2 SWHULB kama walivyotupatia sisi, ambao tangu mwanzo ni mashahidi wa macho na watumishi wa ujumbe. BSB BSB: just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3 SWHULB Hivyo nami pia, baada ya kuchuguza kwa uangalifu chanzo cha mambo haya yote tokea mwanzo - nimeona ni vema kwangu pia kukuandikia katika mpangilio wake - mheshimiwa sana 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 SWHULB Ili kwamba uweze kujua ukweli wa mambo uliyofundishwa. BSB BSB: so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
6 SWHULB Wote walikuwa wenye haki mbele za Mungu; walitembea bila lawama katika amri zote na maagizo ya Bwana. BSB BSB: Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7 SWHULB Lakini hawakuwa na mtoto, kwasababu Elizabethi alikuwa tasa, na kwa wakati huu 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 SWHULB Sasa ilitokea kwamba Zakaria alikuwa katika uwepo wa Mungu, akiendelea na wajibu wa kikuhani katika utaratibu wa zamu yake. BSB BSB: One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9 SWHULB Kulingana na desturi ya kuchagua ni kuhani yupi atakayehudumu, alikuwa amechaguliwa kwa kura kuingia katika hekalu la Bwana na hivyo angefukiza 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 SWHULB Kundi lote la watu lilikuwa likiomba nje wakati wa kufukizwa kwa ufumba. BSB BSB: And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11 SWHULB Sasa malaika wa Bwana alimtokea na kasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia. BSB BSB: Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12 SWHULB Zakaria alitishika alipomuona; hofu ikamwangukia. BSB BSB: When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13 SWHULB Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope Zakaria, kwasababu maombi yako yamesikika. Mke wako Elizabeth atakuzalia mwana. Jina lake utamwita 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 SWHULB Utakuwa na furaha na uchangamfu, na wengi watakufurahia kuzaliwa kwake. BSB BSB: He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15 SWHULB Kwa kuwa atakuwa mkuu mbele ya macho ya Bwana. Hatakunywa divai au kinywaji kikali, na atakuwa amejazwa na Roho Mtakatifu tangu tumboni mwa mama yake. 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 SWHULB Na watu wengi wa Israel watageuzwa kwa Bwana Mungu wao. BSB BSB: Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
18 SWHULB Zakaria akamwambia malaika, “Nitawezaje kujua hili? Kwasababu mimi ni mzee na mke wangu miaka yake imekuwa mingi sana.” 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 SWHULB Malaika akajibu na kumwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, ambaye husimama mbele za Mungu. Nilitumwa kukwambia, kukuletea habari hii 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 SWHULB Na tazama, hutaongea, utakuwa kimya, hutaweza kuongea mpaka siku ile mambo haya yatakapotokea. Hii ni kwasababu ulishindwa kuamini maneno yangu ambayo yatatimizwa kwa wakati mwafaka.” 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 SWHULB Sasa watu walikuwa wakimsubiri Zakaria. Walishangazwa kwamba alikuwa anatumia muda mwingi hekaluni. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22 SWHULB Lakini alipotoka nje, hakuweza kuongea nao. Wakatambua kwamba alikuwa amepata maono alipokuwa hekaluni. Aliendelea kuonesha ishara na alibaki kimya. 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 SWHULB Ikatokea kwamba siku za huduma yake zilipokwisha aliondoka kurudi nyumbani kwake. BSB BSB: And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24 SWHULB Baada ya Zakaria kurudi nyumbani kutoka kwenye huduma yake hekaluni, mke wake akawa mjamzito. Naye hakutoka nyumbani mwake kwa muda wa miezi mitano. Akasema, BSB BSB: After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25 SWHULB “Hili ndilo amabalo Bwana amefanya kwangu aliponitazama kwa upendeleo ili kuiondoa aibu yangu mbele za 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 SWHULB kwa bikra aliyekuwa ameposwa na mwanaume ambaye jina lake lilikuwa Yusufu. Yeye alikuwa wa ukoo wa Daudi, na jina la bikra huyo lilikuwa Mariamu. 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 SWHULB Akaja kwake na akasema, “Salaam, wewe uliyepokea neema kuu! Bwana amependezwa nawe.” BSB BSB: The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 SWHULB Lakini maneno ya malaika yalimchanganya na hakuelewa kwa nini malaika alisema salaam hii ya ajabu kwake. BSB BSB: Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 SWHULB Malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Mariamu, maana umepata neema kutoka kwa Mungu. BSB BSB: So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 SWHULB Na tazama, utabeba mimba katika tumbo lako na utazaa mwana. Nawe 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 SWHULB Atakuwa mkuu na 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 SWHULB Atatawala juu ya ukoo wa 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 SWHULB Malaika akajibu na akamwambia, “Roho Mtakatifu atakujia juu yako, na nguvu ya Aliye Juu Sana itakuja juu yako. Kwa hiyo, mtakatifu atakayezaliwa 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 SWHULB Na tazama, ndugu yako Elizabeti anaujauzito wa mwana kwenye umri wake wa uzee. Huu ni mwezi wa sita kwake, ambaye alikuwa anaitwa mgumba. 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 SWHULB Maana hakuna lisilowezekana kwa Mungu.” BSB BSB: For no word from God will ever fail.”
39 SWHULB Ndipo katika siku hizo Mariamu aliondoka na kwa haraka alikwenda katika nchi ya vilima, kwenye mji katika nchi ya Yudea. BSB BSB: In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 SWHULB Alikwenda nyumbani mwa Zekaria na akamsalimia Elizabeti. BSB BSB: where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 SWHULB Sasa, ilitokea kwamba Elizabeti aliposikia salamu ya Mariamu, mtoto tumboni mwake akaruka, na 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 SWHULB Akapaza sauti yake na kusema kwa sauti kuu, “umebarikiwa wewe zaidi miongoni mwa wanawake, na mtoto aliyemo tumboni mwako amebarikiwa. BSB BSB: In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 SWHULB Na imekuwaje kwangu kwamba, mama wa Bwana wangu ilipasa aje kwangu? BSB BSB: And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 SWHULB Kwa kuwa tazama, iliposikika masikoni mwangu sauti ya kusalimia kwako, mtoto tumboni mwangu akaruka 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 SWHULB Na amebarikiwe mwanamke yule ambaye aliamini ya kwamba ungetokea ukamilifu wa mambo yale aliyoambiwa kutoka kwa Bwana.” BSB BSB: Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
47 SWHULB na roho yangu imefurahi katika Mungu Mwokozi wangu. BSB BSB: and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
49 SWHULB Kwa maana yeye aliyemweza amefanya mambo makubwa kwangu, na jina lake ni takatifu. BSB BSB: For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50 SWHULB Rehema yake inadumu toka kizazi hata kizazi kwa wale wanao mheshimu yeye. BSB BSB: His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51 SWHULB Ameonesha nguvu kwa mkono wake; amewatawanya wale ambao walijivuna juu ya mawazo 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 SWHULB Amewashusha chini wana wa wafalme toka katika viti vyao vya enzi na kuwainua juu walio na hali ya chini. BSB BSB: He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53 SWHULB Aliwashibisha 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 SWHULB Ametoa msaada kwa Israeli mtumishi wake, ili kukumbuka kuonesha rehema BSB BSB: He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55 SWHULB (kama alivyosema kwa baba zetu) kwa Abrahamu na uzao wake milele.” BSB BSB: as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56 SWHULB Mariamu alikaa na Elizabeti yapata miezi mitatu hivi ndipo akarudi nyumbani kwake. BSB BSB: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57 SWHULB Sasa wakati ulikuwa umewadia kwa Elizabeti kujifungua mtoto wake na akajifungua mtoto wa kiume. BSB BSB: When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58 SWHULB Jirani zake na ndugu zake walisikia jinsi Bwana alivyoikuza rehema kwake, na wakafurahi pamoja naye. BSB BSB: Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 SWHULB Sasa ilitokea siku ya nane kwamnba walikuja kumtahiri mtoto. Ingewapasa kumwita jina lake, “Zekaria,” kwa kuzingatia 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 SWHULB Lakini mama yake akajibu na kusema, “Hapana; ataitwa Yohana.” BSB BSB: But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61 SWHULB Wakamwambia, hakuna hata mmoja katika ndugu zako anayeitwa kwa jina hili.” BSB BSB: They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62 SWHULB Wakamfanyia ishara baba yake kuashiria yeye alitaka jina aitwe nani. BSB BSB: So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63 SWHULB Baba yake akahitaji kibao cha kuandikia, na akaandika, “Jina lake ni Yohana.” Wote wakashangazwa na hili. BSB BSB: Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64 SWHULB Ghafla mdomo wake ukafunguliwa na ulimi wake ukawa huru. Akaongea na kumsifu Mungu. BSB BSB: Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65 SWHULB Hofu ikawajia wote walioishi karibu nao. Mambo haya yakaenea katika nchi yote ya vilima vya Yudea. BSB BSB: All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66 SWHULB Na wote walioyasikia wakayatunza mioyoni mwao, wakisema, “ Mtoto huyu kuwa wa namna gani?” Kwasababu 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 SWHULB Baba yake Zekaria alijazwa na Roho Mtakatifu na akatoa unabii, akisema, BSB BSB: Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 SWHULB “Asifiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa sababu amesaidia na alishughulikia wokovu kwa watu wake. BSB BSB: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69 SWHULB Ametuinulia pembe ya wokovu katika nyumba ya mtumishi wake Daudi, kutoka miongoi mwa mwa ukoo wa mtumishi wake Daudi, BSB BSB: He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 SWHULB kama alivyosema kwa kinywa cha manabii wake waliokuweko katika nyakati za kale. BSB BSB: as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71 SWHULB Atatuoka kutoka kwa adui zetu na kutoka mikononi mwa wote wanaotuchukia. BSB BSB: salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72 SWHULB Atafanya hivi kuonesha rehema kwa baba zetu, na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu, BSB BSB: to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73 SWHULB kiapo alichokisema kwa Abrahamu baba yetu. BSB BSB: the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 SWHULB Aliapa kuthibitha kwamba ingewezekana kumtumikia Yeye bila hofu, baada ya kuokolewa kutoka katika mikononi ya adui zetu. BSB BSB: deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75 SWHULB katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake siku zetu zote. BSB BSB: in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76 SWHULB Ndiyo, na wewe mtoto, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu Sana, kwa kuwa utaenenda mbele za uso wa Bwana ili kumwandalia njia, kuwaandaa watu kwa ajili ya ujio wake, 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 SWHULB kuwafahamisha watu wake kwamba, wataokolewa kwa njia ya kusamehewa dhambi zao. BSB BSB: to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 SWHULB Hili litatokea kwa sababu ya huruma ya Mungu wetu, sababu ambayo jua tokea juu litatujia, BSB BSB: because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79 SWHULB kuangaza kwao wakaao gizani na katika uvuli wa mauti. Atafanya hivi kuiongoza miguu yetu kwenye 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 SWHULB Sasa, yule mtoto akakua na kuwa mwenye nguvu rohoni na alikaa nyikani mpaka siku ya kujitokeza kwake kwa Israeli. 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.