Luke 1
1 To his Excellency, Theophilus. Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion among us,
Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
2 just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterwards became bearers of the Message.
Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
3 And, therefore, I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you,
Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
4 in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others.
ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
5 In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.
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.
6 They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Wote wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
7 But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
8 One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his Division,
Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
9 it fell to him by lot, in accordance with the practice among the priests, to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense;
Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
10 and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
12 Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
Zakariya alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, whom you shall call by the name John.
Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Zakariya, usiogope, kwa maana sala yako imesikilizwa, na Elisabeti mkeo atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utampa jina Yohane.
14 He shall be to you a joy and a delight; and many shall rejoice over his birth.
Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; he shall not drink any wine or strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth,
Atakuwa mkuu mbele ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai wala kileo, atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake.
16 and shall reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
17 He shall go before him in the spirit and with the power of Elijah, ‘to reconcile fathers to their children’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”
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.”
18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”
Zakariya akamwambia huyo malaika, “Ni kitu gani kitakachonihakikishia jambo hilo? Mimi ni mzee, hali kadhalika na mke wangu.”
19 “I am Gabriel,” the angel answered, “who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
20 And now you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course.”
Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
21 Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
22 When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.
Alipotoka nje, hakuweza kusema nao. Ikawa dhahiri kwao kwamba alikuwa ameona maono Hekaluni. Lakini akawa anawapa ishara kwa mikono, akabaki bubu.
23 And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
24 After this his wife, Elizabeth, expecting to become a mother, lived in seclusion for five months.
Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
25 “This is what the Lord has done for me,” she said, “now that he has deigned to take away the reproach under which I have been living.”
“Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya watu.”
26 Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
27 to a maiden there who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
28 Gabriel came into her presence and said: “Hail, you who have been highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
Malaika akamwendea, akamwambia, “Salamu Maria! Umejaliwa neema nyingi! Bwana yu pamoja nawe.”
29 Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
30 when the angel spoke again: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
31 And now, you shall be with child and give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus.
Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
32 The child shall be great and shall be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David,
Yeye atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu Mkuu. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha mfalme Daudi, babu yake.
33 and he shall reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there shall be no end.” (aiōn g165)
Kwa hivyo atautawala ukoo wa Yakobo milele, na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho.” (aiōn g165)
34 “How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
35 “The Holy Spirit shall descend upon you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High shall overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘Son of God.’
Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu atakushukia, na uwezo wake Mungu Mkuu utakujia kama kivuli; kwa sababu hiyo, mtoto atakayezaliwa ataitwa Mtakatifu, Mwana wa Mungu.
36 And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age; and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren;
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.
37 for no promise from God shall fail to be fulfilled.”
Kwa maana hakuna jambo lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
38 “I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary; “let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Maria akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana, nitendewe kama ulivyosema.” Kisha yule malaika akaenda zake.
39 Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
40 and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
42 and cried aloud: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
43 But how have I this honour, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
44 For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
Nakwambia, mara tu niliposikia sauti yako, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
45 Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
46 And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
Naye Maria akasema,
47 my spirit delights in God my Saviour;
“Moyo wangu wamtukuza Bwana, roho yangu inafurahi kwa sababu ya Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
48 for he has remembered his servant in her lowliness; And from this hour all ages will count me happy!
Kwa kuwa amemwangalia kwa huruma mtumishi wake mnyenyekevu. Hivyo tangu sasa watu wote wataniita mwenye heri.
49 Great things has the Almighty done for me; And holy is his name.
Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
50 From age to age his mercy rests On those who reverence him.
Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
51 Mighty are the deeds of his arm; He scatters the proud with their own devices,
Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
52 he casts down princes from their thrones, and the lowly he uplifts,
amewashusha wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
53 the hungry he loads with gifts, and the rich he sends empty away.
Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
54 He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, Ever mindful of his mercy
Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
Kama alivyowaahidia wazee wetu Abrahamu na wazawa wake hata milele.” (aiōn g165)
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
57 When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
58 and her neighbours and relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
59 A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him ‘Zechariah’ after his father,
Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
60 when his mother interposed: “No, he is to be called John.”
Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
61 “You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
62 and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
63 Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words — ‘His name is John.’ Every one was surprised;
Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
64 and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
65 All their neighbours were awe-struck at this; and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about;
Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
66 and all who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another — “What can this child be destined to become?” For the Power of the Lord was with him.
Wote waliosikia mambo hayo waliyatafakari mioyoni mwao wakisema: “Mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana, hakika nguvu ya Bwana ilikuwa pamoja naye.
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
68 “Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
“Asifiwe Bwana Mungu wa Israeli, kwani amekuja kuwasaidia na kuwakomboa watu wake.
69 and has raised up for us the Strength of our Salvation In the House of his servant David —
Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
Aliahidi hapo kale kwa njia ya manabii wake watakatifu, (aiōn g165)
71 Salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us,
kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
72 showing mercy to our forefathers, And mindful of his sacred Covenant.
Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
73 This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham —
Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
74 That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
75 and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence all our days.
kwa unyofu na uadilifu mbele yake, siku zote za maisha yetu.
76 And thou, Child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way,
Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,
kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
78 through the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven,
Mungu wetu ni mpole na mwenye huruma. Atasababisha pambazuko angavu la ukombozi litujie kutoka juu,
79 to give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace.”
na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
80 The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the Wilds till the time came for his appearance before Israel.
Mtoto akakua, akapata nguvu rohoni. Alikaa jangwani mpaka alipojionyesha rasmi kwa watu wa Israeli.
