning 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 dethroned rulers and exalted the lowly.
53 Aliwashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
54 Ametoa msaada kwa Israeli mtumishi wake, ili kukumbuka kuonesha rehema
He has taken the part of His servant Israel, in remembrance of mercy,
just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed while there is an age.” (aiōn g165)
56 Mariamu alikaa na Elizabeti yapata miezi mitatu hivi ndipo akarudi nyumbani kwake.
So Mary stayed with her about three months, and returned to her house.
57 Sasa wakati ulikuwa umewadia kwa Elizabeti kujifungua mtoto wake na akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
Now the time for Elizabeth to give birth was completed and she bore 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 used His great mercy with her, 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,
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child, and they started calling him by the name of his father, Zacharias.
60 Lakini mama yake akajibu na kusema, “Hapana; ataitwa Yohana.”
His mother reacted and said, “Absolutely not; he shall be called John!”
61 Wakamwambia, hakuna hata mmoja katika ndugu zako anayeitwa kwa jina hili.”
So they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
62 Wakamfanyia ishara baba yake kuashiria yeye alitaka jina aitwe nani.
So they started motioning to his father, as to what he would have him called.
63 Baba yake akahitaji kibao cha kuandikia, na akaandika, “Jina lake ni Yohana.” Wote wakashangazwa na hili.
Asking for a writing tablet he wrote this: “His name is to be John!” They all marveled.
64 Ghafla mdomo wake ukafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukawa huru. Akaongea na kumsifu Mungu.
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed and he started to speak, blessing God.
65 Hofu ikawajia wote walioishi karibu nao. Mambo haya yakaenea katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Yudea.
(Well a fear came on all who lived around them; and all these sayings kept being talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 Na wote walioyasikia wakayatunza mioyoni mwao, wakisema, “Mtoto huyu kuwa wa namna gani?” Kwasababu mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
All who heard kept them in their hearts saying, “What then will this child be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.)
67 Baba yake Zekaria alijazwa na Roho Mtakatifu na akatoa unabii, akisema,
Now his father Zacharias was filled with Holy Spirit and prophesied saying:
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 provided redemption for His people;
69 Ametuinulia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya mtumishi wake Daudi, kutoka miongoi mwa mwa ukoo wa mtumishi wake Daudi,
and has raised up a horn of deliverance for us in the house of His servant David
—just as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from antiquity— (aiōn g165)
71 Atatuoka kutoka kwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
deliverance from our enemies and out of the hand of all who hate us;
72 Atafanya hivi kuonesha rehema kwa baba zetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu,
to use mercy with our fathers, even to remember His Holy covenant,
73 kiapo alichokisema kwa Abrahamu baba yetu.
the oath that He swore to our father Abraham;
74 Aliapa kuthibitha kwamba ingewezekana kumtumikia Yeye bila hofu, baada ya kuokolewa kutoka katika mikononi ya adui zetu.
to grant to us (having been rescued from the hand of our enemies) to 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 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 Prophet of the Most High, because you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 kuwafahamisha watu wake kwamba, wataokolewa kwa njia ya kusamehewa dhambi zao.
to give a knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Hili litatokea kwa sababu ya huruma ya Mungu wetu, sababu ambayo jua tokea juu litatujia,
through the merciful compassions of our God, with which the divine Dawn has contemplated us,
79 kuangaza kwao wakaao gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti. Atafanya hivi kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye njia ya amani.”
to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 Sasa, yule mtoto akakua na kuwa mwenye nguvu rohoni na alikaa nyikani mpaka siku ya kujitokeza kwake kwa Israeli.
So the child kept growing and being strengthened in spirit, and he stayed in uninhabited areas until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
