< Luka 1 >

1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us,
2 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
it seemed good to me also, having carefully investigated all things from the beginning, to write an orderly account for yoʋ, most excellent Theophilus,
4 ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
so that yoʋ may know the certainty of the things about which yoʋ 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, the king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters 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 righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations 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 advanced in their days.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
While Zechariah was serving as a priest before God when his division was on duty,
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.
At the hour of incense a great crowd was assembled outside, praying.
11 Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
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 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 to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for yoʋr prayer has been heard. Yoʋr wife Elizabeth will bear yoʋ a son, and yoʋ shall name him John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
Yoʋ will have joy and gladness, 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 must never drink any 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.
He will turn many of the sons of Israel 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 before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back 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.”
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I know this for certain? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her days.”
19 Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God and was sent to speak to yoʋ and bring yoʋ this good news.
20 Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
But behold, yoʋ will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because yoʋ did not believe my 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 wondering about his delay 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, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, because he kept making signs to them and remained unable to speak.
23 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
And when the days of his service had come to an end, he returned to his home.
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,
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 looked upon me with favor and taken away my reproach among the people.”
26 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
27 kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 Malaika akamwendea, akamwambia, “Salamu Maria! Umejaliwa neema nyingi! Bwana yu pamoja nawe.”
The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with yoʋ! Blessed are yoʋ among women!”
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
But when Mary saw him, she was greatly perplexed by his statement and began wondering what sort of greeting this could be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for yoʋ have found favor with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
And behold, yoʋ will conceive in yoʋr womb and give birth to a son, and yoʋ shall name him 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, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
33 Kwa hivyo atautawala ukoo wa Yakobo milele, na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho.” (aiōn g165)
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, 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 answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon yoʋ, and the power of the Most High will overshadow yoʋ; therefore the holy child that is 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.
And behold, yoʋr relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren.
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.
Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it happen to me according to yoʋr word.” And 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 arose and went with haste to the hill country, to a town of Judah,
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
where she entered 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,
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.
Then she exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are yoʋ among women, and blessed is the fruit of yoʋr womb!
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
How has this happened 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 behold, when the sound of yoʋr greeting came into 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, for what the Lord has spoken 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.
because he has looked favorably on the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
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.
From generation to generation his mercy is upon those who fear him.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the 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 and exalted the lowly.
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
55 Kama alivyowaahidia wazee wetu Abrahamu na wazawa wake hata milele.” (aiōn g165)
just as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
And Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her house.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
Now the time was fulfilled for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
Then her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.
60 Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
But the child's mother responded, “No! He is to be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
But they said to her, “There is no one among yoʋr relatives who has that name.”
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
Then they began making signs to the child's father to find out what he wanted to name him.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
So he 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.
At once Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, blessing God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
Then fear came upon all who dwelt around them, and in the entire hill country of Judea all these things were being discussed.
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 about this laid it up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child become?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
Then Zechariah, the child's father, 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, for he has visited his people and brought them redemption.
69 Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
He has raised up for us a horn of salvation in the house of his servant David
70 Aliahidi hapo kale kwa njia ya manabii wake watakatifu, (aiōn g165)
(just as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets long ago), (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 deal mercifully with our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
the oath he swore to Abraham our father, to grant us
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
that we, having been rescued from the hands 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 lives.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
And yoʋ, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for yoʋ will go before the presence of the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
to give his people knowledge of salvation through 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, by which the sunrise has visited us from on high,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
to give light to those who 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 became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

< Luka 1 >