1
Kwa kuwa watu wengi wametia mikono kutunga kwa taratibu habari za mambo yale yaliyotimizwa katikati yetu,
Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2
kama walivyotuhadithia wale waliokuwa mashahidi wenye kuyaona, na watumishi wa lile neno tokea mwanzo,
just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3
nimeona vema mimi nami, kwa kuwa nimejitafutia usahihi wa mambo hayo yote tangu mwanzo, kukuandikia kwa taratibu, Theofilo mtukufu,
Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4
upate kujua hakika ya mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5
Zamani za Herode, mfalme wa Uyahudi, palikuwa na kuhani mmoja, jina lake Zakaria, wa zamu ya Abiya, na mkewe alikuwa mmojawapo wa uzao wa Haruni, jina lake Elisabeti.
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.
6
Na wote wawili walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu, wakiendelea katika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yake bila lawama.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7
Nao walikuwa hawana mtoto, maana Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, na wote wawili ni wazee sana.
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8
Basi ikawa, alipokuwa akifanya kazi ya ukuhani katika taratibu ya zamu yake mbele za Mungu,
One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9
kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya ukuhani, kura ilimwangukia kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10
Na makutano yote ya watu walikuwa wakisali nje saa ya kufukiza uvumba.
And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11
Akatokewa na malaika wa Bwana, amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia.
Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12
Zakaria alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13
Lakini yule malaika akamwambia, Usiogope, Zakaria, maana dua yako imesikiwa, na mkeo Elisabeti atakuzalia mtoto mwanamume, na jina lake utamwita Yohana.
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.
14
Nawe utakuwa na furaha na shangwe, na watu wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15
Kwa sababu atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana; hatakunywa divai wala kileo; naye atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata tangu tumboni mwa mamaye.
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.
16
Na wengi katika Waisraeli atawarejeza kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
17
Naye atatangulia mbele zake katika roho ya Eliya, na nguvu zake, ili kuigeuza mioyo ya baba iwaelekee watoto, na kuwatilia waasi akili za wenye haki, na kumwekea Bwana tayari watu waliotengenezwa.
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.”
18
Zakaria akamwambia malaika, Nitajuaje neno hilo? Maana mimi ni mzee, na mke wangu ni mkongwe wa siku nyingi.
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19
Malaika akamjibu akamwambia, Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu; nami nimetumwa niseme nawe, na kukupasha habari hizi njema.
“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.
20
Na tazama! Utakuwa bubu, usiweze kusema, mpaka siku ile yatakapotukia hayo, kwa sababu hukuyasadiki maneno yangu; nayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati wake.
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.”
21
Na wale watu walikuwa wakimngojea Zakaria, wakastaajabia kukawia kwake mle hekaluni.
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22
Alipotoka hali hawezi kusema nao, walitambua ya kuwa ameona maono ndani ya hekalu, naye aliendelea kuwaashiria akakaa bubu.
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.
23
Ikawa siku za huduma yake zilipokuwa zimetimia akaenda nyumbani kwake.
And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24
Hata baada ya siku zile mkewe Elisabeti alichukua mimba akatawa miezi mitano, akisema,
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25
Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana katika siku zile alizoniangalia ili kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
26
Mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu kwenda mpaka mji wa Galilaya, jina lake Nazareti,
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27
kwa mwanamwali bikira aliyekuwa ameposwa na mtu, jina lake Yusufu, wa mbari ya Daudi; na jina lake bikira huyo ni Mariamu.
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.
28
Akaingia nyumbani kwake akasema, Salamu, uliyepewa neema, Bwana yu pamoja nawe.
The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29
Naye akafadhaika sana kwa ajili ya maneno yake, akawaza moyoni, Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30
Malaika akamwambia, Usiogope, Mariamu, kwa maana umepata neema kwa Mungu.
So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31
Tazama, utachukua mimba na kuzaa mtoto mwanamume; na jina lake utamwita Yesu.
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32
Huyo atakuwa mkuu, ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye juu, na Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi, baba yake.
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,
33
Ataimiliki nyumba ya Yakobo hata milele, na ufalme wake utakuwa hauna mwisho.
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
34
Mariamu akamwambia malaika, Litakuwaje neno hili, maana sijui mume?
“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35
Malaika akajibu akamwambia, Roho Mtakatifu atakujilia juu yako, na nguvu zake Aliye juu zitakufunika kama kivuli; kwa sababu hiyo hicho kitakachozaliwa kitaitwa kitakatifu, Mwana wa Mungu.
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.
36
Tena, tazama, jamaa yako Elisabeti naye amechukua mimba ya mtoto mwanamume katika uzee wake; na mwezi huu ni wa sita kwake yeye aliyeitwa tasa;
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
37
kwa kuwa hakuna neno lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.
For no word from God will ever fail.”
38
Mariamu akasema, Tazama, mimi ni mjakazi wa Bwana; na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema. Kisha malaika akaondoka akaenda zake.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
39
Basi, Mariamu akaondoka siku hizo, akaenda hata nchi ya milimani kwa haraka mpaka mji mmoja wa Yuda,
In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40
akaingia nyumbani kwa Zakaria akamwamkia Elisabeti.
where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41
Ikawa Elisabeti aliposikia kule kuamkia kwake Mariamu, kitoto kichanga kikaruka ndani ya tumbo lake; Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu;
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42
akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, Umebarikiwa wewe katika wanawake, naye mzao wa tumbo lako amebarikiwa.
In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43
Limenitokeaje neno hili, hata mama wa Bwana wangu anijilie mimi?
And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44
Maana sauti ya kuamkia kwako ilipoingia masikioni mwangu, kitoto kichanga kikaruka kwa shangwe ndani ya tumbo langu.
For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45
Naye heri aliyesadiki; kwa maana yatatimizwa aliyoambiwa na Bwana.
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
46
Mariamu akasema, Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47
Na roho yangu imemfurahia Mungu, Mwokozi wangu;
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48
Kwa kuwa ameutazama Unyonge wa mjakazi wake. Kwa maana, tazama, tokea sasa Vizazi vyote wataniita mbarikiwa;
For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
49
Kwa kuwa Mwenye nguvu amenitendea makuu, Na jina lake ni takatifu.
For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50
Na rehema zake hudumu vizazi hata vizazi Kwa hao wanaomcha.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51
Amefanya nguvu kwa mkono wake; Amewatawanya walio na kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52
Amewaangusha wakuu katika viti vyao vya enzi; Na wanyonge amewakweza.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53
Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, Na wenye mali amewaondoa mikono mitupu.
He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54
Amemsaidia Israeli, mtumishi wake; Ili kukumbuka rehema zake;
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55
Kama alivyowaambia baba zetu, Ibrahimu na uzao wake hata milele.
as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56
Mariamu akakaa naye kadiri ya miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi kwenda nyumbani kwake.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57
Ikawa, siku za kuzaa kwake Elisabeti zilipotimia, alizaa mtoto mwanamume.
When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58
Wakasikia jirani zake na jamaa zake ya kwamba Bwana amemwongezea rehema zake, wakafurahi pamoja naye.
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59
Ikawa siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto; wakataka kumpa jina la babaye, Zakaria.
On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60
Mamaye akajibu akasema La, sivyo; bali, ataitwa Yohana.
But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61
Wakamwambia, Hapana mtu katika jamaa zako aitwaye jina hilo.
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62
Wakamwashiria babaye wajue atakavyo kumwita.
So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63
Akataka kibao, akaandika ya kwamba, Jina lake ni Yohana. Wakastaajabu wote.
Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64
Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake pia, akaanza kunena akimsifu Mungu.
Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65
Wakaingiwa na hofu wote waliokuwa wakikaa karibu nao; na mambo hayo yote yakatangazwa katika nchi yote ya milima milima ya Uyahudi.
All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66
Na wote walioyasikia wakayaweka mioyoni mwao, wakisema, Mtoto huyu atakuwa wa namna gani? Kwa sababu mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
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.
67
Na Zakaria, baba yake, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatabiri, akisema,
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68
Atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, Kwa kuwa amewajia watu wake, na kuwakomboa.
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69
Ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu Katika mlango wa Daudi, mtumishi wake.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70
Kama alivyosema tangu mwanzo Kwa kinywa cha manabii wake watakatifu;
as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71
Tuokolewe na adui zetu Na mikononi mwao wote wanaotuchukia;
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72
Ili kuwatendea rehema baba zetu, Na kulikumbuka agano lake takatifu;
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73
Uapo aliomwapia Ibrahimu, baba yetu,
the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74
Ya kwamba atatujalia sisi, Tuokoke mikononi mwa adui zetu, Na kumwabudu pasipo hofu,
deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75
Kwa utakatifu na kwa haki Mbele zake siku zetu zote.
in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76
Nawe, mtoto, utaitwa nabii wake Aliye juu, Kwa maana utatangulia mbele za uso wa Bwana umtengenezee njia zake;
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,
77
Uwajulishe watu wake wokovu, Katika kusamehewa dhambi zao.
to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78
Kwa njia ya rehema za Mungu wetu, Ambazo kwa hizo mwangaza utokao juu umetufikia,
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79
Kuwaangaza wakaao katika giza na uvuli wa mauti, Na kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye njia ya amani.
to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80
Yule mtoto akakua, akaongezeka nguvu rohoni, akakaa majangwani hata siku ya kutokea kwake kwa Israeli.
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.