Luka 1
1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast 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.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth.
6 Wote wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7 Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
9 Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10 Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11 Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zakariya alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
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 unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at 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 in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
And many of the children of Israel shall 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 shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; 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.”
And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
21 Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried 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.
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 “Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya watu.”
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.
26 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was 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.”
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his 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 shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a 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.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee 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, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also 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 with God nothing shall be impossible.
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 unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
39 Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
And whence [is] this to 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, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 Naye Maria akasema,
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 “Moyo wangu wamtukuza Bwana, roho yangu inafurahi kwa sababu ya Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 Kwa kuwa amemwangalia kwa huruma mtumishi wake mnyenyekevu. Hivyo tangu sasa watu wote wataniita mwenye heri.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name.
50 Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 amewashusha wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (aiōn g165)
56 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
And his mother answered and said, Not [so]; but he shall be called John.
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
64 Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue [loosed], and he spake, and praised God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
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 they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Asifiwe Bwana Mungu wa Israeli, kwani amekuja kuwasaidia na kuwakomboa watu wake.
Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: (aiōn g165)
71 kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might 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 life.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Mungu wetu ni mpole na mwenye huruma. Atasababisha pambazuko angavu la ukombozi litujie kutoka juu,
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 Mtoto akakua, akapata nguvu rohoni. Alikaa jangwani mpaka alipojionyesha rasmi kwa watu wa Israeli.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
