Acts 6
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Basi ikawa katika siku hizo, wakati idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa ikiongezeka sana, palitokea manungʼuniko kati ya Wayahudi wa Kiyunani, dhidi ya Waebrania kwa sababu wajane wao walisahaulika katika mgawanyo wa chakula wa kila siku.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wale mitume kumi na wawili wakakusanya wanafunzi wote pamoja wakasema, “Haitakuwa vyema sisi kuacha huduma ya neno la Mungu ili kuhudumu mezani.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Kwa hiyo ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, watu wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho Mtakatifu na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi kazi hii,
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
nasi tutatumia muda wetu kuomba na huduma ya neno.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Yale waliyosema yakawapendeza watu wote, nao wakamchagua Stefano (mtu aliyejawa na imani na Roho Mtakatifu) pamoja na Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanori, Timoni, Parmena na Nikolao, mwongofu kutoka Antiokia.
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.
Wakawaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono juu yao.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea. Idadi ya wanafunzi ikazidi kuongezeka sana katika Yerusalemu hata makuhani wengi wakaitii ile imani.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Stefano, akiwa amejaa neema na nguvu za Mungu, alifanya ishara na miujiza mikubwa miongoni mwa watu.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Hata hivyo, ukainuka upinzani wa watu wa Sinagogi la Watu Huru (kama lilivyokuwa linaitwa), la Wayahudi wa Kirene na wa Iskanderia, na wengine kutoka Kilikia na Asia. Watu hawa wakaanza kupingana na Stefano.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hekima yake wala huyo Roho ambaye alisema kwake.
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.
Ndipo kwa siri wakawashawishi watu fulani waseme, “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Mose na dhidi ya Mungu.”
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,
Wakawachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria, nao wakamkamata Stefano wakamfikisha mbele ya baraza.
13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Wakaweka mashahidi wa uongo ambao walishuhudia wakisema, “Mtu huyu kamwe haachi kusema dhidi ya mahali hapa patakatifu na dhidi ya Sheria.
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Kwa maana tumemsikia akisema kwamba Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu mahali patakatifu na kubadili desturi zote tulizopewa na Mose.”
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Watu wote waliokuwa wameketi katika baraza wakimkazia macho Stefano, wakaona uso wake unangʼaa kama uso wa malaika.
