Acts 16
1 THEN he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold! a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman, who believed; but his father was a Greek:
Paulo alifika Derbe na Lustra, ambako aliishi mfuasi mmoja aitwaye Timotheo. Mama yake ambaye pia alikuwa mfuasi, alikuwa Myahudi; lakini baba yake alikuwa Mgiriki.
2 who was highly spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium.
Timotheo alikuwa na sifa kubwa kati ya wale ndugu wa Lustra na Ikonio.
3 Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.
Paulo alitaka Timotheo aandamane naye safarini, kwa hiyo alimtahiri. Alifanya hivyo kwa sababu Wayahudi wote walioishi sehemu hizo walijua kwamba baba yake Timotheo alikuwa Mgiriki.
4 So as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the ordinances decreed by the apostles and presbyters that were at Jerusalem.
Walipokuwa wanapita katika ile miji waliwapa watu yale maagizo yaliyotolewa na mitume na wazee kule Yerusalemu, wakawaambia wayazingatie.
5 Then were the churches established truly in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Hivyo, yale makanisa yalizidi kuwa imara katika imani, na idadi ya waumini ikaongezeka kila siku.
6 So passing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia,
Walipitia sehemu za Frugia na Galatia kwani Roho Mtakatifu hakuwaruhusu kuhubiri huo ujumbe mkoani Asia.
7 coming as far as Mysia, they made an effort to go unto Bythinia: but the Spirit permitted them not.
Walipofika kwenye mipaka ya Musia, walijaribu kuingia mkoani Bithunia, lakini Roho wa Yesu hakuwaruhusu.
8 Whereupon passing by Mysia they went down to Troas.
Basi, walipitia Musia, wakaenda moja kwa moja mpaka Troa.
9 And a vision by night appeared to Paul; a certain man, a Macedonian, stood by him, entreating him, and saying, Pass over into Macedonia, and help us.
Usiku huo, Paulo aliona ono ambalo alimwona mtu mmoja wa Makedonia amesimama pale na kumwomba: “Vuka, uje Makedonia ukatusaidie.”
10 But when he saw the vision, immediately we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Mara baada ya Paulo kuona ono hilo, tulijitayarisha kwenda Makedonia bila kukawia, tukiwa na hakika kwamba Mungu ametuita tuwapelekee Habari Njema.
11 Therefore sailing from Troas, we came in a direct course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis;
Kutoka Troa, tulisafiri kwa meli moja kwa moja mpaka Samothrake, na kesho yake tukatia nanga Neapoli.
12 and from thence to Philippi, which is the first city in that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we abode in that city some days.
Kutoka huko, tulikwenda mpaka Filipi, mji wa wilaya ya kwanza ya Makedonia, na ambao pia ni koloni la Waroma. Tulikaa katika mji huo siku kadhaa.
13 And on the sabbath-day we went forth out of the city to the river side, where an oratory was by custom established; and sitting down, we spoke to the women who there assembled.
Siku ya Sabato tulitoka nje ya mji, tukaenda kando ya mto ambapo tulidhani ya kuwa ni mahali pa kusali. Tuliketi, tukaongea na wanawake waliokusanyika mahali hapo.
14 And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple, from the city of Thyatira, a worshipper of God, hearkened: whose heart the Lord thoroughly opened, to attend to the words spoken by Paul.
Miongoni mwa wale waliotusikiliza alikuwa mwanamke mmoja mcha Mungu aitwaye Ludia mwenyeji wa Thuatira, ambaye alikuwa mfanyabiashara ya nguo za kitani za rangi ya zambarau. Bwana aliufungua moyo wake hata akayapokea yale maneno Paulo aliyokuwa anasema.
15 So when she was baptised, and her house, she entreated, saying, Since ye have judged that I am faithful to the Lord, come and abide at my house. And she constrained us.
Baada ya huyo mama pamoja na jamaa yake kubatizwa, alitualika akisema, “Kama kweli mmeona kwamba mimi namwamini Bwana, karibuni nyumbani kwangu mkakae.” Akatuhimiza twende.
16 Now it happened as we were going to the oratory, a certain damsel having a pythonic spirit met us, who produced for her masters much gain as a fortuneteller:
Siku moja, tulipokuwa tunakwenda mahali pa kusali, msichana mmoja aliyekuwa na pepo mwenye uwezo wa kuagua alikutana nasi. Msichana huyo alikuwa anawapatia matajiri wake fedha nyingi kwa uaguzi wake.
17 she following Paul and us, cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, who preach to you the way of salvation.
Basi, huyo msichana alimfuata Paulo na sisi, akipiga kelele na kusema, “Hawa watu ni watumishi wa Mungu Mkuu. Wanawatangazieni njia ya wokovu.”
18 And this she did for several days. Then Paul was wearied out, and turning, said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour.
Akawa anafanya hivyo kwa siku nyingi hata siku moja Paulo alikasirika, akamgeukia na kumwambia huyo pepo, “Nakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu Kristo, mtoke huyu!” Mara huyo pepo akamtoka.
19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the forum before the chief rulers,
Matajiri wa yule msichana walipoona kwamba tumaini lao la kupata mali limekwisha, waliwakamata Paulo na Sila, wakawaburuta mpaka hadharani, mbele ya wakuu.
20 and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews,
Wakawashtaki kwa mahakimu wakisema, “Watu hawa ni Wayahudi na wanafanya fujo katika mji wetu.
21 and enjoin customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to practise, being Romans.
Wanafundisha desturi ambazo sisi raia wa Roma haturuhusiwi kuzikubali wala kuzifuata.”
22 And the populace stood up together against them: and the magistrates, after having had their garments torn from their backs, commanded them to be beaten with rods.
Kundi la watu likajiunga nao, likawashambulia. Wale mahakimu wakawatatulia Paulo na Sila mavazi yao, wakaamuru wapigwe viboko.
23 And laying on them many stripes, cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them in safe custody:
Baada ya kupigwa sana wakatiwa ndani, na askari wa gereza akaamriwa kuwaweka chini ya ulinzi mkali.
24 who, receiving such an injunction, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Kutokana na maagizo hayo, huyo askari aliwaweka katika chumba cha ndani kabisa cha gereza na kuifunga miguu yao kwenye nguzo.
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas, after joining in prayer, sang hymns to God: and the prisoners heard them.
Karibu na usiku wa manane Paulo na Sila walikuwa wakisali na kuimba nyimbo za kumsifu Mungu, huku wafungwa wengine wakiwa wanasikiliza.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken: and instantly all the doors flew open, and every man’s chains were loosed.
Ghafla, kulitokea mtetemeko mkuu wa ardhi ambao uliitikisa misingi ya gereza. Mara, milango yote ikafunguka na minyororo iliyowafunga hao wafungwa ikaachana.
27 Then the jailor being roused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, going to destroy himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped.
Askari wa gereza alipoamka na kuiona milango ya gereza imefunguliwa, alidhani kwamba wafungwa wote walikuwa wametoroka na hivyo akauchomoa upanga wake, akataka kujiua.
28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no injury: for we are all here.
Lakini Paulo akaita kwa sauti kubwa: “Usijidhuru mwenyewe kwa maana sisi sote tuko hapa.”
29 Thereupon calling for a light, he rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas;
Baada ya kumwita mtu alete taa, huyo askari wa gereza alikimbilia ndani, akajitupa mbele ya miguu ya Paulo na Sila huku akitetemeka kwa hofu.
30 and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved?
Halafu aliwaongoza nje, akawauliza, “Waheshimiwa, nifanye nini nipate kuokoka?”
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house.
Wao wakamjibu, “Mwamini Bwana Yesu nawe utaokolewa pamoja na jamaa yako yote.”
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house.
Basi, wakamhubiria neno la Bwana yeye pamoja na jamaa yake.
33 And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately.
Yule askari aliwachukua saa ileile ya usiku akawasafisha majeraha yao, kisha yeye na jamaa yake wakabatizwa papo hapo.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he spread the table, and greatly rejoiced with all his household, believing in God.
Halafu akawachukua Paulo na Sila nyumbani kwake, akawapa chakula. Yeye na jamaa yake yote wakafanya sherehe kwa vile sasa walikuwa wanamwamini Mungu.
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Set those men at large.
Kesho yake asubuhi, mahakimu waliwatuma maofisa wao wakisema, “Wafungueni wale watu.”
36 Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, said he, get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace.
Yule askari wa gereza alimpasha habari Paulo: “Mahakimu wametuma ujumbe ili mfunguliwe. Sasa mnaweza kutoka na kwenda zenu kwa amani.”
37 But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Lakini Paulo alimjibu, “Ati nini? Ingawa hatukuwa na kosa, walitupiga viboko hadharani hali sisi ni raia wa Roma. Tena, walitutia ndani na sasa wanataka kutufungulia kwa siri! Hata kidogo! Ni lazima wao wenyewe waje hapa watufungulie.”
38 Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens.
Hao maofisa waliwapasha habari mahakimu juu ya jambo hilo, nao waliposikia kwamba Paulo na Sila walikuwa raia wa Roma, waliogopa.
39 So they came and spoke kindly to them, and fetching them out, besought them to depart from the city.
Hivyo, walikwenda kuwataka radhi na baada ya kuwatoa ndani waliwaomba watoke katika mji ule.
40 Then leaving the prison, they went unto Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and went their way.
Paulo na Sila walitoka gerezani, wakaenda nyumbani kwa Ludia. Huko walionana na ndugu waumini na baada ya kuwatia moyo wakaondoka.
