1Siku hizo Yohane Mbatizaji alitokea, akaanza kuhubiri katika jangwa la Yudea:
1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2"Tubuni, maana Ufalme wa mbinguni umekaribia."
2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3Huyu Yohane ndiye yule ambaye nabii Isaya alinena juu yake aliposema: "Sauti ya mtu imesikika jangwani: Mtayarishieni Bwana njia yake, nyoosheni vijia vyake."
3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4Yohane alivaa vazi lililoshonwa kwa manyoya ya ngamia, na ukanda wa ngozi kiunoni mwake. Chakula chake kilikuwa nzige na asali ya mwituni.
4And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5Basi, watu kutoka Yerusalemu, kutoka mkoa wote wa Yudea na sehemu zote za kandokando ya mto Yordani, walimwendea,
5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6wakaziungama dhambi zao, naye akawabatiza katika mto Yordani.
6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7Lakini alipowaona Mafarisayo wengi na Masadukayo wanamjia ili awabatize, aliwaambia, "Enyi kizazi cha nyoka! Ni nani aliyewadokezea kwamba mnaweza kuiepuka ghadhabu inayokuja?
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Onyesheni basi kwa matendo, kwamba mmetubu kweli.
8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9Msidhani kwamba mtaweza kujitetea kwa kusema, Baba yetu ni Abrahamu! Nawaambieni hakika, Mungu anaweza kuyafanya mawe haya yawe watoto wa Abrahamu.
9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10Basi, shoka liko tayari kuikata mizizi ya miti; hivyo, kila mti usiozaa matunda mazuri, utakatwa na kutupwa motoni.
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11Mimi ninawabatizeni kwa maji kuonyesha kwamba mmetubu. Lakini yule anayekuja baada yangu ana uwezo kuliko mimi. Mimi sistahili hata kubeba viatu vyake. Yeye atawabatizeni kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwa moto.
11I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12Yeye anashika mkononi chombo cha kupuria nafaka, ili aipure nafaka yake; akusanye ngano ghalani, na makapi ayachome kwa moto usiozimika."
12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13Wakati huo Yesu alitoka Galilaya akafika katika mto Yordani, akamwendea Yohane ili abatizwe naye.
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14Lakini Yohane alijaribu kumzuia akisema, "Je, wewe unakuja kwangu? Mimi hasa ndiye ninayehitaji kubatizwa nawe."
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15Lakini Yesu akamjibu, "Acha tu iwe hivyo kwa sasa, maana kwa namna hii inafaa tuyatekeleze yale yote Mungu anayotaka." Hapo Yohane akakubali.
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16Mara tu Yesu alipokwisha batizwa, alitoka majini; na ghafla mbingu zikafunguka, akaona Roho wa Mungu akishuka kama njiwa na kutua juu yake.
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17Sauti kutoka mbinguni ikasema, "Huyu ndiye Mwanangu mpendwa, nimependezwa naye."
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.