2 NEN kama vile yalivyokabidhiwa kwetu na wale waliokuwa mashahidi walioyaona na watumishi wa Bwana, BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 NEN mimi nami baada ya kuchunguza kila kitu kwa uangalifu kuanzia mwanzo, niliamua kukuandikia habari za mambo hayo, ewe mtukufu Theofilo, BSB BSB: 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 NEN ili upate kujua ukweli kuhusu yale uliyofundishwa. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
6 NEN Zekaria na Elizabeti mkewe wote walikuwa watu wanyofu mbele za Mungu, wakizishika amri zote za Bwana na maagizo yote bila lawama. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 NEN Lakini walikuwa hawana watoto, kwa sababu Elizabeti alikuwa tasa; nao wote wawili walikuwa wazee sana. BSB BSB: But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8 NEN Siku moja ilipokuwa zamu ya kikundi cha Zekaria, yeye akifanya kazi ya ukuhani Hekaluni mbele za Mungu, BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 NEN alichaguliwa kwa kura kwa kufuata desturi za ukuhani, kuingia Hekaluni mwa Bwana ili kufukiza uvumba. BSB BSB: he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10 NEN Nao wakati wa kufukiza uvumba ulipowadia, wale wote waliokuwa wamekusanyika ili kuabudu walikuwa nje wakiomba. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 NEN Ndipo malaika wa Bwana, akiwa amesimama upande wa kuume wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba, akamtokea Zekaria. BSB BSB: Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 NEN Zekaria alipomwona huyo malaika, akafadhaika sana, akajawa na hofu. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 NEN Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Zekaria, kwa maana Mungu amesikia maombi yako. Mkeo Elizabeti atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, nawe utamwita jina lake Yohana. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Yeye atakuwa furaha na shangwe kwako, nao watu wengi watashangilia kwa sababu ya kuzaliwa kwake. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 NEN Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana, kamwe hataonja mvinyo wala kinywaji chochote cha kulevya, naye atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata kabla ya kuzaliwa kwake. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Naye atawageuza wengi wa wana wa Israeli warudi kwa Bwana Mungu wao. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 NEN Zekaria akamuuliza malaika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa.” BSB BSB: “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 NEN Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu, nami nimetumwa kwako ili nikuambie habari hizi njema. BSB BSB: “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 NEN Basi sasa kwa kuwa hujaamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati wake, utakuwa bubu hadi siku ile mambo haya yatakapotukia.” BSB BSB: 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 NEN Wakati huo watu walikuwa wanamngojea Zekaria nje huku wakishangaa kukawia kwake mle Hekaluni. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 NEN Alipotoka akawa hawezi kusema nao, wao wakatambua kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Lakini kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawa anawaashiria kwa mikono. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Muda wake wa kuhudumu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 NEN Baada ya muda usio mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe akapata mimba, naye akajitenga kwa miezi mitano. BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 NEN Akasema, “Hili ndilo Bwana alilonitendea aliponiangalia kwa upendeleo na kuniondolea aibu yangu mbele ya watu.” BSB BSB: “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
27 NEN kwa mwanamwali bikira aliyekuwa ameposwa na mtu mmoja jina lake Yosefu wa nyumba ya Daudi. Jina la huyu mwanamwali bikira ni Maria. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Naye malaika akaja kwake akamwambia: “Salamu, wewe uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!” BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 NEN Maria akafadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, “Salamu hii ni ya namna gani?” BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 NEN Ndipo malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Maria, umepata kibali kwa Mungu. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 NEN Tazama, utachukua mimba, nawe utamzaa mtoto mwanaume na utamwita jina lake Yesu. BSB BSB: Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32 NEN Yeye atakuwa mkuu, naye ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu Sana. Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Daudi baba yake. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Ataimiliki nyumba ya Yakobo milele, na ufalme wake hautakuwa na mwisho.” BSB BSB: and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
35 NEN 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. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Tazama, jamaa yako Elizabeti amechukua mimba katika uzee wake, na huu ni mwezi wake wa sita, yeye aliyeitwa tasa. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilowezekana.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
39 NEN Wakati huo Maria akajiandaa, akaharakisha kwenda katika mji mmoja kwenye vilima vya Uyahudi. BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 NEN Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zekaria na kumsalimu Elizabeti. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 NEN Naye Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Maria, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake akaruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, BSB BSB: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 NEN akapaza sauti kwa nguvu akasema, “Umebarikiwa wewe miongoni mwa wanawake, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebarikiwa. BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 NEN Lakini ni kwa nini mimi nimepata upendeleo kiasi hiki, hata mama wa Bwana wangu afike kwangu? BSB BSB: And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 NEN Mara tu niliposikia sauti ya salamu yako, mtoto aliyeko tumboni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha. BSB BSB: For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 NEN Amebarikiwa yeye aliyeamini kwamba lile Bwana alilomwambia litatimizwa.” BSB BSB: Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
47 NEN nayo roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu, BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 NEN kwa maana yeye Mwenye Nguvu amenitendea mambo ya ajabu: jina lake ni takatifu. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 NEN Rehema zake huwaendea wale wamchao, kutoka kizazi hadi kizazi. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 NEN Kwa kuwa ametenda mambo ya ajabu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale wenye kiburi ndani ya mioyo yao. BSB BSB: He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 NEN Amewashusha watawala toka kwenye viti vyao vya enzi, lakini amewainua wanyenyekevu. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 NEN Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri, bali matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu. BSB BSB: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54 NEN Amemsaidia mtumishi wake Israeli, kwa kukumbuka ahadi yake ya kumrehemu BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 NEN Abrahamu na uzao wake milele, kama alivyowaahidi baba zetu.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 NEN Maria akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyumbani kwake. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57 NEN Ulipowadia wakati wa Elizabeti kujifungua, alizaa mtoto mwanaume. BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 NEN Majirani zake na jamii zake wakasikia jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu, nao wakafurahi pamoja naye. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 NEN Siku ya nane wakaja kumtahiri mtoto, wakataka yule mtoto aitwe Zekaria, ambalo ndilo jina la baba yake. BSB BSB: On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60 NEN Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “Hapana! Jina lake ataitwa Yohana.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 NEN Wakamwambia, “Hakuna mtu yeyote katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo.” BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 NEN Basi wakamfanyia Zekaria baba yake ishara ili kujua kwamba yeye angependa kumpa mtoto jina gani. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 NEN Akaomba wampe kibao cha kuandikia na kwa mshangao wa kila mtu akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.” BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 NEN Papo hapo kinywa chake kikafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukaachiwa, akawa anaongea akimsifu Mungu. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 NEN Majirani wote wakajawa na hofu ya Mungu, na katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Uyahudi watu walikuwa wakinena juu ya mambo haya yote. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 NEN Kila aliyesikia habari hizi alishangaa akauliza, “Je, mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye. BSB BSB: 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 NEN Zekaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akatoa unabii, akisema: BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 NEN “Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajilia watu wake na kuwakomboa. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 NEN Naye ametusimamishia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya Daudi mtumishi wake, BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 NEN kama alivyonena kwa vinywa vya manabii wake watakatifu tangu zamani, BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 NEN kwamba atatuokoa kutoka kwa adui zetu, na kutoka mikononi mwao wote watuchukiao: BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 NEN ili kuonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka Agano lake takatifu, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 NEN kiapo alichomwapia baba yetu Abrahamu: BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 NEN kutuokoa kutoka mikononi mwa adui zetu, tupate kumtumikia yeye pasipo hofu BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 NEN katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 NEN “Nawe mtoto wangu, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana; kwa kuwa utamtangulia Bwana na kuandaa njia kwa ajili yake, BSB BSB: 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 NEN kuwajulisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao, BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 NEN kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu, nuru itokayo juu itatuzukia BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 NEN ili kuwaangazia wale waishio gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti, kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.” BSB BSB: to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80 NEN Yule mtoto akakua na kuongezeka nguvu katika roho; akaishi nyikani hadi siku ile alipojionyesha hadharani kwa Waisraeli. BSB BSB: And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.