Matthew 3

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

1 Siku hizo Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja akihubiri katika nyika ya Uyahudi, akisema,

2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

2 “Tubuni, kwa maana Ufalme wa Mbinguni umekaribia.”

3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

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.’”

4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

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.

5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.

5 Watu walikuwa wakimwendea kutoka Yerusalemu, Uyahudi yote na nchi zote za kandokando ya Mto Yordani.

6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

6 Nao wakaziungama dhambi zao, akawabatiza katika Mto Yordani.

7 But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

7 Lakini alipowaona Mafarisayo na Masadukayo wengi wakija ili kubatizwa, aliwaambia: “Ninyi watoto wa nyoka! Ni nani aliyewaonya kuikimbia ghadhabu inayokuja?

8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

8 Basi zaeni matunda yastahiliyo toba.

9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

9 Wala msidhani mnaweza kusema mioyoni mwenu kuwa, ‘Sisi tunaye Abrahamu, baba yetu.’ Nawaambia kuwa Mungu anaweza kumwinulia Abrahamu watoto kutoka kwa mawe haya.

10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

10 Hata sasa shoka limeshawekwa tayari kwenye shina la kila mti, basi kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri, hukatwa na kutupwa motoni.

11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with 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.

12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

12 Pepeto lake liko mkononi mwake, naye atasafisha sakafu yake ya kupuria, na kuikusanya ngano ghalani na kuyateketeza makapi kwa moto usiozimika.”

13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

13 Kisha Yesu akaja kutoka Galilaya mpaka Mto Yordani ili Yohana ambatize.

14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

14 Lakini Yohana akajitahidi kumzuia, akimwambia, “Mimi ninahitaji kubatizwa na wewe, nawe waja kwangu nikubatize?”

15 “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.

15 Lakini Yesu akamjibu, “Kubali hivi sasa, kwa maana ndivyo itupasavyo kwa njia hii kuitimiza haki yote.” Hivyo Yohana akakubali.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.

16 Naye Yesu alipokwisha kubatizwa, mara alipotoka ndani ya maji, ghafula mbingu zikafunguka, akamwona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kama hua na kutulia juu yake.

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

17 Nayo sauti kutoka mbinguni ikasema, “Huyu ni Mwanangu mpendwa, ambaye ninapendezwa sana naye.”