Then he said to them, “Truly I tell you,(A) there are some standing here who will not taste death(B) until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”(C)

The Transfiguration

After(D) six days(E) Jesus took Peter, James, and John(F) and led them up a high mountain(G) by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured(H) in front of them, and his clothes(I) became dazzling—extremely white(J) as no launderer on earth could whiten(K) them. Elijah(L) appeared to them with Moses,(M) and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(N) it’s good(O) for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters:(P) one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say,(Q) since they were terrified.(R)

A cloud(S) appeared, overshadowing(T) them, and a voice(U) came from the cloud:(V) “This is my beloved(W) Son;(X) listen to him!” (Y)

Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As(Z) they were coming down the mountain,(AA) he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen(AB) until the Son of Man(AC) had risen(AD) from the dead.(AE) 10 They kept this word(AF) to themselves, questioning what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes(AG) say that Elijah must come first?” (AH)

12 “Elijah does come first and restores(AI) all things,”(AJ) he replied. “Why then is it written(AK) that the Son of Man must suffer(AL) many things and be treated with contempt?(AM) 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did whatever they pleased to him, just as it is written(AN) about him.”

The Power of Faith over a Demon

14 When(AO) they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes disputing(AP) with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were amazed and ran to greet him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing with them about?”

17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher,(AQ) I brought my son to you. He has a spirit(AR) that makes him unable to speak.(AS) 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”

19 He replied to them, “You unbelieving(AT) generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father.

“From childhood,” he said. 22 “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy(AU) him. But if you can do anything, have compassion(AV) on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’?[a] Everything is possible(AW) for the one who believes.”(AX)

24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked(AY) the unclean(AZ) spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf(BA) spirit, I command you: Come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 Then it came out, shrieking and throwing him into terrible convulsions.(BB) The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him,(BC) and he stood up.

28 After he had gone into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 And he told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer.”[b](BD)

The Second Prediction of His Death

30 Then(BE) they left that place and made their way through Galilee, but he did not want anyone to know it.(BF) 31 For he was teaching(BG) his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man(BH) is going to be betrayed[c] into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after he is killed, he will rise(BI) three days later.”(BJ) 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask him.(BK)

Who Is the Greatest?

33 They(BL) came to Capernaum.(BM) When he was in the house,(BN) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”(BO) 34 But they were silent,(BP) because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest.(BQ) 35 Sitting down, he called the Twelve(BR) and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.”(BS) 36 He took a child,(BT) had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes[d] one little child such as this in my name(BU) welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but him who sent(BV) me.”(BW)

In His Name

38 John(BX) said to him, “Teacher,(BY) we saw someone[e] driving out demons(BZ) in your name,(CA) and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”(CB)

39 “Don’t stop him,” said Jesus, “because there is no one who will perform a miracle(CC) in my name who can soon afterward speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us.(CD) 41 And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink(CE) in my name, because you belong to Christ(CF) —truly I tell you,(CG) he will never lose his reward.(CH)

Warnings from Jesus

42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away(CI) —it would be better for him if a heavy millstone(CJ) were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

43 “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off.(CK) It is better for you to enter life maimed(CL) than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire.[f](CM) 45 And if your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame(CN) than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[g] 47 And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God(CO) with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown(CP) into hell,(CQ) 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.[h] 49 For everyone will be salted with fire.[i][j](CR) 50 Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it?(CS) Have salt(CT) among yourselves, and be at peace(CU) with one another.”

Footnotes

  1. 9:23 Other mss add believe
  2. 9:29 Other mss add and fasting
  3. 9:31 Or handed over
  4. 9:37 Or “Whoever receives
  5. 9:38 Other mss add who didn’t go along with us
  6. 9:43 Some mss include v. 44: Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
  7. 9:45 Some mss include v. 46: Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.
  8. 9:48 Is 66:24
  9. 9:49 Other mss add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt
  10. 9:49 Lv 2:13; Ezk 43:24

Yesu akaendelea kuwaambia, ‘ ‘Ninawahakikishia kuwa wapo watu hapa ambao hawatakufa kabla ya kuuona Ufalme wa Mungu ukija kwa nguvu.”

Yesu Ageuka Sura

Baada ya siku sita, Yesu aliwachukua Petro, Yakobo na Yohana akawapeleka juu ya mlima mrefu ambapo walikuwa faraghani, peke yao. Na huko, wakiwa wanamtazama, Yesu akageuka sura. Mavazi yake yakametameta kwa weupe, yakang’aa, yakawa meupe kuliko ambavyo dobi ye yote duniani angaliweza kuyang’aarisha. Musa na Eliya wakawatokea nao walikuwa wakizungumza na Yesu.

Petro akamwambia Yesu , “Mwalimu, ni vizuri kwamba sisi tuko hapa. Tutengeneze vibanda vitatu: kimoja chako, kimoja cha Musa na kingine cha Eliya.” Petro hakujua aseme nini kwa maana yeye na wenzake walikuwa wameogopa sana.

Ndipo pakatokea wingu, likawafunika, na sauti kutoka katika wingu hilo ikasema, “Huyu ni mwanangu nimpendaye, msikilizeni yeye.” Mara walipotazama huku na huku hawakuona mtu mwingine tena isipokuwa Yesu.

Walipokuwa wakiteremka mlimani, Yesu akawakataza wasim wambie mtu ye yote mambo waliyoona, mpaka yeye Mwana wa Mungu atakapofufuka kutoka kwa wafu. 10 Wakatii agizo hilo, lakini wakawa wanajadiliana kati yao maana ya ‘Kufufuka kutoka kwa wafu.’ 11 Wakamwuliza, “Kwa nini walimu wa sheria husema kwamba ni lazima Eliya aje kwanza kabla mambo haya hayajatokea?’ ’ 12 Yesu akawajibu, “Ni kweli, Eliya anakuja kwanza kusawazisha mambo yote. Hata hivyo, mbona imeandikwa kwamba Mimi, Mwana wa Adamu ni lazima niteseke sana na kudharauliwa? 13 Lakini nina waambia, Eliya amekwisha kuja na wamemtendea walivyopenda, kama Maandiko yasemavyo juu yake.”

Yesu Amponya Mvulana Mwenye Pepo

14 Walipowafikia wale wanafunzi wengine, waliwakuta wame zungukwa na umati mkubwa wa watu na baadhi ya walimu wa sheria wakibishana nao. 15 Mara wale watu walipomwona Yesu, walistaaj abu sana, wakamkimbilia, wakamsalimu. 16 Akawauliza wanafunzi wake, “Mnabishana nini nao?”

17 Mtu mmoja katika ule umati wa watu akajibu, “Mwalimu, nimemleta kwako mtoto wangu wa kiume kwa maana amepagawa na pepo ambaye amemfanya kuwa bubu. 18 Kila mara pepo huyo amwingiapo mwanangu, humwangusha chini na kumfanya atokwe povu mdomoni na kusaga meno, kisha mwili wake hukauka. Nimewaomba wanafunzi wako wamtoe pepo huyo, lakini hawakuweza.”

19 Yesu akawaambia, “Ninyi kizazi kisicho na imani! Nita kuwa nanyi mpaka lini? Nitawavumilia mpaka lini? Mleteni huyo mtoto kwangu!” 20 Wakamleta. Yule pepo alipomwona Yesu, alimtia yule mvulana kifafa, akaanguka chini akajiviringisha viringisha huku akitokwa na povu mdomoni. 21 Yesu akamwuliza baba yake, “Mwanao amekuwa na hali hii tangu lini?” Akamjibu, “Tangu utoto wake. 22 Na mara nyingi huyo pepo amemwangusha kwenye moto au kwenye maji ili kuangamiza maisha yake. Lakini kama wewe unaweza kufanya cho chote, tafadhali tuonee huruma, utusaidie.” 23 Yesu akasema, “Kama unaweza! Kila kitu kinawezekana kwa mtu mwenye imani.” 24 Ndipo yule baba akasema kwa sauti, “Ninaamini. Nisaidie niweze kuamini zaidi!” 25 Naye Yesu ali poona umati wa watu unazidi kusongana kuja hapo walipokuwa, akam kemea yule pepo mchafu akisema, “Wewe pepo bubu na kiziwi, naku amuru umtoke, usimwingie tena!” 26 Yule pepo akapiga kelele, akamtia kifafa kwa nguvu kisha akatoka. Yule mvulana alionekana kama amekufa; kwa hiyo watu wengi wakasema, “Amekufa.” 27 Lakini Yesu akamshika mkono akamwinua, naye akasimama.

28 Walipokwisha kuingia ndani ya nyumba, wanafunzi wake wakamwuliza wakiwa peke yao, “Mbona sisi hatukuweza kumtoa huyo pepo?” 29 Yesu akawajibu, “Pepo wa aina hii hawezi kutoka isi pokuwa kwa maombi.”

Yesu Azungumzia Tena Kifo Chake

30 Wakaondoka mahali hapo, wakapitia Galilaya. Yesu haku taka mtu ye yote afahamu walipokuwa 31 kwa maana alikuwa anawa fundisha wanafunzi wake. Alikuwa akiwaambia, “Mimi Mwana wa Adamu nitasalitiwa mikononi mwa watu ambao wataniua, lakini siku ya tatu baada ya kuuawa, nitafufuka.” 32 Lakini wao hawakuelewa alichokuwa akisema na waliogopa kumwuliza.

Mabishano Kuhusu Aliye Mkuu

33 Basi wakafika Kapernaumu na baada ya kuingia nyumbani akawauliza, “Mlikuwa mnabishana nini njiani?” 34 Lakini hawa kumjibu, kwa sababu njiani walikuwa wakibishana kuhusu nani kati yao alikuwa mkuu zaidi.

35 Akaketi chini, akawaita wote kumi na wawili akawaambia: “Mtu anayetaka kuwa kiongozi hana budi kuwa wa chini kuliko wote na kuwa mtumishi wa wote.” 36 Kisha akamchukua mtoto mdogo akamweka mbele yao, akamkumbatia akawaambia, 37 “Mtu ye yote amkaribishaye mmoja wa hawa watoto wadogo, ananikaribisha mimi. Na ye yote anayenikaribisha mimi anamkaribisha Baba yangu ali yenituma.”

Kutumia Jina La Yesu

38 Yohana akamwambia, “Mwalimu, tumemwona mtu akitoa pepo kwa jina lako tukamzuia kwa sababu yeye si mmoja wetu.” 39 Yesu akasema, “Msimzuie, ye yote atendaye miujiza kwa jina langu kwani hawezi kunigeuka mara moja na kunisema vibaya. 40 Kwa maana ye yote ambaye si adui yetu yuko upande wetu. 41 Ninawahakikishia kwamba mtu atakayewapa japo maji ya kunywa kwa kuwa ninyi ni wafuasi wangu, atapewa tuzo.”

Kuhusu Kuwakwaza Wengine

42 “Na mtu atakayesababisha mmojawapo wa hawa wadogo waniaminio kupoteza imani yake, ingalikuwa nafuu kama mtu huyo angefungiwa jiwe kubwa shingoni akatupwa ziwani. 43 Kama mkono wako ukikusababisha utende dhambi, ukate. Ni afadhali kuingia katika uzima ukiwa na mkono mmoja kuliko kuwa na mikono miwili ukaingia katika moto usiozimika. [ 44 Huko funza hawafi wala moto hauzimiki.] 45 Na kama mguu wako ukikusababisha utende dhambi, ukate. Ni afadhali kuingia katika uzima ukiwa kiwete kuliko kuwa na miguu miwili ukaingia katika moto usiozimika. [ 46 Huko funza hawafi wala moto hauzimiki.] 47 Na kama jicho lako litakusababisha utende dhambi, ling’oe. Ni afadhali kuwa chongo ukaingia katika Ufalme wa Mungu kuliko kuwa na macho mawili ukatupwa Jehena. 48 Huko funza hawafi wala moto hauzimiki. 49 Wote watatiwa chumvi kwa moto. 50 “Chumvi ni nzuri, lakini ikipoteza ladha yake utafanya nini ili iweze kukolea tena? Muwe na chumvi ndani yenu. Muishi pamoja kwa amani.”