Luka 1
1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the facts which are received with full assurance among us
2 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
on the authority of those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses and were devoted to the service of the divine Message,
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account,
4 ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
that you may fully know the truth of the things which you have been taught by word of mouth.
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.
There was in the time of Herod, the king of Judaea, a priest of the name of Zechariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a wife who was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Wote wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
They were both of them upright before God, blamelessly obeying all the Lord's precepts and ordinances.
7 Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren; and both of them were far advanced in life.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
Now while he was doing priestly duty before God in the prescribed course of his class,
9 Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
it fell to his lot--according to the custom of the priesthood--to go into the Sanctuary of the Lord and burn the incense;
10 Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
and the whole multitude of the people were outside praying, at the hour of incense.
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 Zechariah on seeing him was agitated and terrified.
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, for your petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call his name John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
Gladness and exultant joy shall be yours, and many will rejoice over 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; no wine or fermented drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth.
16 Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
Many of the descendants of Israel will he turn 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 be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn fathers' hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly ready for the lord."
18 Zakariya akamwambia huyo malaika, “Ni kitu gani kitakachonihakikishia jambo hilo? Mimi ni mzee, hali kadhalika na mke wangu.”
"By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years."
19 Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
"I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God," answered the angel, "and I have been sent to talk with you and tell 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 dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words--words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time."
21 Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed 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.
When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb.
23 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
When his days of service were at an end, he went to his home;
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
and in course of time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months.
25 “Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya watu.”
"Thus has the Lord dealt with me," she said, "now that He has graciously taken away my reproach among men."
26 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God 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 maiden betrothed to a man of the name of Joseph, a descendant of David. The maiden's name was Mary.
28 Malaika akamwendea, akamwambia, “Salamu Maria! Umejaliwa neema nyingi! Bwana yu pamoja nawe.”
So Gabriel went into the house and said to her, "Joy be to you, favoured one! the Lord is with you."
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
She was greatly agitated at his words, and wondered what such a greeting meant.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His 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 He will be called 'Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David;
and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end." (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
"How can this be," Mary replied, "seeing that I have no husband?"
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 answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring 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.
And see, your relative Elizabeth--she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 Kwa maana hakuna jambo lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
For no promise from God will be impossible of fulfilment."
38 Maria akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana, nitendewe kama ulivyosema.” Kisha yule malaika akaenda zake.
"I am the Lord's maidservant," Mary replied; "may it be with me in accordance with your words!" And then the angel left her.
39 Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
Not long after this, Mary rose up and went in haste into the hill country to a town in Judah.
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
Here she came to the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth;
41 Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
and as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the babe leapt within her. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
and uttered a loud cry of joy. "Blest among women are you," she said, "and the offspring of your body is blest!
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
But why is this honour done me, 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, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the babe within me leapt for joy.
45 Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
And blessed is she who has believed, for the word spoken to her from the Lord shall be fulfilled."
46 Naye Maria akasema,
Then Mary said: "My soul extols the Lord,
47 “Moyo wangu wamtukuza Bwana, roho yangu inafurahi kwa sababu ya Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
And my spirit triumphs 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 turned from His maidservant in her lowly position; For from this time forward all generations will account me happy,
49 Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
Because the mighty One has done great things for me--Holy is His name!--
50 Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those who fear Him.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 amewashusha wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
He has cast monarchs down from their thrones, And exalted men of low estate.
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
The hungry He has satisfied with choice gifts, But the rich He has sent empty-handed away.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion--
In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever." (aiōn g165)
56 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned home.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
Now when Elizabeth's full time was come, she gave birth to a son;
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
and her neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had had great compassion on her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.
60 Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John."
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
"There is not one of your family," they said, "who has that name."
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.
64 Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad.
66 Wote waliosikia mambo hayo waliyatafakari mioyoni mwao wakisema: “Mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana, hakika nguvu ya Bwana ilikuwa pamoja naye.
All who heard the story treasured it in their memories. "What then will this child be?" they said. For the lord's hand was indeed with him.
67 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise.
68 “Asifiwe Bwana Mungu wa Israeli, kwani amekuja kuwasaidia na kuwakomboa watu wake.
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,
69 Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant--
As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets-- (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
To deliver us from our foes and from the power of all who hate us.
72 Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant,
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
The oath which He swore to Abraham our forefather,
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
To grant us to be rescued from the power of our foes And so render worship to Him free from fear,
75 kwa unyofu na uadilifu mbele yake, siku zote za maisha yetu.
In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
And you moreover, O child, shall be called Prophet of the Most High; For you shall go on in front before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
77 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness 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, Through which the daybreak from on high will come to us,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
Dawning on those who now dwell in the darkness and shadow of death--To direct 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 character, and lived in the Desert till the time came for him to appear publicly to Israel.
