Luka 1
1 Mheshimiwa Theofilo: Watu wengi wamejitahidi kuandika juu ya mambo yale yaliyotendeka kati yetu.
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 Waliandika kama tulivyoelezwa na wale walioyaona kwa macho yao tangu mwanzo, na waliotangaza ujumbe huo.
just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and afterward became bearers of the message.
3 Inafaa nami pia, Mheshimiwa, baada ya kuchunguza kwa makini mambo yote tangu mwanzo, nikuandikie kwa mpango,
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 ili nawe uweze kujionea mwenyewe ukweli wa mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
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 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.
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 Wote wawili walikuwa wanyofu mbele ya Mungu, wakiishi kwa kufuata amri na maagizo yote ya Bwana bila lawama.
They were both righteous people, who lived blameless lives, guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
7 Lakini hawakuwa wamejaliwa watoto kwa vile Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.
But they had no child, Elizabeth being barren; and both of them were advanced in years.
8 Siku moja, ilipokuwa zamu yake ya kutoa huduma ya ukuhani mbele ya Mungu,
One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his division,
9 Zakariya alichaguliwa kwa kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, kuingia hekaluni ili afukize ubani.
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 Watu, umati mkubwa, walikuwa wamekusanyika nje wanasali wakati huo wa kufukiza ubani.
and, as it was the Hour of Incense, the people were all praying outside.
11 Malaika wa Bwana akamtokea humo ndani, akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia ubani.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the Altar of Incense.
12 Zakariya alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awe-struck.
13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Zakariya, usiogope, kwa maana sala yako imesikilizwa, na Elisabeti mkeo atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utampa jina Yohane.
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 Utakuwa na furaha kubwa na watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.
He will be to you a joy and a delight; and many will rejoice over his birth.
15 Atakuwa mkuu mbele ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai wala kileo, atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake.
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 Atawaelekeza wengi wa watu wa Israeli kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
and will reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.
17 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.”
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 Zakariya akamwambia huyo malaika, “Ni kitu gani kitakachonihakikishia jambo hilo? Mimi ni mzee, hali kadhalika na mke wangu.”
“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 Malaika akamjibu, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele ya Mungu, na nimetumwa niseme nawe, nikuletee hii habari njema.
“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 Sikiliza, utakuwa bubu kwa sababu huyasadiki haya maneno yatakayotimia kwa wakati wake. Hutaweza kusema mpaka hayo niliyokuambia yatakapotimia.”
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 Wakati huo, wale watu walikuwa wanamngoja Zakariya huku wakishangaa juu ya kukawia kwake Hekaluni.
Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple.
22 Alipotoka nje, hakuweza kusema nao. Ikawa dhahiri kwao kwamba alikuwa ameona maono Hekaluni. Lakini akawa anawapa ishara kwa mikono, akabaki bubu.
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 Zamu yake ya kuhudumu ilipokwisha, alirudi nyumbani.
And, as soon as his term of service was finished, he returned home.
24 Baadaye Elisabeti mkewe akapata mimba. Akajificha nyumbani kwa muda wa miezi mitano, akisema:
After this his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and lived in seclusion for five months.
25 “Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana; ameniangalia na kuniondolea aibu niliyokuwa nayo mbele ya watu.”
“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 Mnamo mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu aende kwenye mji uitwao Nazareti huko Galilaya,
Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27 kwa msichana mmoja aitwaye Maria, mchumba wa mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu, wa ukoo wa Daudi.
to a maiden there who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
28 Malaika akamwendea, akamwambia, “Salamu Maria! Umejaliwa neema nyingi! Bwana yu pamoja nawe.”
Gabriel came into her presence and greeted her, saying, “You have been shown great favor – the Lord is with you.”
29 Maria aliposikia maneno hayo alifadhaika sana, akawaza: maneno haya yanamaanisha nini?
Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean,
30 Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Maria, kwa maana Mungu amekujalia neema.
when the angel spoke again, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 Utachukua mimba, utamzaa mtoto wa kiume na utampa jina Yesu.
And now, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.
32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu Mkuu. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha mfalme Daudi, babu yake.
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 Maria akamjibu, “Yatawezekanaje hayo, hali mimi ni bikira?”
“How can this be?” Mary asked the angel. “For I have no husband.”
35 Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu atakushukia, na uwezo wake Mungu Mkuu utakujia kama kivuli; kwa sababu hiyo, mtoto atakayezaliwa ataitwa Mtakatifu, Mwana wa Mungu.
“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 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.
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 Kwa maana hakuna jambo lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.”
for no promise from God will fail to be fulfilled.”
38 Maria akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana, nitendewe kama ulivyosema.” Kisha yule malaika akaenda zake.
“I am the servant of the Lord,” exclaimed Mary. “Let it be with me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
39 Siku kadhaa baadaye, Maria alifunga safari akaenda kwa haraka hadi mji mmoja ulioko katika milima ya Yuda.
Soon after this Mary set out, and made her way quickly into the hill-country, to a town in Judah;
40 Huko, aliingia katika nyumba ya Zakariya, akamsalimu Elisabeti.
and there she went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Mara tu Elisabeti aliposikia sauti ya Maria, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwake Elisabeti akaruka. Naye Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifiu,
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit,
42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa, “Umebarikiwa kuliko wanawake wote, naye utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.
and cried aloud, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child!
43 Mimi ni nani hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?
But how have I this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 Nakwambia, mara tu niliposikia sauti yako, mtoto mchanga tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.
For, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child moved within me with delight!
45 Heri yako wewe uliyesadiki kwamba yatatimia yale Bwana aliyokwambia.”
Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled.”
46 Naye Maria akasema,
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,
47 “Moyo wangu wamtukuza Bwana, roho yangu inafurahi kwa sababu ya Mungu Mwokozi wangu.
and my spirit delights in God my Savior,
48 Kwa kuwa amemwangalia kwa huruma mtumishi wake mnyenyekevu. Hivyo tangu sasa watu wote wataniita mwenye heri.
for he has looked with favor on his humble servant girl. From now on all generations will call me blessed!
49 Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu amenitendea makuu, jina lake ni takatifu.
“For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 Huruma yake kwa watu wanaomcha hudumu kizazi hata kizazi.
He has mercy on those who revere him in every generation.
51 Amefanya mambo makuu kwa mkono wake: amewatawanya wenye kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
“Mighty are the deeds of his arm! He has scattered the self-satisfied proud,
52 amewashusha wenye nguvu kutoka vitu vyao vya enzi, akawakweza wanyenyekevu.
he has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and he uplifts the humble,
53 Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, matajiri amewaacha waende mikono mitupu.
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 Amemsaidia Israeli mtumishi wake, akikumbuka huruma yake.
“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 Maria alikaa na Elisabeti kwa muda upatao miezi mitatu, halafu akarudi nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
57 Wakati wa kujifungua kwake Elisabeti ulifika, akajifungua mtoto wa kiume.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son;
58 Jirani na watu wa jamaa yake walipopata habari kwamba Bwana amemwonea huruma kubwa, walifurahi pamoja naye.
and her neighbors and relatives, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.
59 Halafu siku ya nane walifika kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka kumpa jina la baba yake, Zakariya.
A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father,
60 Lakini mama yake akasema, “La, sivyo, bali ataitwa Yohane.”
when his mother spoke up, “No, he is to be called John.”
61 Wakamwambia, “Mbona hakuna yeyote katika ukoo wake mwenye jina hilo?”
“You have no relation of that name!” they exclaimed;
62 Basi, wakamwashiria baba yake wapate kujua alitaka mtoto wake apewe jina gani.
and they made signs to the child’s father, to find out what he wished the child to be called.
63 Naye akaomba kibao cha kuandikia, akaandika hivi: “Yohane ndilo jina lake.” Wote wakastaajabu.
Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words – ‘His name is John.’ Everyone was surprised
64 Papo hapo midomo na ulimi wake Zakariya vikafunguliwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.
and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.
65 Hofu ikawaingia jirani wote, na habari hizo zikaenea kila mahali katika milima ya Yudea.
All their neighbors were awe-struck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judea the whole story was much talked about.
66 Wote waliosikia mambo hayo waliyatafakari mioyoni mwao wakisema: “Mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana, hakika nguvu ya Bwana ilikuwa pamoja naye.
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 Zakariya, baba yake mtoto, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatamka ujumbe wa Mungu:
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, speaking under inspiration, said:
68 “Asifiwe Bwana Mungu wa Israeli, kwani amekuja kuwasaidia na kuwakomboa watu wake.
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance,
69 Ametupatia Mwokozi shujaa, mzawa wa Daudi mtumishi wake.
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 kwamba atatuokoa mikononi mwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia.
salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us,
72 Alisema atawahurumia wazee wetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu.
showing mercy to our ancestors, and mindful of his sacred covenant.
73 Kiapo alichomwapia Abrahamu baba yetu, ni kwamba atatujalia sisi
This was the oath which he swore to our ancestor Abraham –
74 tukombolewe kutoka adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia bila hofu,
that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies,
75 kwa unyofu na uadilifu mbele yake, siku zote za maisha yetu.
and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days.
76 Nawe mwanangu, utaitwa, nabii wa Mungu Mkuu, utamtangulia Bwana kumtayarishia njia yake;
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his way,
77 kuwatangazia watu kwamba wataokolewa kwa kuondolewa dhambi zao.
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Mungu wetu ni mpole na mwenye huruma. Atasababisha pambazuko angavu la ukombozi litujie kutoka juu,
through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven,
79 na kuwaangazia wote wanaokaa katika giza kuu la kifo, aongoze hatua zetu katika njia ya amani.”
to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace.”
80 Mtoto akakua, akapata nguvu rohoni. Alikaa jangwani mpaka alipojionyesha rasmi kwa watu wa Israeli.
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds until the time came for his appearance before Israel.
