1 Many people have tried to tell the story of what God has done among us. 2 They wrote what we had been told by the ones who were there in the beginning and saw what happened. 3 So I made a careful study of everything and then decided to write and tell you exactly what took place. Honorable Theophilus, 4 I have done this to let you know the truth about what you have heard.
An Angel Tells about the Birth of John
5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest by the name of Zechariah from the priestly group of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was from the family of Aaron. 6 Both of them were good people and pleased the Lord God by obeying all that he had commanded. 7 But they did not have children. Elizabeth could not have any, and both Zechariah and Elizabeth were already old.
8 One day Zechariah's group of priests were on duty, and he was serving God as a priest. 9 According to the custom of the priests, he had been chosen to go into the Lord's temple that day and to burn incense, 10 while the people stood outside praying.
11 All at once an angel from the Lord appeared to Zechariah at the right side of the altar. 12 Zechariah was confused and afraid when he saw the angel. 13 But the angel told him:
Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John. 14 His birth will make you very happy, and many people will be glad. 15 Your son will be a great servant of the Lord. He must never drink wine or beer, and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born.
16 John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go ahead of the Lord with the same power and spirit that Elijah had. And because of John, parents will be more thoughtful of their children. And people who now disobey God will begin to think as they ought to. This is how John will get people ready for the Lord.
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this is going to happen? My wife and I are both very old.”
19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel, God's servant, and I was sent to tell you this good news. 20 You have not believed what I have said. So you will not be able to say a thing until all this happens. But everything will take place when it is supposed to.”
21 The crowd was waiting for Zechariah and kept wondering why he was staying in the temple so long. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak, and they knew he had seen a vision. He motioned to them with his hands, but did not say a thing.
23 When Zechariah's time of service in the temple was over, he went home. 24 Soon after this, his wife was expecting a baby, and for five months she did not leave the house. She said to herself, 25 “What the Lord has done for me will keep people from looking down on me.”
An Angel Tells about the Birth of Jesus
26 One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee 27 with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. 28 The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was confused by the angel's words and wondered what they meant. 30 Then the angel told Mary, “Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen? I am not even married!”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God's power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. 36 Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37 Nothing is impossible for God!”
38 Mary said, “I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. 40 She went into Zechariah's home, where she greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. 42 Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. 43 Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? 44 As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. 45 The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
Mary's Song of Praise
46 Mary said:
With all my heart
I praise the Lord,
47 and I am glad
because of God my Savior.
48 God cares for me,
his humble servant.
From now on,
all people will say
God has blessed me.
49 God All-Powerful has done
great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50 He always shows mercy
to everyone
who worships him.
51 The Lord has used
his powerful arm
to scatter those
who are proud.
52 God drags strong rulers
from their thrones
and puts humble people
in places of power.
53 God gives the hungry
good things to eat,
and sends the rich away
with nothing.
54 God helps his servant Israel
and is always merciful
to his people.
55 The Lord made this promise
to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his family
forever!
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she went back home.
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 When Elizabeth's son was born, 58 her neighbors and relatives heard how kind the Lord had been to her, and they too were glad.
59 Eight days later they did for the child what the Law of Moses commands. They were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John.”
61 The people argued, “No one in your family has ever been named John.” 62 So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted to name his son.
63 Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. 64 At once, Zechariah started speaking and praising God.
65 All the neighbors were frightened because of what had happened, and everywhere in the hill country people kept talking about these things. 66 Everyone who heard about this wondered what this child would grow up to be. They knew the Lord was with him.
Zechariah Praises the Lord
67 The Holy Spirit came upon Zechariah, and he began to speak:
68 Praise the Lord,
the God of Israel!
He has come
to save his people.
69 Our God has given us
a mighty Savior
from the family
of David his servant.
70 Long ago the Lord promised
by the words
of his holy prophets
71 to save us from our enemies
and from everyone
who hates us.
72 God said he would be kind
to our people and keep
his sacred promise.
73 He told our ancestor Abraham
74 that he would rescue us
from our enemies.
Then we could serve him
without fear,
75 by being holy and good
as long as we live.
76 You, my son, will be called
the prophet of God Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord
to get everything ready
for him.
77 You will tell his people
that they can be saved
when their sins
are forgiven.
78 God's love and kindness
will shine upon us
like the sun that rises
in the sky.
79 On us who live
in the dark shadow
of death
this light will shine
to guide us
into a life of peace.
80 As John grew up, God's Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel.
1 Omusimanekwa Teofilus!
Aanyoli oyendji oya si oshimpwiyu shokutunga ehokololo lyiiningwanima mbyoka ya tsakanithwa mokati ketu. 2 Oyo oya nyola shoka twa li twe shi hokololelwa kumboka ya li ya mono nomeho gawo okuza petameko noya ningi aayuvithi yoohapu. 3 Onkee ano ngame wo sho nda konakona iinima ayihe okuza petameko, onde shi tala sho opala, ndi ku nyolele ehokololo lya yela, omusimanekwa Teofilus, 4 opo u tseye nawa kutya omahokololo ngoka we ga longwa, ogoshili.
Okuvalwa kwaJohannes Omushashi taku tseyithwa
5 Pethimbo ndyoka, uuna Herodes a li omukwaniilwa gwaJudea, okwa li ku na omuyambi, edhina lye Sakaria, gwometanga lyaAbia. Edhina lyomukiintu gwe oElisabet, gwomezimo lyaAron. 6 Ayehe yaali oya li aayuuki koshipala shaKalunga, yaa na oshipwe noya vulika kiipango ayihe nokomautho agehe gOmuwa. 7 Ihe oya li kaaye na oluvalo, oshoka Elisabet okwa li ihaa vala, yo ayehe yaali oya adhika ye li methimbo lyuukulupe.
8 Esiku limwe Sakaria okwa li miilonga yokuyamba koshipala shaKalunga opalufo lwetanga lye. …Sakaria okwa li miilonga yokuyamba koshipala shaKalunga opalufo lwetanga lye. 9 Pamukalo ngoka gwa li gwa landulwa kaayambi, Sakaria okwa hogololwa nokuumba oshihogololitho, a ka tsinine motempeli yOmuwa. 10 Pethimbo lyokutsinina aantu ayehe oya kala pondje taa galikana.
11 Omuyengeli gwOmuwa, ngoka a thikama kombinga yokolulyo lwoshiyambelo hoka haku fikilwa omatsinino, okwi ihololele Sakaria. 12 Sakaria sho e mu mono, okwa haluka a tila. 13 Omuyengeli okwa ti kuye: “Sakaria, ino tila, egalikano lyoye olyu uvika. Omukiintu gwoye Elisabet ote ke ku valela okanona okamati, e to ka luku Johannes. 14 Ngoye oto kala u udha enyanyu neligolo, noyendji yalwe otaa ka nyanyukilwa evalo lyako. 15 Oshoka omunona nguka ota ka kala omunene koshipala shOmuwa. Oye ita nu omaviinu nenge oshinuwa kehe hashi kolitha. Oye te ku udha Ombepo Ondjapuki nomanga e li mela lyayina. 16 Oyendji yomAaisraeli ote ya galulile kOmuwa, Kalunga kawo. 17 Oye omutumwa gwOmuwa te ya e na ombepo noonkondo dhaElia. Oye ota hanganitha oohe noyana, ota galulile oonakwaavulika mondjila yu uka nota longekidha aantu, ya wape okutaamba Omuwa gwawo.”
18 Sakaria okwa ti komuyengeli: “Shika otandi shi tseya ngiini? Oshoka ngame onda kulupa nomukiintu gwandje wo oku li methimbo lyuukulupe.”
19 Omuyengeli okwe mu yamukula a ti: “Ongame Gabriel nda thikama koshipala shaKalunga, ngoka a tumu ndje, ndi ku lombwele nondi ku uvithile elaka ndika etoye. 20 Ano ngashingeyi pulakena: Sho ino itaala oohapu dhandje, oto ka kala itoo popi sigo esiku ndyoka ayihe nde yi ku lombwele tayi ka gwanithwa.”
21 Aantu oya li ya tegelele Sakaria noya kumwa, sho a kala ethimbo ele unene motempeli. 22 Ano sho a zi mo, okwa li itaa vulu okupopya nayo. Aantu noya dhimbulula kutya okwa mono emoniko motempeli. Molwaashoka Sakaria okwa li itaa vulu okupopya nayo, okwe ya lombwele nokuninga omandhindhiliko niikaha.
23 Omasiku giilonga yomotempeli sho ga pu ko, Sakaria okwa shuna kegumbo. 24 Konima yomasiku omukulukadhi gwe Elisabet okwa ningi omusimba nokwa kala megumbo uule woomwedhi ntano inaa za mo nokwa ti: 25 “Shika onde shi ningilwa kOmuwa. Ngashingeyi Omuwa okwa sile ndje ohenda, sho a kutha ndje okudhinwa kaantu.”
Okuvalwa kwaJesus taku tseyithwa
26 Elisabet sho a ningi omusimba gwoomwedhi hamano, Kalunga okwa tumu omuyengeli Gabriel koshilando shomuGalilea, edhina lyasho Nasaret, 27 a ye komukadhona a yalekwa komulumentu, edhina lye Josef, gwomezimo lyaDavid. Edhina lyomukadhona oMaria. 28 Omuyengeli okwe ya kuye e ta ti: “Ombili nayi kale nangoye! Omuwa na kale pamwe nangoye ye ne ku yambeke!”
29 Maria okwa haluthwa kepopitho nokwe li dhiladhila kutya otali ti ngiini. 30 Omuyengeli okwa ti kuye ishewe: “Maria, ino tila, owa silwa ohenda kuKalunga. 31 Oto ka ninga omusimba e to vala okanona okamati nou na oku ka luka Jesus. 32 Oye ta ningi omunene e ti ithanwa Omuna gwaKalunga gwokombandambanda. Omuwa Kalunga ote mu ningi omukwaniilwa ongaashi he David. 33 Oye ta ningi omukwaniilwa gwoluvalo lwaJakob sigo aluhe; nuukwaniilwa we kau na mpoka tau ka hula po.”
34 Maria okwa ti komuyengeli: “Otashi ka vulika ngiini, oshoka ngame omukadhona natango?”
35 Omuyengeli okwe mu yamukula a ti: “Ombepo Ondjapuki otayi ku lambele, noonkondo dhaKalunga gwokombandambanda otadhi ku siikile. Onkee ano omunona nguka ota ka lukwa Omuna gwaKalunga. 36 Tala, naElisabet omunezimo lyoye ngoka a popiwa kutya iha vala, okwa ningi ngashingeyi omusimba gwoomwedhi hamano, nonando okwa kulupa. 37 Oshoka kaku na shoka tashi nyenge Kalunga.”
38 Maria okwa ti: “Ongame omuntu gwOmuwa. Nandi ningwe ngaashi wa ti.” Omuyengeli nokwa zi po puye.
Maria ta talele po Elisabet
39 Pethimbo olyo tuu ndyoka Maria okwa thikama e ta yi nokweendelela koshilando shomuJudea, shi li momukunda gu na oondundu. 40 Maria sho e ya maandjaSakaria, okwa popitha Elisabet. 41 Elisabet sho u uvu epopitho lyaMaria, okanona oka nyulukuta mela lye. Opo Elisabet oku udha Ombepo Ondjapuki 42 nokwa popi mokule a ti: “Kala wa yambekwa mokati kaakiintu aakweni, nosho wo okanona hoka to ka vala, naka yambekwe. 43 Osha zile ndje peni, yina yOmuwa gwandje sho te ya kungame? 44 Oshoka manga tuu ewi lyepopitho lyoye tali thiki momakutsi gandje, okanona oka nyulukuta kenyanyu mela lyandje. 45 Omunelago oongoka wi itaala kutya shoka to shi lombwelwa kOmuwa, otashi ka gwanithwa.”
Eimbilo lyehambelelo lyaMaria
46 Maria okwa ti:
“Omwenyo gwandje otagu hambelele Omuwa,
47 ombepo yandje otayi nyanyukilwa Kalunga, omuhupithi gwandje,
48 oshoka okwa dhimbulukwa omuntu gwe mokwiishonopeka kwe.
Okuza ngashingeyi aantu ayehe otaa ki ithana ndje omunelago,
49 oshoka Omuwa omunankondo okwa ningile ndje iinima iinene.
Edhina lye olyo eyapuki.
50 Oye ta sile ohenda ayehe mboka haye mu tila yomomapipi agehe.
51 Oye okwa longo iilongankondo.
Oonakuholuuntsa okwe ya halakanitha po pamwe nomadhiladhilo gawo.
52 Aakwaniilwa aanankondo okwe ya kutha ko kiipangelapundi yawo,
nokwa nenepeke aaishonopeki.
53 Mboka ya sa ondjala, okwe ya kutitha nuuwanawa,
aayamba okwe ya tidha po ye li iikaha yowala.
54 Oye okwa dhiginine euvaneko ndyoka e li lombwele ootate.
Oye e ya okukwatha omuntu gwe Israel,
55 nokwa dhimbulukwa okusila Abraham ohenda noluvalo lwe sigo aluhe.”
56 Maria okwa menekele puElisabet oomwedhi ndatu, opo ihe okwa shuna kaandjawo.
Okuvalwa kwaJohannes
57 Ethimbo lyaElisabet lyokuvala sho lya thiki, okwa vala okanona okamati. 58 Aashiinda ye naanezimo sho yu uvu, nkene Omuwa e mu hololele esilohenda enene li thike mpoka, oya nyanyukwa pamwe naye.
59 Esiku etihetatu oye ya, ya fukaleke okanona, noya li ya hala ye ka lukile he Sakaria. 60 Ihe yina okwa ti: “Itashi vulika. Edhina lyako otali lukwa Johannes.”
61 Oyo noya ti kuye: “Mezimo lyoye kamu na nando omuntu e na edhina ndyoka.” 62 Oyo noya lombwele he nokuninga omandhindhiliko niikaha, opo ye mu pule kutya okanona okwa hala ka lukwe edhina lini.
63 Oye okwi indile, a pewe okapelende kokunyolela nokwa nyolele mo kutya: “Edhina lyako oJohannes.” Aantu ayehe noya kumwa. 64 Opo tuu mpoka ewi lye olya thituluka nelaka lye olya manguluka, nokwa tameke okupopya e ta hambelele Kalunga.
65 Aantu ayehe yopuushiinda oya kwatwa kehaluko, nakehe gumwe gwomoshitopolwa shoka shoondundu muJudea oku uvu ayihe mbika ya ningwa. 66 Ayehe mboka ye shi uvu, oya pungula oohapu ndhika moomwenyo dhawo noya ti: “Okanona haka otaka ka kala ka tya ngiini?” Oyo oya dhimbulula kutya, oko oke li miikaha yOmuwa.
Ehunganeko lyaSakaria
67 He Sakaria oku udha Ombepo Ondjapuki nokwa hunganeke a ti:
68 “Omuwa, Kalunga kaIsrael, na hambelelwe!
Oshoka okwe ya okuhupitha nokumangulula aantu ye.
69 Oye okwe tu pe Omukulili ofule a zi mezimo lyomuntu gwe David.
70 Ngaashi aahunganeki ye aayapuki ye shi uvaneke nale kutya:
71 Oye ote ke tu hupitha maatondi yetu nomiikaha yaayehe mboka ye tu tonde.
72 Shika ote shi ningi molwesilohenda lye ndyoka e li hololele ootate,
sho ha dhimbulukwa ehangano lye eyapuki.
73 Oye okwa ganene tate yetu Abraham kutya,
74 ote ke tu hupitha miikaha yaatondi yetu, opo tu mu longele twaa na uumbanda,
75 tse tu ninge aayapuki naayuuki koshipala she omasiku getu agehe.
76 Ngoye okanona oto ki ithanwa omuhunganeki gwaKalunga gwokombandambanda,
oshoka oto ka tetekela Omuwa, u mu opalekele ondjila.
77 Ongoye to ka tseyithila aantu ye ehupitho, uuna oondjo dhawo dha dhimwa po.
78 Oshoka Kalunga ketu oku na olukeno nesilohenda,
onkee eluwa lyehupitho otali tu tendele, li tu minikile.
79 Tse mboka twa kuutumba momilema nomomuzizimba gweso, li ukithe oompadhi dhetu mondjila yombili.”
80 Omunona okwa koko nokwa kolo pambepo. Oye okwa kala mombuga sigo esiku ndyoka i ihololele Aaisraeli.
