< Luka 1 >

1 Wengi wamejitahidi kuweka katika mpangilio simulizi kuhusu masuala ambayo yametimizwa kati yetu,
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
2 kama walivyotupatia sisi, ambao tangu mwanzo ni mashahidi wa macho na watumishi wa ujumbe.
even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
3 Hivyo nami pia, baada ya kuchuguza kwa uangalifu chanzo cha mambo haya yote tokea mwanzo - nimeona ni vema kwangu pia kukuandikia katika mpangilio wake - mheshimiwa sana Theofilo.
it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
4 Ili kwamba uweze kujua ukweli wa mambo uliyofundishwa.
that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
5 Katika siku za Herode, mfalme wa Yudea, palikuwa na kuhani fulani aliyeitwa Zekaria, wa ukoo wa Abiya. Mke wake alitoka kwa binti za Haruni, na jina lake aliitwa Elizabeti.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 Wote walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu; walitembea bila lawama katika amri zote na maagizo ya Bwana.
They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 Lakini hawakuwa na mtoto, kwasababu Elizabethi alikuwa tasa, na kwa wakati huu wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8 Sasa ilitokea kwamba Zakaria alikuwa katika uwepo wa Mungu, akiendelea na wajibu wa kikuhani katika utaratibu wa zamu yake.
Now it happened, while he was performing the priest's office before God in the order of his division,
9 Kulingana na desturi ya kuchagua ni kuhani yupi atakayehudumu, alikuwa amechaguliwa kwa kura kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana na hivyo angefukiza uvumba.
according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 Kundi lote la watu lilikuwa likiomba nje wakati wa kufukizwa kwa ufumba.
And the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
11 Sasa malaika wa Bwana alimtokea na kasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12 Zakaria alitishika alipomuona; hofu ikamwangukia.
Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Zakaria, kwasababu maombi yako yamesikika. Mke wako Elizabeth atakuzalia mwana. Jina lake utamwita Yohana.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you are to name him John.
14 Utakuwa na furaha na uchangamfu, na wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake.
You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.
15 Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele ya macho ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai au kinywaji kikali, na atakuwa amejazwa na Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16 Na watu wengi wa Israel watageuzwa kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
17 Atakwenda mbele za uso wa Bwana katika roho na nguvu ya Eliya. Atafanya hivi ili kurejesha mioyo ya baba kwa watoto, ili kwamba wasiotii wataenenda katika hekima ya wenye haki. Atafanya hivi kuweka tayari kwa Bwana watu ambao wameandaliwa kwa ajili yake.”
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, '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 Zakaria akamwambia malaika, “Nitawezaje kujua hili? Kwasababu mimi ni mzee na mke wangu miaka yake imekuwa mingi sana.”
Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 Malaika akajibu na kumwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, ambaye husimama mbele za Mungu. Nilitumwa kukwambia, kukuletea habari hii njema.
The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.
20 Na tazama, hutaongea, utakuwa kimya, hutaweza kuongea mpaka siku ile mambo haya yatakapotokea. Hii ni kwasababu ulishindwa kuamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati mwafaka.”
And look, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
21 Sasa watu walikuwa wakimsubiri Zakaria. Walishangazwa kwamba alikuwa anatumia muda mwingi hekaluni.
The people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering why he was delayed in the temple.
22 Lakini alipotoka nje, hakuweza kuongea nao. Wakatambua kwamba alikuwa amepata maono alipokuwa hekaluni. Aliendelea kuonesha ishara na alibaki kimya.
When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
23 Ikatokea kwamba siku za huduma yake zilipokwisha aliondoka kurudi nyumbani kwake.
It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
24 Baada ya Zakaria kurudi nyumbani kutoka kwenye huduma yake hekaluni, mke wake akawa mjamzito. Naye hakutoka nyumbani mwake kwa muda wa miezi mitano. Akasema,
After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
25 “Hili ndilo amabalo Bwana amefanya kwangu aliponitazama kwa upendeleo ili kuiondoa aibu yangu mbele za watu.”
"Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my disgrace among people."
26 Sasa, katika mwezi wa sita wa mimba ya Elizabeti, Mungu alimwambia malaika Gabrieli kwenda kwenye mji wa Galilaya uitwao Nazareti,
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 kwa bikra aliyekuwa ameposwa na mwanaume ambaye jina lake lilikuwa Yusufu. Yeye alikuwa wa ukoo wa Daudi, na jina la bikra huyo lilikuwa Mariamu.
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 Akaja kwake na akasema, “Salaam, wewe uliyepokea neema kuu! Bwana amependezwa nawe.”
Having come in, the angel said to her, "Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you."
29 Lakini maneno ya malaika yalimchanganya na hakuelewa kwa nini malaika alisema salaam hii ya ajabu kwake.
But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Mariamu, maana umepata neema kutoka kwa Mungu.
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Na tazama, utabeba mimba katika tumbo lako na utazaa mwana. Nawe utamwita jina lake 'Yesu.'
And look, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'
32 Atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu Sana. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi baba yake.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
33 Atatawala juu ya ukoo wa Yakobo milele na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho. (aiōn g165)
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom." (aiōn g165)
34 Mariamu akamwambia malaika, hili litatokea kwa namna gani, maana sijawahi kulala na mwanaume yeyote?
Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
35 Malaika akajibu na akamwambia, “Roho Mtakatifu atakujia juu yako, na nguvu ya Aliye Juu Sana itakuja juu yako. Kwa hiyo, mtakatifu atakayezaliwa ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu.
The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born will be called the Son of God.
36 Na tazama, ndugu yako Elizabeti anaujauzito wa mwana kwenye umri wake wa uzee. Huu ni mwezi wa sita kwake, ambaye alikuwa anaitwa mgumba.
And look, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 Maana hakuna lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
For with God nothing will be impossible."
38 Mariamu akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa kike wa Bwana. Acha iwe hivyo kwangu sawa sawa na ujumbe wako.” Kisha malaika akamwacha.
And Mary said, "See, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.
39 Ndipo katika siku hizo Mariamu aliondoka na kwa haraka alikwenda katika nchi ya vilima, kwenye mji katika nchi ya Yudea.
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
40 Alikwenda nyumbani mwa Zekaria na akamsalimia Elizabeti.
and entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Sasa, ilitokea kwamba Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Mariamu, mtoto tumboni mwake akaruka, na Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu.
It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Akapaza sauti yake na kusema kwa sauti kuu, “umebarikiwa wewe zaidi miongoni mwa wanawake, na mtoto aliyemo tumboni mwako amebarikiwa.
She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 Na imekuwaje kwangu kwamba, mama wa Bwana wangu ilipasa aje kwangu?
Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Kwa kuwa tazama, iliposikika masikoni mwangu sauti ya kusalimia kwako, mtoto tumboni mwangu akaruka kwa furaha.
For look, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Na amebarikiwe mwanamke yule ambaye aliamini ya kwamba ungetokea ukamilifu wa mambo yale aliyoambiwa kutoka kwa Bwana.”
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord."
46 Mariamu akasema, nafsi yangu inamsifu Bwana,
Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
47 na roho yangu imefurahi katika Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 Kwa maana ameiangalia hali ya chini ya mtumishi wake wa kike. Tazama, tangu sasa katika vizazi vyote wataniita mbarikiwa.
for he has looked at the humble state of his servant girl. For look, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 Kwa maana yeye aliyemweza amefanya mambo makubwa kwangu, na jina lake ni takatifu.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 Rehema yake inadumu toka kizazi hata kizazi kwa wale wanao mheshimu yeye.
His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
51 Ameonesha nguvu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale ambao walijivuna juu ya mawazo ya mioyo yao.
He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 Amewashusha chini wana wa wafalme toka katika viti vyao vya enzi na kuwainua juu walio na hali ya chini.
He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.
53 Aliwashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
54 Ametoa msaada kwa Israeli mtumishi wake, ili kukumbuka kuonesha rehema
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
55 (kama alivyosema kwa baba zetu) kwa Abrahamu na uzao wake milele.” (aiōn g165)
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever." (aiōn g165)
56 Mariamu alikaa na Elizabeti yapata miezi mitatu hivi ndipo akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
57 Sasa wakati ulikuwa umewadia kwa Elizabeti kujifungua mtoto wake na akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.
58 Jirani zake na ndugu zake walisikia jinsi Bwana alivyoikuza rehema kwake, na wakafurahi pamoja naye.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Sasa ilitokea siku ya nane kwamnba walikuja kumtahiri mtoto. Ingewapasa kumwita jina lake, “Zekaria,” kwa kuzingatia jina la baba yake,
It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zechariah, after the name of the father.
60 Lakini mama yake akajibu na kusema, “Hapana; ataitwa Yohana.”
His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."
61 Wakamwambia, hakuna hata mmoja katika ndugu zako anayeitwa kwa jina hili.”
They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
62 Wakamfanyia ishara baba yake kuashiria yeye alitaka jina aitwe nani.
They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 Baba yake akahitaji kibao cha kuandikia, na akaandika, “Jina lake ni Yohana.” Wote wakashangazwa na hili.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed.
64 Ghafla mdomo wake ukafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukawa huru. Akaongea na kumsifu Mungu.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
65 Hofu ikawajia wote walioishi karibu nao. Mambo haya yakaenea katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Yudea.
Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
66 Na wote walioyasikia wakayatunza mioyoni mwao, wakisema, “Mtoto huyu kuwa wa namna gani?” Kwasababu mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.
67 Baba yake Zekaria alijazwa na Roho Mtakatifu na akatoa unabii, akisema,
His father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
68 “Asifiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa sababu amesaidia na alishughulikia wokovu kwa watu wake.
"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people;
69 Ametuinulia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya mtumishi wake Daudi, kutoka miongoi mwa mwa ukoo wa mtumishi wake Daudi,
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
70 kama alivyosema kwa kinywa cha manabii wake waliokuweko katika nyakati za kale. (aiōn g165)
(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), (aiōn g165)
71 Atatuoka kutoka kwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 Atafanya hivi kuonesha rehema kwa baba zetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu,
to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
73 kiapo alichokisema kwa Abrahamu baba yetu.
the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,
74 Aliapa kuthibitha kwamba ingewezekana kumtumikia Yeye bila hofu, baada ya kuokolewa kutoka katika mikononi ya adui zetu.
to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake siku zetu zote.
In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 Ndiyo, na wewe mtoto, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana, kwa kuwa utaenenda mbele za uso wa Bwana ili kumwandalia njia, kuwaandaa watu kwa ajili ya ujio wake,
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his ways,
77 kuwafahamisha watu wake kwamba, wataokolewa kwa njia ya kusamehewa dhambi zao.
to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Hili litatokea kwa sababu ya huruma ya Mungu wetu, sababu ambayo jua tokea juu litatujia,
because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
79 kuangaza kwao wakaao gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti. Atafanya hivi kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye njia ya amani.”
to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."
80 Sasa, yule mtoto akakua na kuwa mwenye nguvu rohoni na alikaa nyikani mpaka siku ya kujitokeza kwake kwa Israeli.
The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

< Luka 1 >