Luke 1

1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

1 Kwa kuwa watu wengi wamekaa ili kuandika habari za mambo yaliyotukia katikati yetu,

2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

2 kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana,

3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,

3 mimi nami baada ya kuchunguza kila kitu kwa uangalifu kuanzia mwanzo, niliamua kukuandikia habari za mambo hayo, ewe mtukufu Theofilo,

4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

4 ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa.

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.

5 Wakati wa Herode mfalme wa Uyahudi, palikuwa na kuhani mmoja jina lake Zekaria, ambaye alikuwa wa ukoo wa kikuhani wa Abiya. Elizabeti mkewe alikuwa pia mzao wa Aroni.

6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.

6 Zekaria na Elizabeti mkewe wote walikuwa watu wanyofu mbele za Mungu, wakizishika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yote bila lawama.

7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

7 Lakini walikuwa hawana watoto, kwa sababu Elizabeti alikuwa tasa; nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana.

8 One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,

8 Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu,

9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

9 alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.

10 And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.

10 Nao wakati wa kufukiza uvumba ulipowadia, wale wote waliokuwa wamekusanyika ili kuabudu walikuwa nje wakiomba.

11 Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

11 Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

12 Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu.

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Zekaria, kwa maana Mungu amesikia maombi yako. Mkeo Elizabeti atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utamwita jina lake Yohana.

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

14 Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake.

15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

15 Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana, kamwe hataonja mvinyo wala kinywaji chochote cha kulevya, naye atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata kabla ya kuzaliwa kwake.

16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

16 Naye atawageuza wengi wa wana wa Israeli warudi kwa Bwana Mungu wao.

17 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

17 Naye atatangulia mbele za Bwana katika roho na nguvu ya Eliya, ili kuigeuza mioyo ya baba kuwaelekea watoto wao, na wasiotii warejee katika hekima ya wenye haki, ili kuliweka tayari taifa lililoandaliwa kwa ajili ya Bwana.”

18 “How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

18 Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.”

19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

19 Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu, nami nimetumwa kwako ili nikuambie habari hizi njema.

20 And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

20 Basi sasa kwa kuwa hujaamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati wake, utakuwa bubu hadi siku ile mambo haya yatakapotukia.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.

21 Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni.

22 When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

22 Alipotoka akawa hawezi kusema nao, wao wakatambua kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Lakini kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawa anawaashiria kwa mikono.

23 And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.

23 Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake.

24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,

24 Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano.

25 “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

25 Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.”

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

26 Mwezi wa sita baada ya Elizabeti kupata mimba, Mungu alimtuma malaika Gabrieli aende Galilaya katika mji wa Nazareti,

27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

27 kwa mwanamwali bikira aliyekuwa ameposwa na mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu wa nyumba ya Daudi. Jina la huyu mwanamwali bikira ni Maria.

28 The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

28 Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

29 Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?”

30 So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

30 Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu.

31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.

31 Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu.

32 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,

32 Yeye atakuwa mkuu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu Sana. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi baba yake.

33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

33 Ataimiliki nyumba ya Yakobo milele, na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho.”

34 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

34 Maria akamuuliza huyo malaika, “Maadamu mimi ni bikira, jambo hili litawezekanaje?”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

35 Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu atakujilia juu yako, nazo nguvu zake Yeye Aliye Juu Sana zitakufunika kama kivuli. Kwa hiyo mtoto atakayezaliwa atakuwa mtakatifu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu.

36 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.

36 Tazama, jamaa yako Elizabeti amechukua mimba katika uzee wake, na huu ni mwezi wake wa sita, yeye aliyeitwa tasa.

37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

37 Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilowezekana.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

38 Maria akasema, “Tazama, mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.” Kisha malaika akaondoka, akamwacha.

39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,

39 Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi.

40 where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

40 Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

41 Naye Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Maria, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake akaruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu,

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

42 akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa.

43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

43 Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu?

44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

44 Mara tu niliposikia sauti ya salamu yako, mtoto aliyeko tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha.

45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”

45 Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.”

46 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

46 Naye Maria akasema: “Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

47 nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu,

48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.

48 kwa kuwa ameangalia kwa fadhili unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Hakika tangu sasa vizazi vyote vitaniita aliyebarikiwa,

49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.

49 kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.

50 Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

51 Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.

52 Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu.

54 He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,

54 Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu

55 as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”

55 Abrahamu na uzao wake milele, kama alivyowaahidi baba zetu.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

56 Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake.

57 When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

57 Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume.

58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

58 Majirani zake na jamii zake wakasikia jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu, nao wakafurahi pamoja naye.

59 On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.

59 Siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka yule mtoto aitwe Zekaria, ambalo ndilo jina la baba yake.

60 But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”

60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.”

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”

61 Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.”

62 So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.

62 Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani.

63 Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

63 Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.”

64 Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.

64 Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu.

65 All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.

65 Majirani wote wakajawa na hofu ya Mungu, na katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Uyahudi watu walikuwa wakinena juu ya mambo haya yote.

66 And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

66 Kila aliyesikia habari hizi alishangaa akauliza, “Je, mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

67 Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema:

68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.

68 “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

69 Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake,

70 as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,

70 kama alivyonena kwa vinywa vya manabii wake watakatifu tangu zamani,

71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,

71 kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao:

72 to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,

72 ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu,

73 the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

73 kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu:

74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,

74 kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu

75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.

75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote.

76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

76 “Nawe mtoto wangu, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana; kwa kuwa utamtangulia Bwana na kuandaa njia kwa ajili yake,

77 to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

77 kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,

78 kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu, nuru itokayo juu itatuzukia

79 to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

79 ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.

80 Yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu katika roho; akaishi nyikani hadi siku ile alipojionyesha hadharani kwa Waisraeli.