Mathayo 3
1 Siku hizo Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Uyahudi, akisema,
About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea.
2 “Tubuni, kwa maana Ufalme wa Mbinguni umekaribia.”
"Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand."
3 Huyu ndiye yule aliyenenwa habari zake na nabii Isaya aliposema: “Sauti ya mtu aliaye huko nyikani, ‘Tayarisheni njia kwa ajili ya Bwana, yanyoosheni mapito yake.’”
He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, 'In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'"
4 Basi Yohana alivaa mavazi yaliyotengenezwa kwa singa za ngamia, akiwa na mkanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwitu.
This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.
5 Watu walikuwa wakimwendea kutoka Yerusalemu, Uyahudi yote na nchi zote za kandokando ya Mto Yordani.
Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley--
6 Nao wakaziungama dhambi zao, akawabatiza katika Mto Yordani.
and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.
7 Lakini alipowaona Mafarisayo na Masadukayo wengi wakija ili kubatizwa, aliwaambia: “Ninyi watoto wa nyoka! Ni nani aliyewaonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Basi zaeni matunda yastahiliyo toba.
Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;
9 Wala msidhani mnaweza kusema mioyoni mwenu kuwa, ‘Sisi tunaye Abrahamu, baba yetu.’ Nawaambia kuwa Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Abrahamu watoto kutoka kwa mawe haya.
and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
10 Hata sasa shoka limeshawekwa tayari kwenye shina la kila mti, basi kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri, hukatwa na kutupwa motoni.
And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.
11 “Mimi nawabatiza kwa maji kwa ajili ya toba. Lakini nyuma yangu anakuja yeye aliye na uwezo kuliko mimi, ambaye sistahili hata kuvichukua viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatiza kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
12 Pepeto lake liko mkononi mwake, naye atasafisha sakafu yake ya kupuria, na kuikusanya ngano ghalani na kuyateketeza makapi kwa moto usiozimika.”
His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire."
13 Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka Mto Yordani ili Yohana ambatize.
Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.
14 Lakini Yohana akajitahidi kumzuia, akimwambia, “Mimi ninahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu nikubatize?”
John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Lakini Yesu akamjibu, “Kubali hivi sasa, kwa maana ndivyo itupasavyo kwa njia hii kuitimiza haki yote.” Hivyo Yohana akakubali.
"Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented;
16 Naye Yesu alipokwisha kubatizwa, mara alipotoka ndani ya maji, ghafula mbingu zikafunguka, akamwona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kama hua na kutulia juu yake.
and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him,
17 Nayo sauti kutoka mbinguni ikasema, “Huyu ni Mwanangu mpendwa, ambaye ninapendezwa sana naye.”
while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."
