< Yohani 1 >

1 Kuvutengulilo kwe alyale ulisio, ulisio ujuo alyale palikimo nu Nguluve, kange ulisio alyale ghuse, Nguluve.
The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) has always existed (from the beginning [MTY] [of everything/before everything began]). He has always existed with God, and he has God’s nature.
2 Kuhuma kuvute ngulilo, ulisio ujuo alyale palikimo nu Nguluve.
He always existed with God [before] he began [MTY] [to create anything].
3 UNgulve alyapelile ifiinu fyoni kukilila umwene. Nakwekili nambe kimo kino alyapelile kisila kukilila kwa mwene ujuo.
He is the one by whom [God] caused everything to exist. He is the one who created absolutely everything [LIT].
4 Mwa mwene mwevulyale uvusumi, uvusumi uvuo vukava lumuli ku vaanhu vooni.
He is the one who [caused everything to] live. He, who caused us people to live, [revealed to us the truth about God as] a light [MET] [reveals what is in the darkness].
5 Ulumuli uluo lumulika mu nghiisi, ingiisi jikunilue kukululema.
People do not want him to reveal [that what they do is evil] [MET], just [like] darkness [is evil]. But [just like] darkness cannot put out light [MET], [evil people have never prevented the one who was like a light from revealing God’s truth] (OR, [evil people have never] understood the [one who was like] a light.)
6 UNguluve alyansung'hile umuunhu jumonga juno akatambukagha Yohani.
A man whose name was John was sent by God {God sent a man whose name was John}.
7 UYohani ujuo, alisile kukwoleka imhola isa lumuli uluo, kuuti avaanhu vooni vitike kukilila umwene.
He came to tell people [about the one who was like] [MET] a light. He came to show that everything that the [one who was like a light] [MET] said was true, in order that he could enable all people to believe [in the one who was like a light].
8 UYohani ujuo naalyale ghwe lumuli uluo, looli alisile kukwoleka ulumuli.
John himself was not the [one who was like a] light [MET]. Instead, he came to tell others about that [one who was like a] light.
9 Ulumuli uluo ulwa kyang'haani, luno lukava lukwisa muiisi, uluo lukavamulikila avaanhu vooni. Ulumuli uluo.
[While John was doing that], the one who was truly [like] a light was about to show himself to the world. He was the one who enables all people [to know about God, as] a light [MET] enables [people to know what is in the darkness].
10 Ulisio mwe alyale mu iisi, naji iisi jooni jilyapelilue kukilila umwene, neke avaanhu navalyankagwile.
Although the one [who was like a light] was [here] on the earth, and although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people [MTY, HYP] did not realize who he [was]. (OR, although he was the one whom [God] caused to create everything, [most] people did not accept him.)
11 Alisile kuvaanhu vaake, aveene navalyamwupiile. Neke avaanhu vooni vano valyamwupiile na kukumwitika, akavaviika kuuva vaana va Nguluve.
Although he came to the land that belonged to him [because he created it, most of] his own people, [the Jews], rejected him (OR, did not accept him).
12 Neke avaanhu vooni vano valya valyamwupiile na kukumwitika, akavaviika kuuva vaana va Nguluve.
But those [of us who welcomed him, God] authorized [that we would have a relationship with] him [MET] [like] children [have a relationship with their father]. We were people who believed [that what he said] about himself [MTY] [was true].
13 Nakwekuti vaana va Nguluve vwimila ifisina fyave, nambemulwa kuholua nu mughosi nu ndala, nambe muvughane vwa muunhu, looli UNguluve jujuo ghwe juno avavikile kuuva vanaake.
We became [like God’s children], not because our ancestors [belonged to God], or because of someone’s sexual desires, nor because some man desired to have children like himself. Instead, we were caused by God {God caused us} to become [like] his children.
14 Ulisio ujuo akava muunhu, akikala palikimo nusue, najusue tukuvuvona uvuvaha vwake, uvuvaha vuno vuhufia kuuti ghwe mwana jumo mwene ghwa Nguluve uNhaata. Umwene ali nu lusungu fiijo nu vwakyang'haani vwoni.
The one who expresses [MET] ([God’s character/what God is like]) became a human being, and he lived among us [for a while]. As a result, we saw how wonderful he is. He came from [God] his father, and there was no other person as wonderful as he. He was wonderful because he always acted (kindly toward us/in ways we did not deserve), and he always [spoke] truthfully to us [about God].
15 UYohani akavoleka avaanhu imhola isa muunhu ujuo, akajova fiijo akati, “Uju ghwe juno najovagha kuuti, 'Juno ikwisa kumbele kulyune, m'baha kukila une, ulwakuva kwealyale une ye nikyale kuholua.”
[One day] when John was telling people about him, [he saw Jesus]. Then he shouted to them, “I told you [previously] that someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me. This [is the man I was talking about]!”
16 Usue tweni muvukwilanifu vwake, twupiile ulusungu lwake, kange ifikutusungukilagha jaatu.
We have all benefited very much from what he has done. Again and again, he has acted in kind way toward us in ways we did not deserve.
17 Ulwakuva indaghilo saake alyatupeliile kukilila uMose, ulusungu nu vwakyang'haani atupeliile kukilila uYesu kilisite.
Moses proclaimed [God’s] laws [to our ancestors]. But what Jesus Christ did for us [was much better]. He acted in kindness toward us in ways we did not deserve and told us the truth [about God].
18 Nakwale umuunhu juno aghelile kukumwagha uNguluve, ali palikimo nu Nguluve uNhaata. Ujuo ghwe mwene atuhufisie uNguluve.
No one has ever seen God. But God’s only Son, [Jesus], who has always had a very close relationship with God, has told us about God.
19 Avalongosi va Vayahudi valyavasung'hile avatekesi na Valeevi kukumposia uYohani kuuti ghwe veeni.
The Jewish [leaders] [SYN] in Jerusalem [city] sent some [Jewish] priests and (Levites/men who worked in the temple) to where John was, to ask him some questions. They said to him, “What do you [claim about] yourself?”
20 Umwene akavoleka kisila kufisa, akati, “Une naneene Kiliste.”
So John told them the truth, and he told them clearly [DOU]. He said, “[I] am not (the Messiah/God’s chosen king)!”
21 Vakamposi kange vakati, “Lino uve veeni? Asi, veeve m'bili Eliya? UYohani akavamula akati, “Ndali, na neene Eliya.” Vakamposia kange vakati, Veeve m'bili?” Akavamula akati, “Ndali na neene.”
Then they asked him, “Then what [do you say about yourself]? Are you [the prophet] Elijah [that was prophesied to return] {([someone/another prophet]) [prophesied would return]} [before the Messiah]?” He replied, “No, [I] am not.” Then they asked him, “Are you the prophet [like Moses that] ([we are waiting for/God promised to send])?” He replied, “No.”
22 Vakamposi kange vakati, “Lino uve veeve veeve veeve? Ghukutambula veeve veeni? Tulonda tugomosie ulwamulo ku vano vatusung'hile?”
So they asked him, “Then who do you [claim to be]? [Tell us] so that we can [go back and] report to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 UYohani akavamula akati, Une neene lisio lya muunhu juno ikemeela ku'lukuve iiti, munnosekesyaghe uMutwa isila.” Ndavule alyajovile um'bili uYesaya.”
John replied, “[I] am the one [the prophet Isaiah said] would proclaim [this new message] loudly [to the people who would pass by] in this desolate area: ‘Prepare [yourselves to receive] the Lord when he comes [MET], [just like people prepare] a road [for an important official].
24 Pepano avaanu vala vano valyasung'hilue na Vafalisayo vakampos kange vakati,
Some of those people [who were questioning] John were ones who had been sent by the Pharisee [religious group] {whom the Pharisee [religious group] had sent}.
25 “Nave naveeve Kilisite, nambe naveeve Eliya nambe na uli m'bili, ongo ghukwofugha?”
They asked John, “Since [you say] you are not the Messiah, nor [the prophet] Elijah, nor the prophet [like Moses], [what authority] do you have? [Furthermore], why are you baptizing [Jews, treating them as though they were non-Jews who wanted to become Jews]?”
26 UYohani akavamula akati, “Une nikwofungha na malenga, neke nkate mulyumue pwale juno umue namunkagwile.
John replied, “I am [just] baptizing people with water [to prepare them to welcome the Messiah]. But [right now] someone is among you whom you people do not know.
27 Ujuo ghwe juno ikwisa kumbele kulyune. Une naninoghiile nambe kuhudula utukova utwa filatu tyake.
He [will preach to you] after I [am gone]. [He is so important that] I am not worthy to [serve him as a slave] [MET] [by] untying his sandals.”
28 Isio silyavombiike mu kikaaja kya ikya Betania, imwambo ja Yolidani, ukuo kwe kuno uYohani alyale ikwifugha avaanhu.
Those things happened at [a place called] Bethany, on the [east] side of the Jordan [River], where John was baptizing people.
29 Ikigho ikivingilili, uYohani akamwagha uYesu ikwisa kwa mwene. Pe akavavuula avaaanhu akati, “Lolagha, uju ghwe kakolo ghwa nguluvve, ghwe mwene ivusia uvuhosi vwa vaanhu vooni.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. He said to the people, “Look! Here is the [man whom] God [has appointed to be a sacrifice] [MET], [like] the lambs [that the people of Israel sacrificed! By sacrificing himself] he will [make it possible for everyone in] the world to be no longer [guilty for having] sinned.
30 Uju ghwe juno navagha kuuti, “Juno ikwisa kumbele kulyune, m'baha kukila une, ulwakuva kwe alyale une ye nikyale kuholua.'
He is the one about whom I said [before], ‘Someone will come later who is more important than I am, since he existed [long] before me.’
31 Najune nanikaakagwile kuuti ghwe kakolo, looli une nilisile kukwofungha avaanu na malenga, kuuti aVaisilaeli vankagule.”
I myself did not [previously] recognize that he [was the Messiah]. But [now I know who he is], and I have baptized people with water to enable [you people of] Israel to recognize who he is.”
32 Kange uYohani akavavula akati, “Nimwaghile uMhepo uMwimike ikwika kuhuma kukyanya hwene ng'unda na kukwima pa mwene.
John spoke clearly [what God had shown him about Jesus]. He said, “I saw [God’s] Spirit as he was descending from heaven in the form of a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.
33 Une nanivele nikagwile, neke UNguluve juno asung'hile kukwofugha avaanhu na malenga ambulile kuuti, 'Umuunhu juno kyaukumwagha uMhepo ikwika na kukwima pa mwene ujuo ghwe juno ikwofughagha nu Mhepo uMwimike.”
I myself did not know [previously] that he [was the Messiah]. However, [God] sent me to baptize people with water, [people who said they wanted to turn from their sinful ways. While I was doing that], God told me, ‘The man on whom you will see my Spirit descend and remain is the one who will put the Holy Spirit within you [(pl) to truly change your lives].’
34 UYohani akafijovagha akatisagha, “Une nisivwene isio na maaso ghango, kange nijova isa kyang'haani, kuuti uju ghwe mwana ghwa Nguluve.”
I saw [the Spirit descend on him], and I tell you that he is (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man).”
35 Ikighono ikya vuvili,
The next day John was at the same place again (with two of us/with two of his disciples).
36 kange, ikighono ikivingilili, uYohani uMwofughi akava imile palikimo na vavulanisivua vaake vavili, vakamwagha UYesu ikila, pe uYohani akati, “Lolagha, ukakologhwa Nguluve!”
When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! There is the man God [has appointed to be a sacrifice, like] the lambs [MET] [the people of Israel have sacrificed!]”
37 Avavulanisivua vavili vala, ye vampuliike uYohani ijova amasio aghuo, vaka m'bingilila uYesu.
(When we/those two disciples) heard John say this, we/they went with Jesus.
38 Pe uYesu akasyetuka, akavona vikum'bingilila, akavaposia akati, mulonda kiki? “Aveene vakamwamula vakati, “Rabi, (kwe kuti m'bulanisi) ghukukala kuughi?
Jesus turned around and saw us/them coming behind him. So he asked us/them, “What do you want?” We/They replied, “Teacher, [tell us] where you are staying, [because we want to talk with you].”
39 UYesu akati, “Mwise, mukupaagha.” Pe vakam'bingilila. Pakivwilile, akavalilo aka kijigho, vakafika pano ikalagha, vakava lumo ikighono kila.
He replied, “Come [with me], and you will see [where I am staying]!” So we/they went with him and saw where he was staying. We/They stayed with him until about 4 o’clock (OR, from about 4 PM until the next day).
40 Umo mu vavulanisivua vavili vala vano vakapuliike amasio gha Yohani na kukum'bingilila uYesu, alyale ghwe Ndeleya unnuuna ghwa Simoni Peteli.
(One of us/One of the two men) who heard what John had said and who went with Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s [younger] brother.
41 Undeleya akamwagha unkulu ghwake uSimoni, akam'buula akati, “Tumwaghile uMesiya” (Mesiya kwe kuti Kiliste).
[After Andrew left Jesus], the first thing he did was to find his own [older] brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah!”
42 Pe akantwala uSimoni kwa Yesu. UYesu akamulola uSimoni, akam'buula akati, Uve veeve Simoni mwana ghwa Yohani, lino ghutambulwaga Keefa,” (Kwe kuti' Peteli).
Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked intently at him, and then said, “You are Simon. Your father’s name is John. You will be given {[I] will give you} the name Cephas.” [Cephas is an Aramaic name that means ‘solid rock’. It] means [the same in Greek as the name] Peter.
43 Ikighono ikivingilili, uYesu ye ilonda pivuuka kuluta ku kighavo ikya Galilaya, akamwagha uFilipo, akambuula akati “Umbingililaghe.”
The next day [Jesus] decided to leave [the Jordan River valley]. He went to Galilee [district] and (OR, on the way there he) found a man named Philip. Jesus said to him, “Come with me!”
44 UFilipo alyale mhuma mu likaaja ilya Betisaida. Ghwope uNdeleya nu Peteli vakahumagha mulikaaja ilio.
Philip and Andrew and Peter were all from Bethsaida [town].
45 UFilipo akamwagha uNatanaeli, akambuula akati, “Tumwaghile umuunhu juno imhola saake silyalembilue nu Moose mu kitabu ikya Ndaghilo, na mufitabu ifya vavili. Ujuo ghwe Yesu mwana ghwa Yosefu umhuma ku Nasaleti.
Then Philip [searched for] Nathaniel and found him, and said to him, “We have met [the Messiah], the one Moses [wrote about]! The prophets also [prophesied that he would come]. He is Jesus, from Nazareth [town]. His father’s name is Joseph.”
46 UNatanaeli akamposia uFilipo akati, “Ikiinu ikinono ndepoonu kihuma ku Nasaleti? “UFilipo akamwamula akati, “Ghwise, ulole!”
Nathaniel replied, “Nazareth? (Nothing good can come from [such an unimportant place]!/Can anything good come from [such an unimportant place]?) [RHQ]” Philip replied, “Come and see!”
47 UYesu ye amwaghile uNatanaeli ikwisa kwa mwene, akajova akati, “Lolagha, ujuo ghwe Muisilaeli ghwa kyang'haani, nsila vukedusi nkate mwa mwene.”
When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, he said about Nathaniel, “Here is an example of a good Israelite! He never deceives anyone!”
48 UNatanaeli akamposia uYesu akati, “Ghwe Mutwa, ung'hagwile ndaani?” UYesu akamwamula na kukum'bula akati, “Nambe uFilipo ye akyale pikukukemeela, une niveele nikwaghile, ghukalile paasi pa mpiki untini.”
Nathaniel asked him, “How do you know what I [am like]?” Jesus replied, “I saw you before Philip called you, when you were [by yourself] under the fig tree.”
49 Pe uNatanaeli akamwamula akati, “Ghwe Mbulanisi, lino nikagwile kuuti, uli mwana ghwa Nguluve! Uli Ntwa ghwa Isilaeli!”
Then Nathaniel declared, “Teacher, you [must be] (the Son of God/the person who is both God and man)! You are the King of Israel [we have been waiting for]!”
50 UYesu akamposia akati, “Ghukwitika ulwakuva nikuvuvulile kuuti niveele nikuvwene ye ghukalile pa mpiki untini? Lino ghukusivona isingi imbaha kukila isi.
Jesus replied to him, “You [RHQ] believe [those things about me] because I told you I saw you when you were under the fig tree. [I was able to see you supernaturally even though I was far away from you]. But you will see [me do] things that are more surprising than that!”
51 UYesu akavavuula akati, kyang'haani nikuvavuula, mulikuvuvona uvulanga vudinduka na vanyamola va Nguluve vitogha na kukwika palyune ne Mwana ghwa Muunhu.”
Then Jesus said to him, “This is the absolute truth: [Just like what your ancestor Jacob saw long ago in a vision], some day you [(pl)] will see heaven opened up, and you will see God’s angels ascending from me and descending on me, the one who came from heaven.”

< Yohani 1 >