Masengo 23
1 Che Paolo ŵalolechesye kwannope ŵankungulu ŵala ni ŵatandite kuŵecheta achitiji, “Achalongo achinjangu, naatumichile Akunnungu kwa ntima wambone mpaka lelo jino.”
Paul looked straight at the Jewish council members and said: “My fellow Jews, all my life I have lived respecting our God, and I do not know of anything that I have done that I knew was wrong/evil.”
2 Pelepo che Anania Jwambopesi Jwankulu ŵalamwile kuti aŵala ŵaŵaliji kuŵandikana ni che Paolo ŵapute lijanda pakang'wa jao.
When Ananias the supreme priest [heard what Paul said], he commanded the men who were standing near Paul to hit him on the mouth.
3 Nipele, che Paolo ŵansalile che Anania, “Akunnungu nsyene champute alakwe jwaulamba! Ana nomwejo nteemi pelepo kuti mulamule malinga ni malajisyo nomweji mwasyene ngankugakuya malajisyo kwa kwasalila ŵandu aambute?”
Then Paul said to Ananias, “God will punish you [(sg) for that], you hypocrite [MET]! You sit there and judge me, using the laws that [God gave Moses]. But you [yourself] disobey those laws, because you commanded me to be struck {[these men] to strike me} [without having proved that I have done anything that is wrong!]”
4 Ŵandu ŵaŵajimi pepala ŵala ŵansalile che Paolo “Mmwejo, nkuntukana Jwambopesi Jwankulu jwa Akunnungu?”
The men who were standing near Paul [rebuked him. They] said, “Are not you [(sg)] afraid to insult God’s [servant, our] supreme priest?”
5 Ni che Paolo ŵatite, “Achalongo achinjangu nganinamanyililaga kuti ŵelewo ali Jŵambopesi Jwankulu. Pakuŵa Malembelo ga Akunnungu gakuti, ‘Ngasimmecheta yangalimate nkati jwankulu jwa ŵandu ŵenu.’”
Paul replied, “My fellow Jews, I [am sorry that I said that]. I did not know that the man [who told one of you to hit me] is the high priest. [If I had known that, I would not have insulted our supreme priest], because I [know that] it is written {[that Moses] wrote} [in our Jewish law], ‘Do not speak evil of any of your rulers!’”
6 Nipele che Paolo ŵaimanyilile kuti mpingo umo wa ŵankungulu ŵala waliji Masadukayo ni wine waliji Mafalisayo. Nipele ŵanyanyisye kwannope paujo pa nkungulu ula achitiji, “Achalongo achinjangu, uneji ndili Mfalisayo mwanache jwa Mfalisayo. Uneji ndili pa nkungulu pa kulamulikwa ligongo ngulolela kuti ŵawe chasyuche.”
Paul realized that some of the [Council members] were Sadducees and others were Pharisees. So, [in order to cause the Pharisees and Sadducees to argue among themselves instead of accusing him], he called out loudly in the Council [hall], “My fellow Jews, I am a Pharisee, like my father was. I have been put {[You] have put me} on trial [here] because I confidently expect that [some day God] will (cause people who have died to become alive again/raise people from the dead).”
7 Palapala paŵaŵechete yeleyo, gakopochele makani gamakulungwa pasikati ja Mafalisayo ni Masadukayo ni nkungulu ula wasapulene.
When he said that, the Pharisees and Sadducees started to argue with one another [about whether people who have died will become alive again or not].
8 Pakuŵa Masadukayo akuti nganikupagwa kusyuka atamuno achikatumetume ŵa kwinani, ni mbumu nombe nasyo nganisipagwa. Nambo Mafalisayo akwitichisya yanayose itatu.
The Sadducees believe that after people die, they will not become alive again. They also believe that there are no angels and no [other kinds of] spirits. But the Pharisees believe [that all people who have died will one day become alive again. They also believe] that there are [angels and other kinds of spirits].
9 Ngomo sila syapundile ni ŵampepe mwa ŵakwiganya Malajisyo ga Akunnungu gaŵapele che Musa ŵa mpingo ŵa Mafalisayo ŵajimi ni koposya maloŵe gao kwamachili achitiji, “Ngatukugawona magambo gagaligose kwa mundu ju, ikukomboleka mbumu pane katumetume jwa kwinani aŵechete ni jwelejo.”
So the Council members (were divided/did not agree with each other), and they began shouting at one another [as they argued]. Some of the teachers of the laws that [God gave Moses] who were Pharisees stood up. One of them said, “We [(exc)] think that this man has done nothing wrong.” Another said, “Maybe an angel or some [other] spirit [really] spoke to him [and what he says is true].”
10 Makani gala gapundile kuŵa gamakulungwa nnope, nipele jwankulu jwa ŵangondo jula ŵajogopaga kuti ŵandu ŵala chankatanye che Paolo iŵaloiŵalo. Nipele, ŵaalamwile ŵangondo ŵakwe atuluchile kwauli mpingo wa ŵandu kula ni kunjigala che Paolo kwa machili ni kunjausya nkati.
Then the [Pharisees and Sadducees] argued even more loudly [with one another]. As a result, the commander (was afraid/thought) that they would tear Paul to pieces. So he [commanded] soldiers to go down [from the barracks] and forcefully take Paul away from the Council members and bring him up into the barracks. [So the soldiers did that].
11 Chilo cho, Ambuje ŵajimi chiŵandi ni che Paolo ni kuti, “Nkamulisye ntima! Mumalasile umboni pa Yelusalemu pano, chintende iyoyo peyo ni ku Loma.”
That night, [in a vision Paul saw] the Lord [Jesus come and] stand near him. The Lord said [to him], “Be courageous! You [(sg)] have told people [here] in Jerusalem about me, and you must tell people in Rome [about me], too.”
12 Pikwachele, Ŵayahudi ŵatesile ntemela. Ni ŵalitaŵilile kuti, “Ngatulya pane kung'wa chachili chose mpaka pachitwaulaje che Paolo.”
The next morning [some] of the Jews [MTY] [who hated Paul] met secretly and talked [about how they could kill him]. They promised [themselves] that they would not eat or drink anything until they had killed him. They asked God to curse them [if they did not do what they promised].
13 Ŵandu ŵaŵatesile yeleyo wo ŵaliji ŵandu mpela alobaini.
There were more than 40 men who planned to do that.
14 Nipele, ŵandu wo ŵajawile kwa achakulu ŵambopesi ni achachekulu ni kuti, “Tulitaŵilile twachinsyene kuti ngatupasya chachili chose mpaka pachitwaulaje che Paolo.
They went to the chief priests and [Jewish] elders and told them, “God has heard us promise/vow that we [(exc)] will not eat [or drink] anything until we [(exc)] have killed Paul.
15 Nipele sano, ŵanyamwe pamo ni ŵankungulu nnajisye utenga kwa jwankulu jwa ŵangondo mia moja kuti antulusye kukwenu nchinamanilaga kuti nkusakanga kumanyilila uchenene magambo gakwe. Noweji akanaŵandichile tuliŵichile chile kummulaga.”
So [we request that] you go to the commander and ask him, on behalf of the whole Jewish Council, to bring Paul down to us [from the barracks]. Tell the commander that you want to question Paul some more. But we [(exc)] will be waiting to kill Paul while he is on the way here.”
16 Nambo mwipwagwe che Paolo ŵapilikene ngani jo, nipele ŵaiche ni kwinjila mu likome mula ni kwasalila che Paolo nkati ngani jo.
But the son of Paul’s sister heard what they were planning to do, so he went into the barracks and told Paul.
17 Che Paolo ŵammilasile jumo jwa ŵangondo ni kunsalila, “Munjausye nchanda ju kwa jwankulu jwa ŵangondo mia moja pakuŵa akwete chindu chakwasalila.”
[When Paul heard that], he called one of the officers and said to him, “[Please] take this young man to the commander, because he needs to tell him something [important].”
18 Jwangondo jula ŵanjigele nchanda jula ni kulongana nawo mpaka kwa jwankulu jwa ŵangondo ni kuti, “Che Paolo jwantawe jula ŵamilasile ni kuumenda kuti nannyichenawo jwanchanda ju kukwenu pakuŵa akwete indu yakwasalila.”
So the officer took Paul’s nephew to the commander. The officer said to the commander, “That prisoner, Paul, called me and said, ‘Please take this young man to the commander, because he needs to tell him something [important].’”
19 Jwankulu jwa ŵangondo jula ŵankamwile nchanda jula nkono, ŵanjigele pachisyepela ni kummusya, “Ana nkusaka kuusalila chichi?”
The commander took the young man by the hand, led him off by himself, and asked him, “What do you [(sg)] need to tell me?”
20 Nchanda jula ŵatite, “Ŵayahudi alangene kummenda alakwe malaŵi munjausye che Paolo pa Nkungulu, achinamanilaga kuti akusaka amanyilile uchenene ngani syakwe.
The young man said, “[There are some] [SYN] Jews who have planned to ask you [(sg)] to bring Paul before their Council tomorrow. They will say that they want to ask him some more questions. [But that is not true].
21 Nambo alakwe ngasimwajitichisya pakuŵa kwana ŵandu kupunda alobaini ŵakwajuŵilila kwaulaga. Alitaŵilile kuti ngalya natamuno kung'wa chachili chose mpaka ŵaulaje che Paolo ni sambano akulolela ichinjile pakulamula.”
Do not do what they ask you [(sg)] to do, because there are more than 40 [Jewish] men who will be hiding and waiting [to attack Paul when he passes by on the way to the Council]. They even promised/vowed to God that they will not eat or drink anything until they have killed Paul. They are ready [to do it], and right now they are waiting for you [(sg)] to agree [to do what they are asking you to do].”
22 Nipele jwankulu jwa ŵangondo jula ŵanlesile nchanda jula ajaule ni kunjamuka kuti, “Nkasala kwa mundu jwalijose kuti mumanyisye yeleyo.”
The commander said to [Paul’s] young nephew, “Do not tell anyone that you [(sg)] have told me [about their plan].” Then he sent the young man away.
23 Nipele jwankulu jwa ŵangondo mia moja jula ŵaaŵilasile achakulu ŵaŵili mwa ŵangondo ŵakwe ni kwalajisya, “Mwaŵiche chile ŵangondo mia mbili ni ŵangondo ŵakwela mu falasi sabini ni ŵangondo ŵa mipamba mia mbili ajaulangane ku Kaisalia saa tatu ja chilo cha lelo.
Then the commander called two of his officers and told them, “Get a group of 200 soldiers ready [to travel]. Take along 70 soldiers riding horses, and 200 other soldiers carrying spears. [All of you must be ready] to leave at nine o’clock tonight, to go [down] to Caesarea.
24 Mwaŵiche chile falasi ŵampepe kuti ŵakwesye che Paolo aiche uchenene ku che Felikisi jwankulu jwa Chiloma mu chilambo cha ku Yudea.”
And take along horses for Paul [and those accompanying him] to ride, and safely escort him to [the palace of] Governor Felix.”
25 Jwankulu jwa ŵangondo mia moja jula ŵalembile chikalata chanti nyi.
Then the commander wrote a letter [to send to the governor]. This is what he wrote:
26 “Ngunnamuchila alakwe che Felikisi jwankulu jwa Chiloma mu chilambo cha ku Yudea, uneji che Kilaudio Lusia ngunlembela.
“[I am] Claudius Lysias [writing to you]. You, Felix, are our governor whom we [(exc)] respect, [and I sincerely send you] my greetings.
27 Ŵayahudi ŵankamwile Mundu ju ni ŵatiji ammulaje. Nambo panaimanyi kuti ali Mloma nipele najawile ni mpingo wa ŵangondo kukunkulupusya.
I [have sent you(sg)] this man, [Paul, because certain] Jews seized him and were about to kill him. But I heard [someone tell me] that he is a Roman citizen, so I and my soldiers went and rescued him.
28 Nanjawisye ku Nkungulu wao wekulu njisakaga kuti manyilile magambo gaŵaŵechetelaga.
I wanted to know what those Jews were saying that he had done wrong, so I took him to their Jewish Council.
29 Naimanyi kuti ŵaaŵechetelaga nkati malajisyo gao, nambo uneji naiweni kuti nganakola magambo gagaligose gakuŵajilwa kuulajikwa atamuno kwataŵa mu nyuumba jakutaŵilwa.
I listened [while they asked this man questions and he answered them]. The things [they] accused him about were entirely concerned with their [Jewish] laws. But Paul has not disobeyed any of our [Roman] laws. [So our officials] should not execute him or [even] put him in prison [MTY].
30 Ŵandu paŵamanyisye une kuti Ŵayahudi akusosa itajile pakumbulaga mundu ju, pangakaŵa nalamwile kwaikanawo kukwenu, ni naasalile ŵaŵaŵechetelaga wo kuti aŵechete magambo gao kukwenu.”
[Someone] told me that some [SYN] Jews were secretly planning to kill this man, so I immediately am sending him to you, [so that you(sg) may give him a fair trial there]. I have also [commanded] the Jews who have accused him to [go there to Caesarea and] tell you [(sg) what they are accusing him about].”
31 Nipele ŵangondo ŵanjigele che Paolo mpela iŵatite pakusalilwa ni chilo chichocho ŵanjawisye ku Antipatili.
So the soldiers did what [the commander commanded] them, [taking this letter with them]. They [got Paul and] took him with them during the night [down] to Antipatris [city].
32 Malaŵi jakwe ŵangondo mia mbili ŵaŵajendaga wamakongolo ŵaujile ku likome, ŵaalesile ŵangondo ŵaŵakwesile falasi ŵala ajendelechele ni ulendo wa kwapechesya che Paolo.
The next day, the foot soldiers returned to the barracks [in Jerusalem], and the soldiers who rode horses went on with Paul.
33 Ŵangondo ŵaŵakwesile falasi paŵaiche ku Kaisalia, ŵampele che Felikisi jwankulu jwa chilambo jo chikalata chila ni kwaŵika che Paolo mu ulamusi wao.
When the men escorting Paul arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor, and they delivered Paul to the governor. [Then the horsemen returned to Jerusalem].
34 Jwankulu jwa chilambo paŵachisyomile chikalata chila ŵausisye kuti che Paolo wa musi chi. Paŵapilikene kuti jwa ku Kilikia,
The governor read the letter, and then he said to Paul, “What province are you [(sg)] from?” [Paul answered], “I am from Cilicia [province].”
35 ŵatite, “Chinagapilikanile magambo genu pataiche ŵandu ŵakumbechetela.” Nipele ŵalamwile kuti ŵaagose che Paolo mu nyuumba ja chimwenye ji che Helode.
Then the governor said, “When the people who have accused you [(sg)] arrive, I will listen [to what each of you says] and then I will judge your case.” Then he [commanded] that Paul be guarded {[soldiers] to guard Paul} in the palace that King Herod [the Great had built].
