Marko 4
1 Tena alianza kufundisha kandokando ya bahari. Na umati mkubwa ulikusanyika ukamzunguka, akaingia ndani ya mtumbwi baharini, na kukaa. Umati wote walikuwa pembeni mwa bahari ufukweni.
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 Na akawafundisha mambo mengi kwa mifano, na akasema kwao kwa mafundisho yake.
Then he taught them many parables. While he was teaching them, he told them [this]:
3 Sikilizeni, mpanzi alienda kupanda.
“Consider [well the meaning of this illustration]: A man/farmer went out [to his field] to sow [some seeds].
4 Alipokuwa akipanda, baadhi ya mbegu zilianguka njiani, na ndege wakaja wakazila.
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 Mbegu zingine zilianguka kwenye mwamba, ambako hapakuwa na udongo mwingi. Mara zikanyauka, kwa sababu hazikuwa na udongo wakutosha.
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 lilipochomoza, zilinyauka, na kwa sababu hazikuwa na mzizi, zilikauka.
But after the sun shone [on those young plants], they became scorched. Then they withered because they did not have [deep] roots.
7 Mbegu ziingine zilianguka katikati ya miiba. Miiba ilikua na ikazisonga, na hazikuzaa matunda yeyote.
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 zingine zilianguka kwenye udongo mzuri na zikazaa matunda wakati zikikua na kuongezeka, zingine zilizaa mara thelathini zaidi, na zingine sitini, na zingine mia”.
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 Na akasema, “Yeyote 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 Yesu alipokuwa peke yake, wale waliokuwa karibu naye na wale kumi na wawili walimuuliza kuhusu mifano.
[Later], when only the twelve [disciples] and a few [other] people were with him, they asked him about the parables.
11 Akasema kwao, “Kwenu mmepewa siri za ufalme wa Mungu. Lakini kwa walio nje kila kitu ni 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 wakitazama, ndiyo hutazama, lakini hawaoni, na kwa hiyo wanaposikia ndiyo husikia, lakini hawaelewi, amasivyo wangegeuka na Mungu angeliwasamehe.”
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 Na akasema kwao, “Je hamuelewi mfano huu? Mtawezaje kuelewa 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 Mpanzi alipanda neno.
[In the illustration that I told you], the man who sows [seeds represents someone who] declares God’s message [DOU].
15 Baadhi ni wale walioanguka pembeni mwa njia, mahali neno lilipopandwa. Na walipolisikia, mara Shetani akaja na kulichukua neno ambalo lilipandwa 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 Na baadhi ni wale waliopandwa juu ya mwamba, ambao, wanapolisikia neno, kwa haraka wanalipokea 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 Na hawana mizizi yoyote ndani yao, lakini huvumilia kwa muda mfupi. Halafu tabu na masumbufu vinapokuja kwa sababu ya neno, mara hujikwaa.
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 Na wengine ni wale waliopandwa katika miiba. Wanalisikia 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 dunia, udanganyifu wa mali, na tamaa za mambo mengine, huwaingia na kulisonga neno, na linashindwa kuzaa matunda. (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 Kisha kuna wale ambao wamepandwa kwenye udongo mzuri. Wanalisikia neno na kulipokea na huzaa matunda: baadhi thelathini, na baadhi sitini, na baadhi mia moja.”
[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 Yesu akawaambia, “Je huwa unaleta taa ndani ya nyumba na kuiweka chini ya kikapu, au chini ya kitanda? Huileta ndani na kuiweka juu ya kiango.
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 chochote kilichojificha ambacho hakitajulikana, na hakuna siri ambayo haitawekwa wazi.
[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 Akiwapo mwenye masikio ya kusikia, na asikie!”
If you want to understand this, you should consider [carefully] what you [have just heard].”
24 Akawaambia, “Iweni makini kwa kile mnachokisikia, kwa kuwa kipimo mpimacho, ndicho mtakachopimiwa, na itaongezwa kwenu.
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 sababu yeye aliyenacho, atapokea zaidi, na yule asiyenacho, kutoka kwake vitachukuliwa hata vile alivyonavyo.”
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 Na akasema, “Ufalme wa Mungu umefananishwa na mtu aliyepanda mbegu katika udongo.
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 Alipolala usiku na kuamka asubuhi, na mbegu zikachipuka na kukua, ingawa hajui ilivyotokea.
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 Dunia hutoa mbegu yenyewe; kwanza majani, halafu maua, halafu mbegu zilizo komaa.
First the stalks [appeared]. Then the heads [appeared]. Then the full kernels in the heads [appeared].
29 Na wakati mbegu itakapokua imeiva mara hupeleka mundu, kwa sababu mavuno yamewadia.”
As soon as the grain was ripe he sent [people] [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest [the grain].”
30 Na akasema, “tuufananishe ufalme wa Mungu na kitu gani, au tutumie mfano gani kuuelezea?
[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 mbegu ya haradali, ambapo ilipopandwa ni ndogo sana kuliko mbegu zote duniani.
[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 Hata, wakati imepandwa, inakuana kuwa kubwa zaidi ya mimea yote ya bustani, na inafanya matawi makubwa, hata ndege wa mbinguni huweza kufanya viota vyao kwenye kivuli chake.”
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 mingi alifundisha na alisema neno kwao, kwa kadiri walivyoweza kuelewa,
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 na hakusema nao bila mifano. Lakini wakati alipokuwa peke yake, akawaelezea kila kitu wanafunzi wake.
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 Katika siku hiyo, wakati wa jioni ulipowadia, akasema kwao, “Twendeni upande wa pili”.
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 Hivyo wakauacha umati, wakamchukua Yesu, wakati huo tayari alikuwa ndani ya mtumbwi. Mitumbwi mingine ilikuwa 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 Na upepo mkali wa dhoruba na mawimbi yalikuwa yakiingia ndani ya mtumbwi na mtumbwi tayali ulikuwa umejaa.
A strong wind came up and the waves started coming into the boat! The boat was soon nearly full [of water]!
38 Lakini Yesu mwenyewe alikuwa kwenye shetri, amelala kwenye mto. Wakamwamsha, wakisema, “Mwalimu, haujali sisi tunakufa?”
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 Na akaamka, akaukemea upepo na akaiambia bahari, “'Iwe shwari, amani”. Upepo ukakoma, na kulikuwa na utulivu mkubwa.
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 Na akasema kwao, “Kwa nini mnaogopa? Je hamna imani bado?”
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 Walijawa na hofu kubwa ndani yao na wakasemezana wao kwa wao, “Huyu ni nani tena, kwa sababu hata upepo na bahari vya mtii?”.
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]”
