Lukka 1
1 Abantu bangi bagezezzaako okuwandiika ebyafaayo ebyatuukirizibwa mu ffe,
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 ng’abo abaasooka edda bwe baabitubuulira, nga be baali abajulirwa era abaweereza b’Ekigambo okuviira ddala ku lubereberye.
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterwards became bearers of the Message.
3 Bwe ntyo bwe mmaze okukakasiza ddala buli kintu n’obwegendereza okuva ku by’olubereberye okutuukira ddala ku byasembayo, ne ndaba nga kirungi okukuwandiikira ggwe Teefiro ow’ekitiibwa ennyo, ndyoke mbikuwandiikire nga bwe byaliraanagana.
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 Olyoke omanye amazima g’ebyo bye wayigirizibwa.
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 Awo mu biro Kabaka Kerode we yafugira Obuyudaaya, waaliwo kabona erinnya lye Zaakaliya, nga wa mu kitongole kya Abiya, nga mukyala we naye yali wa mu kika kya Alooni, erinnya lye Erisabesi.
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 Abantu abo bombi baali batuukirivu mu maaso ga Katonda, era nga batambulira mu mateeka ga Katonda gonna, ne mu biragiro bya Mukama, nga tebaliiko kya kunenyezebwa.
They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 Bombi baali bakaddiye nnyo, era tebaalina mwana, kubanga Erisabesi yali mugumba.
But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
8 Awo lwali lumu, Zaakaliya bwe yali ng’ali ku mulimu gwe ogw’obwakabona mu maaso ga Katonda, kubanga kye kyali ekiseera eky’oluwalo lwe,
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his Division,
9 n’alondebwa okwoteza obubaane mu yeekaalu ya Mukama, ng’emirimu gy’obwakabona bwe gyabanga.
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 Mu ssaawa eyo ey’okwoteza obubaane ekibiina kyonna eky’abantu baali bakuŋŋaanidde mu luggya lwa Yeekaalu.
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 Awo malayika wa Mukama n’alabikira Zaakaliya, n’ayimirira ku luuyi olwa ddyo olw’ekyoto okwoterezebwa obubaane!
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
12 Zaakaliya n’atya nnyo bwe yalaba malayika, entiisa n’emukwata.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
13 Naye malayika n’amugamba nti, “Totya Zaakaliya! Kubanga okusaba kwo kuwuliddwa, era mukazi wo Erisabesi ajja kukuzaalira omwana wabulenzi. Olimutuuma erinnya Yokaana.
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.
14 Mwembi mulisanyuka nnyo ne mujaguza. Era bangi abalibasanyukirako olw’okuzaalibwa kwe.
He shall be to you a joy and a delight; and many shall rejoice over his birth.
15 Kubanga aliba mukulu mu maaso ga Katonda. Talinywa mwenge wadde ekitamiiza kyonna. Era alijjuzibwa Mwoyo Mutukuvu ng’akyali mu lubuto lwa nnyina.
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,
16 Era alireetera abaana ba Isirayiri bangi okudda eri Mukama Katonda waabwe.
and shall reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 Aliweerereza mu mwoyo ne mu maanyi aga nnabbi Eriya, n’akyusa emitima gy’aba kitaabwe okudda eri abaana baabwe, n’okukyusa emitima gy’abajeemu okudda eri amagezi g’abatuukirivu alyoke ateeketeeke abantu okulindirira Mukama.”
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.”
18 Zaakaliya n’agamba malayika nti, “Ekyo nnaakimanya ntya? Kubanga nze ndi mukadde, ne mukazi wange naye akaddiya nnyo.”
“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 Malayika n’amugamba nti, “Nze Gabulyeri ayimirira mu maaso ga Katonda, era y’antumye okwogera naawe n’okukuleetera amawulire gano.
“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 Naye olw’okuba nga tokkirizza bigambo byange, ojja kuziba omumwa, era togenda kuddamu kwogera okutuusa ng’ebintu ebyo bimaze okubaawo. Kubanga ebigambo byange byonna birimala kutuukirira mu kiseera kyabyo.”
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.”
21 Abantu abaali balindirira ebweru wa Yeekaalu okulaba Zaakaliya ne beewuunya nnyo ekyamulwisaayo ennyo bw’atyo.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
22 Oluvannyuma ennyo bwe yavaayo, yali tasobola kwogera nabo, ne bategeera nga mu Yeekaalu afuniddeyo okwolesebwa. N’asigala ng’azibye omumwa naye ng’abategeeza mu bubonero.
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 N’abeera mu Yeekaalu okutuusa ennaku ze ez’oluwalo lwe zaggwaako n’alyoka addayo eka.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 Ennaku ezo bwe zaayitawo, mukazi we Erisabesi n’aba olubuto, ne yeekwekera ebbanga lya myezi etaano.
After this his wife, Elizabeth, expecting to become a mother, lived in seclusion for five months.
25 N’agamba nti, “Mukama nga wa kisa kingi, kubanga anziggyeeko ensonyi olw’obutaba na mwana.”
“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.”
26 Awo mu mwezi ogw’omukaaga, Katonda n’atuma malayika Gabulyeri mu kibuga Nazaaleesi eky’omu Ggaliraaya
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 eri omuwala erinnya lye Maliyamu, nga tamanyi musajja, eyali ayogerezebwa omusajja erinnya lye Yusufu, ow’omu lulyo lwa Dawudi.
to a maiden there who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
28 Awo Gabulyeri n’alabikira Maliyamu n’amulamusa nti, “Mirembe! Ggwe aweereddwa omukisa! Mukama ali naawe!”
Gabriel came into her presence and said: “Hail, you who have been highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
29 Maliyamu n’atya, n’abulwa n’ekyokwogera, ng’okulamusa okwo kumutabudde, nga n’amakulu gaakwo tagategeera.
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
30 Awo malayika n’amugamba nti, “Totya, Maliyamu, kubanga olabye ekisa mu maaso ga Katonda.
when the angel spoke again: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.
31 Kubanga, laba, olibeera olubuto, olizaala omwana wabulenzi era olimutuuma erinnya, Yesu.
And now, you shall be with child and give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus.
32 Agenda kuba mukulu, wa kitiibwa, era aliyitibwa Omwana w’Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo, era Mukama Katonda alimuwa entebe ey’obwakabaka eya jjajjaawe Dawudi.
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,
and he shall reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever; And to his kingdom there shall be no end.” (aiōn g165)
34 Awo Maliyamu n’abuuza malayika nti, “Ekyo kiriba kitya? Kubanga simanyi musajja.”
“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
35 Malayika n’amuddamu nti, “Mwoyo Mutukuvu alikukkako, n’amaanyi g’Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo galikubuutikira, n’omwana alizaalibwa aliba mutukuvu, Omwana wa Katonda.
“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.’
36 Laba, muganda wo Erisabesi eyayitibwanga omugumba, kati ali lubuto lwa myezi mukaaga mu bukadde bwe.
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 Kubanga buli kigambo kiyinzika eri Katonda.”
for no promise from God shall fail to be fulfilled.”
38 Maliyamu n’addamu nti, “Nze ndi muweereza wa Mukama, kibe ku nze nga bw’ogambye.” Malayika n’ava w’ali, n’agenda.
“I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary; “let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Awo mu biro ebyo, Maliyamu n’ayanguwa okugenda mu nsi ya Buyudaaya ey’ensozi, mu kibuga kyayo.
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
40 N’ayingira mu nnyumba ya Zaakaliya n’alamusa Erisabesi.
and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Naye Maliyamu bwe yalamusa Erisabesi, omwana eyali mu lubuto lwa Erisabesi n’abuukabuuka era n’ajjuzibwa Mwoyo Mutukuvu.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 Erisabesi n’alyoka ayogerera mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka nti, “Oweereddwa omukisa, ggwe mu bakazi, era n’omwana ali mu lubuto lwo aweereddwa omukisa.
and cried aloud: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
43 Nga nfunye ekitiibwa kinene ggwe nnyina wa Mukama wange okujja okunkyalira!
But how have I this honour, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Kubanga bw’oyingidde n’onnamusa, omwana ali mu lubuto lwange oluwulidde ku ddoboozi lyo ne yeekyusakyusa olw’essanyu!
For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
45 Oweereddwa omukisa bw’okkirizza nti ebintu ebyo Mukama bya kwogeddeko birituukirizibwa.”
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46 Maliyamu n’agamba nti,
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 “Emmeeme yange etendereza Mukama. N’omwoyo gwange gusanyukidde Katonda omulokozi wange,
my spirit delights in God my Saviour;
48 Kubanga alabye obuwombeefu bw’omuweereza we. Kubanga laba, okuva kaakano, ab’emirembe gyonna banaampitanga eyaweebwa omukisa.
for he has remembered his servant in her lowliness; And from this hour all ages will count me happy!
49 Kubanga Owaamaanyi ankoledde ebikulu; N’erinnya lye ttukuvu.
Great things has the Almighty done for me; And holy is his name.
50 N’okusaasira kwe kwa mirembe na mirembe eri abo abamutya.
From age to age his mercy rests On those who reverence him.
51 Akoze eby’amaanyi n’omukono gwe. Asaasaanyizza ab’emitima egy’amalala.
Mighty are the deeds of his arm; He scatters the proud with their own devices,
52 Awanudde abafuzi ku ntebe zaabwe ez’obwakabaka n’agulumiza abawombeefu.
he casts down princes from their thrones, and the lowly he uplifts,
53 Abali mu kwetaaga abakkusizza ebirungi. Naye abagagga n’abagoba nga tabawaddeeyo kantu.
the hungry he loads with gifts, and the rich he sends empty away.
54 Adduukiridde omuweereza we Isirayiri, n’ajjukira okusaasira,
He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, Ever mindful of his mercy
(As he promised to our forefathers) For Abraham and his race for ever.” (aiōn g165)
56 Maliyamu n’amala ewa Erisabesi muganda we, ng’emyezi esatu, n’alyoka addayo ewuwe.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57 Awo ekiseera kya Erisabesi eky’okuzaala ne kituuka, n’azaala omwana wabulenzi.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
58 Baliraanwa ba Erisabesi n’ab’ekika kye ne bawulira nga Mukama bw’amulaze ekisa, ne basanyukira wamu naye.
and her neighbours and relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 Awo omwana bwe yaweza ennaku omunaana, ne bajja okumukomola, bonna nga balowooza nti ajja kutuumibwa erinnya lya kitaawe Zaakaliya.
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him ‘Zechariah’ after his father,
60 Naye Erisabesi n’abagamba nti, “Nedda, ajja kutuumibwa Yokaana.”
when his mother interposed: “No, he is to be called John.”
61 Ne bamuwakanya nga bagamba nti, “Mu kika kyo kyonna tetuwulirangayo yatuumibwa linnya eryo.”
“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
62 Ne babuuza kitaawe w’omwana erinnya ly’ayagala atuumibwe.
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 N’abasaba eky’okuwandiikako, n’awandiikako nti, “Erinnya lye ye Yokaana!” Bonna ne beewuunya nnyo!
Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words — ‘His name is John.’ Every one was surprised;
64 Amangwago akamwa ka Zaakaliya ne kagguka, n’olulimi lwe ne lusumulukuka, n’atandika okwogera n’okutendereza Katonda.
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
65 Abantu bonna ab’omu kitundu ekyo ne batya nnyo, era ebigambo ebyo ne bibuna mu nsi yonna ey’e Buyudaaya ey’ensozi.
All their neighbours were awe-struck at this; and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about;
66 Buli eyawulira ebigambo ebyo n’abirowoozaako nnyo mu mutima gwe, ne yeebuuza nti, “Naye omwana ono bw’alikula aliba atya?” Kubanga awatali kubuusabuusa, omukono gwa Mukama gwali wamu naye.
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.
67 Awo Zaakaliya kitaawe, n’ajjula Mwoyo Mutukuvu n’awa obunnabbi nti,
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
68 “Atenderezebwe Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri, kubanga akyalidde abantu be, era abanunudde.
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, Who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
69 Yatuyimusiriza obuyinza obw’obulokozi, mu nnyumba y’omuddu we Dawudi.
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 Okulokolebwa mu balabe baffe, n’okuva mu mukono gw’abo bonna abatukyawa,
Salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us,
72 okulaga bajjajjaffe ekisa, n’ajjukira n’endagaano ye entukuvu,
showing mercy to our forefathers, And mindful of his sacred Covenant.
73 ekirayiro kye yalayirira jjajjaffe Ibulayimu,
This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham —
74 okukituukiriza, n’okulokolebwa okuva mu mukono gw’abalabe baffe awatali kutya, tulyoke tuweereze mu maaso ge,
That we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
75 mu butukuvu ne mu butuukirivu ennaku zonna ez’obulamu bwaffe.
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, In his presence all our days.
76 “Naawe, mwana wange, oliyitibwa nnabbi w’Oyo Ali Waggulu Ennyo; kubanga gw’olikulembera Mukama okumuteekerateekera amakubo ge.
And thou, Child, shalt be called Prophet of the Most High, For thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way,
77 Okumanyisa abantu be obulokozi, obw’okusonyiyibwa ebibi byabwe.
to give his people the knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Byonna birituukirira olw’ekisa kya Katonda waffe ekingi. Emmambya esala eritukyalira okuva mu ggulu,
through the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the Dawn will break on us from Heaven,
79 okwakira abo abatudde mu kizikiza ne mu kisiikirize eky’okufa, okuluŋŋamya ebigere byaffe mu kkubo ery’emirembe.”
to give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, And guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 Omwana n’akula n’ayongerwako amaanyi mu mwoyo, n’abeera mu malungu okutuusa ku lunaku lwe yayolesebwa eri Isirayiri.
The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the Wilds till the time came for his appearance before Israel.
