1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Kwa kuwa watu wengi wametia mikono kutunga kwa taratibu habari za mambo yale yaliyotimizwa katikati yetu,
2 even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
kama walivyotuhadithia wale waliokuwa mashahidi wenye kuyaona, na watumishi wa lile neno tokea mwanzo,
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
nimeona vema mimi nami, kwa kuwa nimejitafutia usahihi wa mambo hayo yote tangu mwanzo, kukuandikia kwa taratibu, Theofilo mtukufu,
4 that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
upate kujua hakika ya mambo yale uliyofundishwa.
The Birth and Boyhood of Jesus
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
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.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Na wote wawili walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu, wakiendelea katika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yake bila lawama.
7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Nao walikuwa hawana mtoto, maana Elisabeti alikuwa tasa, na wote wawili ni wazee sana.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
Basi ikawa, alipokuwa akifanya kazi ya ukuhani katika taratibu ya zamu yake mbele za Mungu,
9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya ukuhani, kura ilimwangukia kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba.
10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Na makutano yote ya watu walikuwa wakisali nje saa ya kufukiza uvumba.
11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Akatokewa na malaika wa Bwana, amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia.
12 And when Zacharias saw him , he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Zakaria alipomwona alifadhaika, hofu ikamwingia.
13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Lakini yule malaika akamwambia, Usiogope, Zakaria, maana dua yako imesikiwa, na mkeo Elisabeti atakuzalia mtoto mwanamume, na jina lake utamwita Yohana.
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Nawe utakuwa na furaha na shangwe, na watu wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake.
15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Kwa sababu atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana; hatakunywa divai wala kileo; naye atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata tangu tumboni mwa mamaye.
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
Na wengi katika Waisraeli atawarejeza kwa Bwana Mungu wao.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
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.
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
Zakaria akamwambia malaika, Nitajuaje neno hilo? Maana mimi ni mzee, na mke wangu ni mkongwe wa siku nyingi.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Malaika akamjibu akamwambia, Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu; nami nimetumwa niseme nawe, na kukupasha habari hizi njema.
20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Na tazama! Utakuwa bubu, usiweze kusema, mpaka siku ile yatakapotukia hayo, kwa sababu hukuyasadiki maneno yangu; nayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati wake.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
Na wale watu walikuwa wakimngojea Zakaria, wakastaajabia kukawia kwake mle hekaluni.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Alipotoka hali hawezi kusema nao, walitambua ya kuwa ameona maono ndani ya hekalu, naye aliendelea kuwaashiria akakaa bubu.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
Ikawa siku za huduma yake zilipokuwa zimetimia akaenda nyumbani kwake.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
Hata baada ya siku zile mkewe Elisabeti alichukua mimba akatawa miezi mitano, akisema,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me , to take away my reproach among men.
Hivi ndivyo alivyonitendea Bwana katika siku zile alizoniangalia ili kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.
The Annunciation
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Mwezi wa sita, malaika Gabrieli alitumwa na Mungu kwenda mpaka mji wa Galilaya, jina lake Nazareti,
27 to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
kwa mwanamwali bikira aliyekuwa ameposwa na mtu, jina lake Yusufu, wa mbari ya Daudi; na jina lake bikira huyo ni Mariamu.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Akaingia nyumbani kwake akasema, Salamu, uliyepewa neema, Bwana yu pamoja nawe.
29 And when she saw him , she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
Naye akafadhaika sana kwa ajili ya maneno yake, akawaza moyoni, Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
Malaika akamwambia, Usiogope, Mariamu, kwa maana umepata neema kwa Mungu.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Tazama, utachukua mimba na kuzaa mtoto mwanamume; na jina lake utamwita Yesu.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Huyo atakuwa mkuu, ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye juu, na Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi, baba yake.
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Ataimiliki nyumba ya Yakobo hata milele, na ufalme wake utakuwa hauna mwisho.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Mariamu akamwambia malaika, Litakuwaje neno hili, maana sijui mume?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
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.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Tena, tazama, jamaa yako Elisabeti naye amechukua mimba ya mtoto mwanamume katika uzee wake; na mwezi huu ni wa sita kwake yeye aliyeitwa tasa;
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
kwa kuwa hakuna neno lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mariamu akasema, Tazama, mimi ni mjakazi wa Bwana; na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema. Kisha malaika akaondoka akaenda zake.
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
Basi, Mariamu akaondoka siku hizo, akaenda hata nchi ya milimani kwa haraka mpaka mji mmoja wa Yuda,
40 and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
akaingia nyumbani kwa Zakaria akamwamkia Elisabeti.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Ikawa Elisabeti aliposikia kule kuamkia kwake Mariamu, kitoto kichanga kikaruka ndani ya tumbo lake; Elisabeti akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu;
42 and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, Umebarikiwa wewe katika wanawake, naye mzao wa tumbo lako amebarikiwa.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Limenitokeaje neno hili, hata mama wa Bwana wangu anijilie mimi?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Maana sauti ya kuamkia kwako ilipoingia masikioni mwangu, kitoto kichanga kikaruka kwa shangwe ndani ya tumbo langu.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Naye heri aliyesadiki; kwa maana yatatimizwa aliyoambiwa na Bwana.
The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Mariamu akasema, Moyo wangu wamwadhimisha Bwana,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Na roho yangu imemfurahia Mungu, Mwokozi wangu;
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:
For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Kwa kuwa ameutazama Unyonge wa mjakazi wake. Kwa maana, tazama, tokea sasa Vizazi vyote wataniita mbarikiwa;
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
And holy is his name.
Kwa kuwa Mwenye nguvu amenitendea makuu, Na jina lake ni takatifu.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him
From generation to generation.
Na rehema zake hudumu vizazi hata vizazi Kwa hao wanaomcha.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm;
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Amefanya nguvu kwa mkono wake; Amewatawanya walio na kiburi katika mawazo ya mioyo yao;
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats,
And exalted them of low degree.
Amewaangusha wakuu katika viti vyao vya enzi; Na wanyonge amewakweza.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things;
And the rich he hath sent empty away.
Wenye njaa amewashibisha mema, Na wenye mali amewaondoa mikono mitupu.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel,
In remembrance of his mercy;
Amemsaidia Israeli, mtumishi wake; Ili kukumbuka rehema zake;
55 As he spake to our fathers,
To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Kama alivyowaambia baba zetu, Ibrahimu na uzao wake hata milele.
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mariamu akakaa naye kadiri ya miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi kwenda nyumbani kwake.
57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Ikawa, siku za kuzaa kwake Elisabeti zilipotimia, alizaa mtoto mwanamume.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
Wakasikia jirani zake na jamaa zake ya kwamba Bwana amemwongezea rehema zake, wakafurahi pamoja naye.
59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Ikawa siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto; wakataka kumpa jina la babaye, Zakaria.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so ; but he shall be called John.
Mamaye akajibu akasema La, sivyo; bali, ataitwa Yohana.
61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
Wakamwambia, Hapana mtu katika jamaa zako aitwaye jina hilo.
62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
Wakamwashiria babaye wajue atakavyo kumwita.
63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Akataka kibao, akaandika ya kwamba, Jina lake ni Yohana. Wakastaajabu wote.
64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed , and he spake, and praised God.
Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake pia, akaanza kunena akimsifu Mungu.
65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.
Wakaingiwa na hofu wote waliokuwa wakikaa karibu nao; na mambo hayo yote yakatangazwa katika nchi yote ya milima milima ya Uyahudi.
66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Na wote walioyasikia wakayaweka mioyoni mwao, wakisema, Mtoto huyu atakuwa wa namna gani? Kwa sababu mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.
The Benedictus
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Na Zakaria, baba yake, akajazwa Roho Mtakatifu, akatabiri, akisema,
68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;
For he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, Kwa kuwa amewajia watu wake, na kuwakomboa.
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us
In the house of his servant David;
Ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu Katika mlango wa Daudi, mtumishi wake.
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Kama alivyosema tangu mwanzo Kwa kinywa cha manabii wake watakatifu;
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Tuokolewe na adui zetu Na mikononi mwao wote wanaotuchukia;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers,
And to remember his holy covenant;
Ili kuwatendea rehema baba zetu, Na kulikumbuka agano lake takatifu;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Uapo aliomwapia Ibrahimu, baba yetu,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
Might serve him without fear,
Ya kwamba atatujalia sisi, Tuokoke mikononi mwa adui zetu, Na kumwabudu pasipo hofu,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Kwa utakatifu na kwa haki Mbele zake siku zetu zote.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:
For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Nawe, mtoto, utaitwa nabii wake Aliye juu, Kwa maana utatangulia mbele za uso wa Bwana umtengenezee njia zake;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
By the remission of their sins,
Uwajulishe watu wake wokovu, Katika kusamehewa dhambi zao.
78 Through the tender mercy of our God;
Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Kwa njia ya rehema za Mungu wetu, Ambazo kwa hizo mwangaza utokao juu umetufikia,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.
Kuwaangaza wakaao katika giza na uvuli wa mauti, Na kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye njia ya amani.
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Yule mtoto akakua, akaongezeka nguvu rohoni, akakaa majangwani hata siku ya kutokea kwake kwa Israeli.
