1
Ikawa Yesu alipokwisha kuwaagiza wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili, alitoka huko kwenda kufundisha na kuhubiri katika miji yao.
After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2
Naye Yohana aliposikia huko gerezani matendo yake Kristo, alituma wanafunzi wake, kumwuliza,
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
3
Wewe ndiwe yule ajaye, au tumtazamie mwingine?
to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
4
Yesu akajibu akawaambia, Nendeni mkamweleze Yohana mnayoyasikia na kuyaona;
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5
vipofu wanapata kuona, viwete wanakwenda, wenye ukoma wanatakaswa, viziwi wanasikia, wafu wanafufuliwa, na maskini wanahubiriwa habari njema.
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
6
Naye heri awaye yote asiyechukizwa nami.
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
7
Na hao walipokwenda zao, Yesu alianza kuwaambia makutano habari za Yohana, Mlitoka kwenda nyikani kutazama nini? Unyasi ukitikiswa na upepo?
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
8
Lakini mlitoka kwenda kuona nini? Mtu aliyevikwa mavazi mororo? Tazama, watu wavaao mavazi mororo wamo katika nyumba za wafalme.
Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces.
9
Lakini kwa nini mlitoka? Ni kuona nabii? Naam, nawaambia, na aliye mkuu zaidi ya nabii.
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10
Huyo ndiye aliyeandikiwa haya, Tazama, mimi namtuma mjumbe wangu Mbele ya uso wako, Atakayeitengeneza njia yako mbele yako.
This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
11
Amin, nawaambieni, Hajaondokea mtu katika wazao wa wanawake aliye mkuu kuliko Yohana Mbatizaji; walakini aliye mdogo katika ufalme wa mbinguni ni mkuu kuliko yeye.
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12
Tangu siku za Yohana Mbatizaji hata sasa ufalme wa mbinguni hupatikana kwa nguvu, nao wenye nguvu wauteka.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.
13
Kwa maana manabii wote na torati walitabiri mpaka wakati wa Yohana.
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14
Na ikiwa mnataka kukubali, yeye ndiye Eliya atakayekuja.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15
Mwenye masikio, na asikie.
He who has ears, let him hear.
16
Lakini nitakifananisha na nini kizazi hiki? Kimefanana na watoto wanaokaa sokoni, wanaowaita wenzao, wakisema,
To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17
Tuliwapigia filimbi, wala hamkucheza; tuliomboleza, wala hamkulia.
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18
Maana Yohana alikuja, hali wala hanywi, wakasema, Yuna pepo.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
19
Mwana wa Adamu alikuja, akila na kunywa, wakasema, Mlafi huyu, na mlevi, rafiki yao watoza ushuru na wenye dhambi! Na hekima imejulikana kuwa ina haki kwa kazi zake.
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”
20
Ndipo akaanza kuikemea miji ile ambamo ndani yake ilifanyika miujiza yake iliyo mingi, kwa sababu haikutubu.
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21
Ole wako, Korazini! Ole wako, Bethsaida! Kwa kuwa kama miujiza iliyofanyika kwenu ingalifanyika katika Tiro na Sidoni, wangalitubu zamani kwa kuvaa magunia na majivu.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22
Walakini nawaambieni, itakuwa rahisi Tiro na Sidoni kustahimili adhabu zao siku ya hukumu kuliko ninyi.
But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23
Nawe Kapernaumu, je! Utakuzwa mpaka mbinguni? Utashushwa mpaka kuzimu; kwa kuwa kama miujiza iliyofanyika kwako ingalifanyika katika Sodoma, ungalikuwapo mji huo hata leo.
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
24
Walakini nawaambieni, itakuwa rahisi nchi ya Sodoma kustahimili adhabu yake siku ya hukumu kuliko wewe.
But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25
Wakati ule Yesu akajibu, akasema, Nakushukuru, Baba, Bwana wa mbingu na nchi, kwa kuwa mambo haya uliwaficha wenye hekima na akili, ukawafunulia watoto wachanga.
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26
Naam, Baba, kwa kuwa ndivyo ilivyopendeza mbele zako.
Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
27
Akasema, Nimekabidhiwa vyote na baba yangu; wala hakuna amjuaye Mwana, ila Baba; wala hakuna amjuaye Baba, ila Mwana, na ye yote ambaye Mwana apenda kumfunulia.
All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
28
Njoni kwangu, ninyi nyote msumbukao na wenye kulemewa na mizigo, nami nitawapumzisha.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29
Jitieni nira yangu, mjifunze kwangu; kwa kuwa mimi ni mpole na mnyenyekevu wa moyo; nanyi mtapata raha nafsini mwenu;
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30
kwa maana nira yangu ni laini, na mzigo wangu ni mwepesi.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”