< Mathayo 3 >
1 Katika siku zile Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Yuda akisema,
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 “Tubuni kwa maana ufalme wa mbinguni u karibu.”
saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 Kwa maana huyu ndiye aliyenenwa na nabii Isaya akisema, “sauti ya mtu aitaye kutoka jangwani; 'wekeni tayari njia ya Bwana, yanyoosheni mapito yake.”'
For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!”
4 Sasa Yohana alivaa manyoya ya ngamia na mkanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwituni.
And John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Kisha Yerusalemu, Yuda yote, na eneo lote linalozunguka mto Yorodani wakaenda kwake.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan;
6 Walikuwa wakibatizwa naye katika mto Yorodani huku wakitubu dhambi zao.
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 Lakini alipowaona wengi wa mafarisayo na masadukayo wakija kwake kubatizwa, akawaambia, ''Enyi uzao wa nyoka wenye sumu nani aliye waonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?
But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Zaeni matunda yaipasayo toba.
Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance,
9 Na msifikiri na kusemezana miongoni mwenu, 'Tunaye Ibrahimu kama baba yetu.' Kwa kuwa nawaambieni Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Ibrahimu watoto hata kutoka katika mawe haya.
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 Tayari shoka limekwisha kuwekwa kwenye mzizi wa miti. Kwahiyo kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri hukatwa na kutupwa kwenye moto.
And already is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire.
11 Ninawabatiza kwa maji kwa ajili ya toba. Lakini yeye ajaye baada yangu ni mkuu kuliko mimi nami sistahili hata kubeba viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
I indeed baptize you in water, for repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
12 Na pepeto lake li mkononi mwake kusafisha kabisa uwanda wake na kuikusanya ngano yake ghalani. Lakini atayachoma makapi kwa moto ambao hauwezi kuzimika.
His winnowing-shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
13 Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka mto Yorodani kubatizwa na Yohana.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 Lakini Yohana alitaka kumzuia akisema, “Mimi nahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu?''
But John opposed him, saying, I have need to be baptized by thee, and dost thou come to me?
15 Yesu akajibu akasema, ''Ruhusu iwe hivi sasa, kwa kuwa ndivyo itupasavyo kuitimiza haki yote.'' Kisha Yohana akamruhusu.
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 Baada ya kuwa amebatizwa, mara Yesu alitoka kwenye maji, na tazama, Mbingu zikafunguka kwake. Na alimuona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kwa mfano wa njiwa na kutulia juu yake.
And Jesus, as soon as he was baptized, went up from the water; and, lo! the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove, coming upon him.
17 Tazama, sauti ilitoka mbinguni ikisema, “Huyu ni mwanangu mpendwa. Ninaye pendezwa sana naye.''
And lo! a voice from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”