The English-Kalanga Bilingual Language Learning Bible
Old Testament
Read each verse in English beside its African Kalanga equivalent.
1 Samuel 14English
1 Samuwele 14African Kalanga
- English1
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
African KalangaKwakati limwe zhuba Jonatani nkololo wa Saulo kadwa nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe kati, “Ngatiyende, ku ikwata tje babhayani be Bafilisitiya tjandiyeno.” Koga wakabe asabudza tate babe.
- English2
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,
African KalangaSaulo wakabe egala ku ndzibo we Gibiya kusi kwe nti we pomegiranate mu Migironi, ana bathu bangabe mazana ali matathatu (600).
- English3
among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
African KalangaMubali kwakabe kuna Ahija nkololo wa Ahitubu, batatenini babe ili Ikhabodi, Ahija iwoyu, batategulu babe bakabe bali Finihasi nkololo wa Eli mpirisiti wa Yahwe mu Shilo. Ahija wakabe e ambala khiba ye bupirisiti. Ipapo bathu bakabe basingazibe kuti Jonatani wayenda.
- English4
On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh.
African KalangaMu nkoto we dombo wakabe Jonatani eshoko bhuda ndiwo, eyenda ku ikwata tje babhayani be Bafilisitiya, kwakabe kuna shongwe dzimile dzakashongoloka dzakabe dzinging'wa pakati kwadzo, zina le imwe shongwe lakabe liyi Bhozezi imwe iye Sene.
- African Kalanga
Imwe shongwe yakabe yakashongoloka ili ku bunandzwa kulingisana ne Mikimashi, imwe ilimile ku burwa kulingisana ne Gebha.
- English6
Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
African KalangaJonatani wakadwa nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe kati, “Ngatiyende ku ikwata tje babhayani ibabaje basakathumbigwa, pamwe Yahwe banowotibhatsha, akuna tjingama Yahwe mbeli kutitjidza nge bunji kene nge bushomanana.”
- English7
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
African KalangaNsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe kandwa kati, “Thamani tjimwe ne tjimwe tjamakakumbula, dwililani, ndowoma namwi mu tjimwe ne tjimwe.”
- African Kalanga
Jonatani kandwa kakale kati, “Kwakalulwama, towotjulukila ku bali, tikabazwilakidza.
- English9
If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them.
African KalangaHa bangatidwa beti, ‘Imani ipapo kuswikilila tizha kumuli, towoma ipapo patinowobe tilipo, atitowotathila ku bali.’
- English10
But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”
African KalangaKoga ha bangatidwa beti, ‘Tathilani ngeno, towotathila ku bali, ngobe tjowobe tjili tjilakidzo mutili kuti Yahwe batipa kukunda.’ ”
- English11
So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.”
African KalangaNdizo bose bakazwilakidza ku babhayani be Bafilisitiya. Bafilisitiya bakati bebabona bakati, “Bonani! Bahebheru banobhuda mu mimwina yabakabe bakabgwata muili.”
- English12
The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”
African KalangaBalume be babhayani bakamimilila Jonatani ne nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe beti, “Izhani ngeno, towomulakidza tjamunoshaka!” Ndizo Jonatani kadwa nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe kati, “Undisale shule, ngobe Yahwe bapa Iziraela kukunda.”
- English13
Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.
African KalangaJonatani wakatathila pezhugwi nge maboko ne makumbo awe, nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe akantobela. Jonatani kanginilila Bafilisitiya kabatema kabaligila pasi, ngono nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe, kazha shule kukwe, kabakowobedza.
- English14
In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.
African KalangaMu kuthasela kwabo kwe kutanga Jonatani ne nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe bakabulaya balume bangaswika makumi mabili mu pathu pakaashama kungabe gwamu le ndima ye ng'ombe.
- English15
Then panic struck the whole army–those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties–and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.
African KalangaKukabe ne kupaluka moyo kukulu mu ikwata tje babhayani bose be Bafilisitiya bakabe bali mu mishasha ne bakabe bali ku magwilo ne bakabe bali batoleli, shango ikatengenyeka, bose bakabe ne kutja. Kutja ikoku kwakabe kudwa ku Ndzimu.
- African Kalanga
Balindi ba Saulo mu Gibiya mu ntuthu we Bhenjamini bakalinga, ngono bakabona mbunga we bathu uwundumuka utizhila yeno na yeno.
- English17
Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.
African KalangaNdizo Saulo kadwa babhayani baakabe anabo kati, “Danani mazina mubone kuti ndiboani bangabe basipo mutili.” Kwakati basinobe badana mazina, ngono bakawana Jonatani ne nsengi we zwibhayano zwizwe basipo.
- African Kalanga
Saulo kadwa Ahija kati, “Zhisa ngeno Bhokisi le Tjidumano tje Ndzimu.” Ngobe mu tjibaka itjetjo Bhokisi le Tjidumano tje Ndzimu lakabe liyenda ne Baiziraela.
- English19
While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
African KalangaKwakati Saulo atjalebeleka ne mpirisiti, zhoba imu mishasha ye Bafilisitiya ikakulila mbeli. Saulo kadwa mpirisiti kati, “Letjedza.”
- English20
Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.
African KalangaIpapo Saulo ne bathu bose bakabe banaye bakakubungana bakayenda ku ngwa, bakawana Bafilisitiya bebulayana ne makanu abo, ndizo kukabe ne kudziyana kukulu kwazo.
- English21
Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
African KalangaBahebheru bakabe bagala bana Bafilisitiya, bakayenda nabo ku ngwa, bakabashandukila, ngono bakabgwilila ku Baiziraela bakabe bana Saulo na Jonatani.
- English22
When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.
African KalangaKwakati Baiziraela bose bakabe babgwata mu shango ye matuthu ye Ifureimi, bewha kuti Bafilisitiya banotizha, na ibo bakatatana nabo mu ngwa.
- African Kalanga
Mu zhuba ilelo Yahwe bakagwila Baiziraela, ngono ngwa ikanopinda Bhetiaveni.
- English24
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.
African KalangaMu zhuba ilelo bathu be Iziraela bakadziyidzika kwazo, ngobe Saulo wakatunisa bathu kati, “Kube ne bhiso munli nthu unowoja zojiwa kutangila zhuba lingina, ndisathu azwibgwilizila mu zwita zwangu.” Ndizo akuna nlume wakalabila zojiwa.
- African Kalanga
Bathu ibaba bose bakangina mu ishaka, bawana butji gwe nyutji pasi.
- English26
When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.
African KalangaKwakati babhayani beswika mu ishaka, butji gwe nyutji gudotha, ngono akuna ne wakatola kayisa ku nlomo, ngobe bakatja tjisungo.
- English27
But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
African KalangaKoga Jonatani wakabe asawha kuti tate babe batunisa bathu, ndizo katola lukombo gwaakabe akabhata kabhayila theswi yago mu mape e nyutji, kayisa luboko ku nlomo uwe, mesho awe kabe epenya.
- English28
Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be any man who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”
African KalangaNgono mmwe we babhayani kandwa kati, “Tate babo bakatunisa bathu beti, ‘Una bhiso iye unowoja zojiwa mu zhuba la nasi. Ndizo bathu bakafa nge zhala.’ ”
- English29
Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.
African KalangaJonatani kabe eti, “Tate badziyidza shango, bona sekwa mesho angu wopenya ndiko, ngobe ndalabila butji gushomanana.
- English30
How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
African KalangaApa kobe kusayita, ha babhayani babe baja zwabo bakasungunuka zojiwa zwabatapa nasi mu zwita zwabo, ngwenu kobe kusabulawa Bafilisitiya nge bunji kene?”
- English31
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.
African KalangaMu zhuba ilelo, Baiziraela basinobulaya Bafilisitiya kudwa mu Mikimashi kunoti ku Aijaloni, bakabe batjinengetela nge zhala.
- English32
They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.
African KalangaNdizo bakawila zojiwa zwabatapa pezhugwi, bakatola pkhwizi ne ng'ombe ne phulu, bakazwibhayila pasi koga, bakaja nyama ibhizha malopa.
- English33
Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.” “You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”
African KalangaNdizo mmwe kanobikila Saulo eti, “Lingani, bathu banothamila Yahwe tjibi ngoja nyama ibhizha malopa.” Saulo kashandula eti, “Mathama nlandu, kunguludzilani bgwe gulu kundili.”
- English34
Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’” So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.
African KalangaSaulo kabadwa kati, “Yendani ku bathu, ngono mubadwe muti, ‘Mmwe ne mmwe azhise ng'ombe kene pkhwizi, bazhe bazwibhayile ipapa, bazwije, basithamile Yahwe tjibi ngoja nyama ibhizha malopa.’ ” Ndizo mmwe ne mmwe kazhisa ng'ombe iye busiku igogu kaibhayila ipapo.
- African Kalanga
Saulo kabakila Yahwe Tjibeso tje zwibhayilo, tjakabe tjili tje kutanga etjibaka.
- English36
Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.” “Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.”
African KalangaSaulo kabe eti, “Atitobeleni Bafilisitiya busiku, tibakikithidze kuswikila mangwanana kuyedza, kushete ne ng'ompela wabo watinowosiya etjila.” Babhayani bakashandula beti, “Thama tjaunobona tjakakululwamila tokubhatsha.” Ngono mpirisiti kabe eti, “Ngatizwisedzedzeni ku Ndzimu ipapa.”
- English37
So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.
African KalangaNdizo Saulo kabhuzwa Ndzimu eti, “Apa nditobele Bafilisitiya, mothama kuti bakundiwe nge Baiziraela kene?” Koga Ndzimu ukasin'dabile Zhuba ilelo.
- English38
Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today.
African KalangaSaulo kabe eti, “Izhani ngeno mose imwi batungamili be ikwata tje babhayani, ngatishakeni kuti kwathamwa tjibi tjipi nasi.
- English39
As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of the men said a word.
African KalangaNdolebesa ndotuna na Yahwe banotjila ibo bakagwila Iziraela, ha kuli kuti kumu nkololo wangu Jonatani, ndolebesa unowofa!” Koga mu bathu bose ibabo ukuna wakanshandula.
- English40
Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.” “Do what seems best to you,” the men replied.
African KalangaSaulo kadwa Baiziraela bose kati, “Imwi mume ikoko, imi ne nkololo wangu Jonatani towoma ndingeno.” Ngono bathu bakadabila beti, “Thama tjaunobona tjakakululwamila naswi tiyapobo.”
- English41
Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Give me the right answer.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.
African KalangaNdizo Saulo katembezela Yahwe Ndzimu we Iziraela kati, “Imwi Yahwe Ndzimu we Iziraela, ini musadabila nlanda wenyu nasi kene? Koga ha nlandu uwoyu uli mundili kene mu nkololo wangu Jonatani, imwi Yahwe Ndzimu we Iziraela mupe Urimu, koga ha nlandu uli mu bathu benyu Baiziraela mupe Thumimu.” Kukakandigwa kukabhakhwa Jonatani na Saulo, bathu bakasungunuka.
- African Kalanga
Ndizo Saulo kabe eti, “Kandilani pakati kwangu ne nkololo wangu Jonatani.” Ngono kukabhakhwa Jonatani.
- English43
Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, “I merely tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now must I die?”
African KalangaSaulo kadwa Jonatani kati, “Undibudze, wathamani kene?” Jonatani kambudza kati, “Ndakalabila butji gwe nyutji bushomanana nge theswi ye lukombo gwandakabe ndakabhata, yezo ndipano, ndingafa?”
- African Kalanga
Saulo kati, “Ndzimu undilobe upaphulula, ha usingake ukafa, Jonatani.”
- English45
But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die–he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
African KalangaBathu bakabhuzwa Saulo bakati, “Apa Jonatani unofa kene? Iye wakathama kukunda kukulu zwingapa mu Iziraela! Ndodwa! Totuna na Yahwe banotjila tjoselele, akuna vudzi mu nsholo uwe linowowila pasi, ngobe wathama ikoku nasi nge bhatsho ye Ndzimu.” Ndizo bathu bakasunungula Jonatani, ngono akasife.
- African Kalanga
Ndizo Saulo kaletjedza kutatana ne Bafilisitiya, ngono Bafilisitiya bakayenda kanyi kwabo.
- English47
After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.
African KalangaKwakati Saulo asinotola bushe gwe Iziraela, kabhayana ne zwita zwizwe zose pamwe ne pamwe, Moabu ne Baamoni ne Edomu na bomambo be Zobha, nenge Bafilisitiya, kumwe ne kumwe kwaakabe elingako wakabe ekunda.
- English48
He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.
African KalangaWakagwa akasima tjilopa, kakunda Baamaleki, kasunungula Baiziraela mu maboko e bakabe bakabatapa.
- English49
Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.
African KalangaIpapo bakololo ba Saulo bakabe ili Jonatani na Ishivi na Malikishuwa. Zina le nkololokadzi uwe whola lakabe liyi Merabhu ntjetjana kuyi Mikhali.
- English50
His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle.
African KalangaZina le nkadzi wa Saulo lakabe liyi Ahinoami nkololokadzi wa Ahimaazi. Zina le ntungamili we babhayani babe lakabe liyi Abineri nkololo wa Neri batatenini ba Saulo.
- African Kalanga
Kishi wakabe ali tate ba Saulo, ngono Neri ali tate ba Abineri, bakabe bali bakololo ba Abiele.
- English52
All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.
African KalangaKwakabe kuli ngwa yakasima ne Bafilisitiya mu misi yose ya Saulo, kwakabe kuti Saulo ebona nlume wakasima kene ali ngwi wakasima tjilopa kazwitolegwa iye kunshingisa.
Source: The English-Kalanga Bilingual Language Learning Bible, Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo, 2026. This online edition was extracted and reformatted from the PDF edition. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.