Luka 1
1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
Forasmuch as many have undertaken to compose a narrative of those things, which have been accomplished amongst us,
2 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
as they, who were from the beginning, eye-witnesses, and afterwards ministers of the word, delivered them to us;
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
I have also determined, having exactly traced everything from the first, to write a particular account for you, most excellent Theophilus;
4 ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
that you might know the certainty of those matters wherein you have been instructed.
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 days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah; and his wife, named Elizabeth, was of the daughters of Aaron.
6 Wote wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
They were both righteous before God, blameless observers of all the Lord's commandments and ordinances.
7 Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were advanced in years.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
Now when he came to officiate as priest in the order of his course,
9 Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to offer incense in the sanctuary.
10 Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
And while the incense was burning, the whole congregation were praying without.
11 Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zakariya alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
And Zacharias was discomposed at the sight, and in great terror.
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, Fear not, Zacharias; for your prayer is heard, and Elizabeth your wife shall bear you a son, whom you shall name John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
He shall be to you matter of joy and transport; and many shall rejoice because of his birth.
15 Atakuwa mkuu mbele ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai wala kileo, atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake.
For he shall be great before the Lord; he shall not drink wine nor any fermented liquor; but he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16 Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
And many of the sons of Israel he shall bring 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.”
Moreover, he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to reconcile fathers to their children, and by the wisdom of the righteous, to render the disobedient a people well disposed for the Lord.
18 Zakariya akamwambia huyo malaika, “Ni kitu gani kitakachonihakikishia jambo hilo? Mimi ni mzee, hali kadhalika na mke wangu.”
And Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this: for I am old man, and my wife is advanced in years?
19 Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
The angel answering, said to him, I am Gabriel, who attend in the presence of God, and am sent to tell you this joyful news.
20 Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
But know that you shall be dumb, and shall not recover your speech, till the day when these things happen, because you have not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in due time.
21 Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
Meanwhile the people waited for Zacharias, and wondered that he staid so long in the sanctuary.
22 Alipotoka nje, hakuweza kusema nao. Ikawa dhahiri kwao kwamba alikuwa ameona maono Hekaluni. Lakini akawa anawapa ishara kwa mikono, akabaki bubu.
But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; for he made them understand by signs, and remained speechless.
23 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
And when his days of officiating were expired, he returned home.
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
Soon after, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and lived in retirement five months, and said,
25 “Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya watu.”
The Lord has done this for me, purposing now to deliver me from the reproach I lay under among men.
26 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
Now, in the sixth month, God sent Gabriel his angel, to Nazareth, a city of Galilee;
27 kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
to a virgin betrothed to a man called Joseph, 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.”
When the angel entered, he said to her, Hail, favorite of heaven! the Lord be with you, happiest of women!
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
At his appearance and words, she was perplexed, and revolved in her mind what this salutation could mean.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
And behold, you shall conceive and bear a son, whom you shall name Jesus.
32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu Mkuu. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha mfalme Daudi, babu yake.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give him the throne of David his Father.
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever: his reign shall never end. (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, since I have no intercourse with man?
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 answering, said to her, The Holy Spirit will descend upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore the holy progeny shall 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.
And lo! your cousin Elizabeth also has conceived, a son in her old age; and she who is called barren, is now in her sixth month;
37 Kwa maana hakuna jambo lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
for nothing is impossible with God.
38 Maria akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana, nitendewe kama ulivyosema.” Kisha yule malaika akaenda zake.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it to me according to your word. Then the angel departed.
39 Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
In those days Mary set out, and traveled expeditiously into the hill country; to a city of Judah;
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
where having entered the house of Zacharias, she saluted Elizabeth.
41 Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's salutation, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
and cried with a loud voice, You are the most blessed of women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
But how have I deserved this honor, to be visited by the mother of my Lord!
44 Nakwambia, mara tu niliposikia sauti yako, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
for know, that as soon as the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
And happy is she who believed that the things which the Lord has promised her, shall be performed.
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 Saviour;
48 Kwa kuwa amemwangalia kwa huruma mtumishi wake mnyenyekevu. Hivyo tangu sasa watu wote wataniita mwenye heri.
because he has not disdained the low condition of his handmaid; for henceforth, all posterity will pronounce me happy.
49 Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
For the Almighty, whose name is venerable, has done wonders for me.
50 Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
His mercy on them who fear him, extends to generations of generations.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
He displays the strength of his arm, and dispels the vain imaginations of the proud.
52 amewashusha wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
He pulls down potentates from their thrones, and exalts the lowly.
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
The needy he loads with benefits; but the rich he spoils of everything.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
He supports Israel his servant, ever inclined to mercy,
(as he promised to our fathers) toward Abraham and his race. (aiōn g165)
56 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And Mary, after staying with Elizabeth about three months, returned home.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
When the time for Elizabeth's delivery was come, she brought forth a son;
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
and her neighbors and relations who heard that the Lord had shown her great kindness, rejoiced with her.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
And, on the eighth day, when they came to the circumcision of the child, they would have called him by his father's name, Zacharias.
60 Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
And his mother interposed, saying, No; but he shall be called John.
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
They said to her, There is none of your kindred of that name.
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
They, therefore, asked his father by signs, how he would have him called.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
He, having demanded a table-book, wrote upon it, His name is John, which surprised them all.
64 Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
And his mouth was opened directly, and his tongue loosed. And he spoke, praising God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
Now all in the neighborhood were struck with awe; and the fame of these things spread throughout all the hill country of Judea.
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 these things, pondering them in their hearts, said, What will this child hereafter be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
Then Zacharias, his father, being filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying,
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.
and has raised a Prince for our deliverance in the house of David his servant;
(as anciently he promised by his holy prophets) (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
for our deliverance from our enemies, and from the hands of all who hate us;
72 Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
in kindness to our forefathers, and remembrance of his holy institution;
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
the oath which he swore to our father Abraham,
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
to grant to us, that being rescued out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve him boldly,
75 kwa unyofu na uadilifu mbele yake, siku zote za maisha yetu.
in piety and uprightness all our days.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
And you, child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; for you shall go before the Lord, to prepare his way,
77 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
by giving the knowledge of salvation to his people, in the remission of their sins,
78 Mungu wetu ni mpole na mwenye huruma. Atasababisha pambazuko angavu la ukombozi litujie kutoka juu,
through the tender compassion of our God, who has caused a light to spring from on high to visit us,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
to enlighten those who abide in darkness and in the shades of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace.
80 Mtoto akakua, akapata nguvu rohoni. Alikaa jangwani mpaka alipojionyesha rasmi kwa watu wa Israeli.
Meantime the child grew, and acquired strength of mind, and continued in the deserts, until the time when he made himself known to Israel.
