Mathayo 3
1 Siku hizo Yohane Mbatizaji alitokea, akaanza kuhubiri katika jangwa la Yudea:
In those days came John the Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 “Tubuni, maana Ufalme wa mbinguni umekaribia.”
and saying: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 Huyu Yohane ndiye yule ambaye nabii Isaya alinena juu yake aliposema: “Sauti ya mtu imesikika jangwani: Mtayarishieni Bwana njia yake, nyoosheni vijia vyake.”
For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 Yohane alivaa vazi lililoshonwa kwa manyoya ya ngamia, na ukanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwituni.
But the same John had his clothing of camel’s hair, and a girdle of leather around his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Basi, watu kutoka Yerusalemu, kutoka mkoa wote wa Yudea na sehemu zote za kandokando ya mto Yordani, walimwendea,
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan,
6 wakaziungama dhambi zao, naye akawabatiza katika mto Yordani.
and were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 Lakini alipowaona Mafarisayo wengi na Masadukayo wanamjia ili awabatize, aliwaambia, “Enyi kizazi cha nyoka! Ni nani aliyewadokezea kwamba mnaweza kuiepuka ghadhabu inayokuja?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them: Generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the coining wrath?
8 Onyesheni basi kwa matendo, kwamba mmetubu kweli.
Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of repentance:
9 Msidhani kwamba mtaweza kujitetea kwa kusema, Baba yetu ni Abrahamu! Nawaambieni hakika, Mungu anaweza kuyafanya mawe haya yawe watoto wa Abrahamu.
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 Basi, shoka liko tayari kuikata mizizi ya miti; hivyo, kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri, utakatwa na kutupwa motoni.
Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees: therefore, every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 Mimi ninawabatizeni kwa maji kuonyesha kwamba mmetubu. Lakini yule anayekuja baada yangu ana uwezo kuliko mimi. Mimi sistahili hata kubeba viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatizeni kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
I immerse you in water, in order to repentance; but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
12 Yeye anashika mkononi chombo cha kupuria nafaka, ili aipure nafaka yake; akusanye ngano ghalani, na makapi ayachome kwa moto usiozimika.”
whose winnowing-shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his thrashing-floor, and gather his grain into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
13 Wakati huo Yesu alitoka Galilaya akafika katika mto Yordani, akamwendea Yohane ili abatizwe naye.
Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be immersed by him.
14 Lakini Yohane alijaribu kumzuia akisema, “Je, wewe unakuja kwangu? Mimi hasa ndiye ninayehitaji kubatizwa nawe.”
But John forbade him, saying: I have need to be immersed by thee, and comest thou to me?
15 Lakini Yesu akamjibu, “Acha tu iwe hivyo kwa sasa, maana kwa namna hii inafaa tuyatekeleze yale yote Mungu anayotaka.” Hapo Yohane akakubali.
But Jesus answering said to him: Permit it now; for thus it becomes us to perform fully every righteous act. Then he permitted him.
16 Mara tu Yesu alipokwisha batizwa, alitoka majini; na ghafla mbingu zikafunguka, akaona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kama njiwa na kutua juu yake.
And after Jesus was immersed, he came up immediately from the water; and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him.
17 Sauti kutoka mbinguni ikasema, “Huyu ndiye Mwanangu mpendwa, nimependezwa naye.”
And lo, a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight.
