Luhka 1
1 Ka püi Theophiluh aw; ajana thawn khawikia mawng cun, khyang khawjah naw mi ksunga pyena ngthu yu khai hea ana ktha na khawiki he.
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,
2 Akcüka ana hmu u lü ngthu ana sang khawiki he naw mi veia ami pyen ana yuki he.
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterward became bearers of the message.
3 Acunakyase nang angvai aw, angsinga ka ngaihkyu käna, acuna mawng cun, angsinga na hama yuk üng daw khaia ngaikyu veng.
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,
4 Ajana ngthu ami ning mthei he cen ngthungtak ni ti na ksingnak vaia ka yuka kyaki ni.
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.
5 Judah khawa sangpuxang Herod a bawi kcün üng, ktaiyü Abijaha khuikyawng üngka ktaiyü mat Zakharih ngming naki awmki; acun naw ktaiyüa khuikyawng üngka a khyunak, a ngming cun Elizabeta kyaki.
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.
6 Ani nghngih Pamhnama mik hmuha akdawa xüngseiki xawi, pyen vai am hlü khaia Bawipa ngthupet la, ngthummkhän avan läki xawi.
They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 Elizabet cingkia kyase am ca ni lü, aktäa xüki xawi.
But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
8 Mhmüp mat üng Zakharih cun ktaiyüa khüih khawia kba Pamhnama Temple k'uma a khüih k'um üng,
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his division,
9 ktaiyüa thuma Bawipa Temple k'uma lut lü, ng'uinghnam mkhih khaia xüa kyaki.
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;
10 Acunüng, ng'uinghnam a mkhih k'um üng khyang he ami van kpunga ktaiyüki he.
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 Acunüng, Bawipa khankhawngsä mat Zakhariha veia ngdang law lü, ng'uinghnam mkhihnaka kpat lama ngdüi lawki.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
12 Zakharih naw khankhawngsä a hmuh üng kyüh lü ngxetki.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
13 Acunüng, khankhawngsä naw, “Zakharih, ä kyüa, na ktaiyünak ngjak pänga kya ve, acunakyase na khyu Elizabet naw cangpyang mat ca na se, Johana na sui khai.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, whom you will call by the name John.
14 Nang jekyai lü na hlim khai, khyang khawjah ania hmi lawa phäha jekyai khai he.
He will be to you a joy and a delight; and many will rejoice over his birth.
15 Ani cun Bawipa ngaiha kyäp khai, ju naki i am ei aw khai. A nua puk k'um üng tün lü ngcimcaihkia ngmüimkhya am be khai.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he will not drink any wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth,
16 Acunüng ani naw Isarela ca he khawjah, ami Bawipa Pamhnama veia jah nghlat sak be khai.
and will reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 Ani naw pa he la ca he alanga jah lawpüi be lü, am cingcaihki he ngsungpyunak ksingnaka lam üng jah nghlat sak be lü, khyang he Pamhnama phäha jah ngtünngceisak khai, Elijaha ngmüimkhya la khyaihbahnak am Pamhnama maa cit khai,” a ti.
He will 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.”
18 Acunüng Zakharih naw khankhawngsä üng, “Ikba acun ka ksing vai aw? Kei pakse ni, ka xü pängki, ka khyu pi nukpüi lü, a khawkum xü pängki ni,” a ti.
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”
19 Khankhawngsä naw, “Kei Kabriel, Pamhnama ma ngdüikia ka kyaki, nanga veia hina jekyainaka ngthu lawpüi khaia tüih lawa ka kyaki.
“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.
20 Cunsepi Ngaia, ka ngthu akcün üng kümkawi law khai am na juma phäha, hina ka ngthu am a kümkawi law ham üng am ngthuhei thei lü, na ang khai,” a ti.
And now you will 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.”
21 Khyang he Zakharih kpunga ana ngängki he, Temple k'uma a di lawa phäha aktäa cäiki he.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
22 Acunüng, a luh law be üng ami veia am ngthuhei thei lü, a kut am jah kha hü se, Temple k'uma mdannak hmukia ami ksing.
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.
23 Acunüng, ktaiyü a binaka kcün ngpäng se a ima cit beki.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 Acunkäna a khyu Elizabet m’yai law lü im k'uma khya mhma ngküpki.
After this his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and lived in seclusion for five months.
25 Acunüng Elizabet naw “Khyang hea ami na ksekhanak Pamhnam naw na kpüi lü a na lawhin pet ni,” a ti.
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said, “he has shown me kindness and taken away the public disgrace of childlessness under which I have been living.”
26 Acunüng, akhya khyuk üng Pamhnam naw khankhawngsä Kabriel Kalile khaw, Nazareta a tüih.
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 Acuna nglami cun Davita pakhui üngka, Josep ngming nakia khyu vaia ami mkhyäpa kyaki. Nglamia ngming cun Marih naki.
to a maiden there who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
28 Acunüng, khankhawngsä naw Mariha veia lut lü, “Pamhnama hlüei la jekyainak, dim’yenak am awma, Pamhnam na veia awm ve, nghnumi he avan üng na josen säih ve,” a ti.
Gabriel came into her presence and greeted her, saying, “You have been shown great favor – the Lord is with you.”
29 Acuna khankhawngsäng naw i a ti hlünak am ksing lü aktäa cäi lü kyüki.
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
30 Acunüng, khankhawngsä naw, “Marih aw, ä kyüa; Pamhnam na veia dawki ni,
when the angel spoke again, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 m’yai lü, kpamica na ca khai, a ngming Jesuha na sui khai.
And now, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.
32 Ani cun kyäpsawk law se, ak'hlüng säiha Capa ti khai he, Bawipa Pamhnam naw a pu Davita mäiha sangpuxanga pawh law khai.
The child will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David,
and he will reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there will be no end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Marih naw, khankhawngsä üng, “Kei am ka ceimahki hin ikba acunkba kya thei khai aw?” a ti.
“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
35 Khankhawngsä naw msang lü, “Ngmüimkhya Ngcim na khana pha law se, hlüng säihkia johit naw ning hlawp tawm law khai, acunakyase hmi law khaia khyang ngcim pi Mhnama Capa ti khai he.
“The Holy Spirit will descend on you,” answered the angel, “and the Power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore the child will be called ‘holy,’ and ‘Son of God.’
36 Acunüng ngaia, cingki ami ti khawi na püi Elizabet pi a xü käna kpamica m’yai na se atuh khya khyuk law pängki.
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;
37 Pamhnama am a ti thei i am awm naw,” a ti.
for no promise from God will fail to be fulfilled.”
38 Marih naw, “Kei Bawipa ana m’ya nu ni, na ngthua kba ka khana kya kawm,” ti se, acunüng khankhawngsä naw a ceh tak.
“I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary. “Let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Acunüng, Marih tho law lü, angxita mcunga awmkia mlüh, Judah khawnu mata cit lü,
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
40 Zakhariha ima lutki naw, Elizabet a hnukset.
and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Acunüng, Elizabet naw Marih a hnukset a sim la, a puk k'uma naca ngsün law se, Elizabet ngmüimkhya Ngcim am be law lü,
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 angsanga, “Nghnumi he avan üng na jo sen säih ve, na canak vai pi a jo sen ve!
and cried aloud, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
43 Ka Bawipaa nu, ka veia na lawnak sen vaia ta ia ngjo ni?
But how have I this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Na na hnuksetnak ka hnga üng a luh la hnasen jekyai lü ka k'uma ngsün ve.
For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
45 Jumeikia nghnumi pi a jo sen ve, isetiakyaküng a veia Bawipa naw ngthu a pyen he cun kümkawi law khai hea akya phäha kyaki” a ti.
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46 Acunüng Marih naw, “Ka mlungmthin naw Bawipa mküimto ve;
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 ka ngmüimkhya pi na küikyankia Pamhnama khana aktäa jekyai ve,
and my spirit delights in God my Savior,
48 a na m'yanua hnemnak hmu lü, na süm ve; atuh üng tün lü, khyang avan naw a jo senki na ti na khai he.
for he has looked with favor on his humble servant girl. From now on all generations will call me blessed!
49 Akyan säih naw ka khana akyäp säih na pawh pe ve, A ngming pi, ngcimcaiki ni;
“For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 A m’yeneinak cun angsawn täh se amät kyühki hea khana awmsaki.
He has mercy on those who revere him in every generation.
51 “A ban am a kyannak mdang lü, khyang awhcaki he cun ami ngaikyunak am akcea a jah ngtaisak.
“Mighty are the deeds of his arm! He has scattered the self-satisfied proud,
52 “Ami bawingawhnak üng ngawki hea bawi he a hnemnaka jah khya lü, ami mlung hnemsaki he a jah mhlünmtai.
he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and he uplifts the humble,
53 “Ami ei cawiki he, akdaw am jah kphü lü, bawimangki he, ami kut xawnga a jah tüih.
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 “Mi pupa he, a jah na khyütamnakpüi kümkawisak lü, a m'ya Isarel he jah kpüi khaia law ve.
“He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy,
as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Acunüng Marih, Elizabeta veia khya kthum awm lü a ima cit beki.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57 Elizabet na a hmi vai kha law se, kpamicaa caki.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
58 A impeiloceng he la, a paca he naw, Pamhnam naw a m'yenei ni ti ksing u lü, aktäa ami jekyaipüi.
and her neighbors and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 Acunüng pat mat küm se, naca a vun mawih vaia law u lü, a ngming a pa ngminga kba Zakhariha sui vaia ami bü.
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father,
60 Acunüng a nu naw, “Ka! Johana sui vai,” a ti.
when his mother spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.”
61 Acunüng amimi naw, “Na ngsawn, na khui üngka, acunkba ngming naki u am ve khawi naw,” ami ti.
“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
62 Acunüng a pa ami kut am, “A ngming ua sui üng daw khai aw?” tia ami kthäh.
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 Zakharih naw, a yuknak vai lungphek kthäh lü, “A ngming Johan,” ti lü yu se, ami van cäi lawki he.
Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words – ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was surprised
64 Acunüng angxita ngthuhei law be thei lü Pamhnam mküimto lawki.
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
65 Acunüng, ami van cäicah lawki he. Acuna mawng cun Judah khaw avan üng ngthang hüki.
All their neighbors were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about.
66 Acun ngjaki avan naw, ami mlung k'uma ta u lü, “Acuna hnasen cun ia mäih vai ni?” ami ti. Ani cun Pamhnam naw a johit am awmpüiki tia ami van naw ksingki he.
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.
67 Johana pa Zakharih cun ngmüimkhya Ngcim am be lü,
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
68 “Isarel hea Bawipa Pamhnam cun mi mhlünmtai vai, a khyang he jah law si lü, jah mhlät be ve,
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
69 A m'ya Davita ngsawn he ak'hlüngtaia Küikyan bawi jah pe ve,
and has raised up for us the strength of our salvation in the house of his servant David –
as he promised by the lips of his holy prophets of old – (aiōn g165)
71 mi ye he la jah hnengkiea kut üngka naw la küikyan khaia,
salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,
72 mi pupa hea veia m'yeneinaka ngthumkhän ana tak a kümsak vai la, a khyütam ngcim a sümnak vaia,
showing mercy to our ancestors, and mindful of his sacred covenant.
73 mi pa Abrahama veia a khyütamnaka kba,
This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham –
74 mi ye hea kut üng mi lät lü, am kyü u lü,
that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
75 mi xüna küt üng ngcimcaihnak la, ngsungpyunak am a ma a khut mi pawhnak vaia,
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days.
76 nang ka ca, Bawipa a lam pyang khaia na cit ma khaia kyase, ak'hlüng säih Mhnama sahma ning ti na khai he,
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his way,
77 ami katnak he jah mhlätnak am, küikyanak, a khyang he üng jah ksingsak khai,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 mi Pamhnam cun m'yeneinak la hniphnawinak am bebang lü mi khana küikyanaka nghngi vai law sak khai,
through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven,
79 a nghmüpnak la, thihnaka k'uma awmki he, akvai jah pe khai la, mlung üpnaka lama jah cehpüi khai” a ti.
to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 Acunüng, a nghmaw cun ngbaü law lü, a mlung ngaihnak kyan law ksetam lü, Isarel hea veia am a ngdang law hama üng khawkhyawng khawa awmki.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds until the time came for his appearance before Israel.
