Luka 1
1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
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 nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5 Wakati Herode alipokuwa mfalme wa Yudea, kulikuwa na kuhani mmoja jina lake Zakaria, wa kikundi cha Abia. Mke wake alikuwa anaitwa Elisabeti, naye alikuwa wa ukoo wa kuhani Aroni.
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 wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zakariya alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Zakariya, usiogope, kwa maana sala yako imesikilizwa, na Elisabeti mkeo atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utampa jina Yohane.
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 kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 Atakuwa mkuu mbele ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai wala kileo, atajazwa 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 Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
17 Atamtangulia Bwana akiongozwa na nguvu na roho kama Eliya. Atawapatanisha kina baba na watoto wao; atawafanya wasiotii wawe na fikira za uadilifu, na hivyo amtayarishie Bwana watu wake.”
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 Zakariya akamwambia huyo malaika, “Ni kitu gani kitakachonihakikishia jambo hilo? Mimi ni mzee, hali kadhalika na mke wangu.”
“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 akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari 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 Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
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 Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 Alipotoka nje, hakuweza kusema nao. Ikawa dhahiri kwao kwamba alikuwa ameona maono Hekaluni. Lakini akawa anawapa ishara kwa mikono, akabaki bubu.
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 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 “Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya 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 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
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 Malaika akamwendea, akamwambia, “Salamu Maria! Umejaliwa neema nyingi! Bwana yu pamoja nawe.”
The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu Mkuu. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha mfalme Daudi, babu 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,
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!” (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu atakushukia, na uwezo wake Mungu Mkuu utakujia kama kivuli; kwa sababu hiyo, mtoto atakayezaliwa ataitwa Mtakatifu, 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 Ujue pia kwamba hata Elisabeti, jamaa yako, naye amepata mimba ingawa ni mzee, na sasa ni mwezi wa sita kwake yeye ambaye watu walimfahamu kuwa tasa.
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 Kwa maana hakuna jambo lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 Maria akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana, nitendewe kama ulivyosema.” Kisha yule malaika akaenda zake.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
39 Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Nakwambia, mara tu niliposikia sauti yako, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
46 Naye Maria akasema,
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 “Moyo wangu wamtukuza Bwana, roho yangu inafurahi kwa sababu ya Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 Kwa kuwa amemwangalia kwa huruma mtumishi wake mnyenyekevu. Hivyo tangu sasa watu wote wataniita mwenye heri.
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika 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 wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
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 akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 Wote waliosikia mambo hayo waliyatafakari mioyoni mwao wakisema: “Mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana, hakika nguvu ya Bwana ilikuwa 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 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Asifiwe Bwana Mungu wa Israeli, kwani amekuja kuwasaidia na kuwakomboa watu wake.
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past, (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 kwa unyofu na uadilifu mbele yake, siku zote za maisha yetu.
in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
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 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Mungu wetu ni mpole na mwenye huruma. Atasababisha pambazuko angavu la ukombozi litujie kutoka juu,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika 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 Mtoto akakua, akapata nguvu rohoni. Alikaa jangwani mpaka alipojionyesha rasmi kwa watu wa 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.
