Acts 19
1 And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper districts, came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples,
Wakati Apolo alipokuwa Korintho, Paulo alisafiri sehemu za bara, akafika Efeso ambako aliwakuta wanafunzi kadhaa.
2 he said to them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said to him, No, we did not even hear whether there is a Holy Spirit.
Akauliza, “Je, mlipopata kuwa waumini mlipokea Roho Mtakatifu?” Nao wakamjibu, “La! Hata kusikia kwamba kuna Roho Mtakatifu hatujasikia.”
3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.
Naye akasema, “Sasa mlipata ubatizo wa namna gani?” Wakamjibu, “Ubatizo wa Yohane.”
4 Then said Paul, John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him that was coming after him; that is, on Jesus.
Naye Paulo akasema, “Ubatizo wa Yohane ulikuwa wa kuonyesha kwamba watu wametubu. Yohane aliwaambia watu wamwamini yule ambaye alikuwa anakuja baada yake, yaani Yesu.”
5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Baada ya kusikia hayo, walibatizwa kwa jina la Bwana Yesu.
6 And when Paul bad laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
Basi, Paulo akawawekea mikono, na Roho Mtakatifu akawashukia, wakaanza kusema lugha mbalimbali na kutangaza ujumbe wa Mungu.
7 And the men were about twelve in all.
Wote jumla, walikuwa watu wapatao kumi na wawili.
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for three months, discoursing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God.
Kwa muda wa miezi mitatu Paulo alikuwa akienda katika sunagogi, akawa na majadiliano ya kuvutia sana juu ya Ufalme wa Mungu.
9 But when some were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of the way [[of the Lord]] before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, discoursing daily in the school of Tyrannus.
Lakini wengine walikuwa wakaidi, wakakataa kuamini, wakaanza kuongea vibaya hadharani juu ya Njia ya Bwana. Hapo Paulo alivunja uhusiano nao, akawachukua pembeni wale wanafunzi wake, akawa anazungumza nao kila siku katika jumba la masomo la Turano.
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Aliendelea kufanya hivyo kwa muda wa miaka miwili hata wakazi wote wa Asia, Wayahudi na watu wa mataifa mengine, wakaweza kusikia neno la Bwana.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul;
Mungu alifanya miujiza ya ajabu kwa mikono ya Paulo.
12 so that even handkerchiefs, or aprons, were carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
Watu walikuwa wakichukua leso na nguo nyingine za kazi ambazo Paulo alikuwa amezitumia, wakazipeleka kwa wagonjwa, nao wakaponywa magonjwa yao; na wale waliokuwa na pepo wabaya wakatokwa na pepo hao.
13 Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists undertook to name over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by that Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Wayahudi kadhaa wenye kupunga pepo wabaya, walisafiri huko na huko, wakijaribu kulitumia jina la Bwana Yesu kwa wale waliokuwa wamepagawa na pepo wabaya. Walikuwa wakisema: “Ninawaamuru kwa jina la Yesu ambaye Paulo anamhubiri.”
14 And there were seven sons of Scevas, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
Watoto saba wa Skewa, Kuhani Mkuu wa Kiyahudi, walikuwa miongoni mwa hao waliokuwa wanafanya hivyo.
15 And the evil spirit answering said, Jesus I knew, and Paul I well know; but who are ye?
Lakini pepo mbaya aliwajibu, “Ninamfahamu Yesu, ninamjua pia Paulo, lakini ninyi ni nani?”
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them both, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Kisha yule mtu aliyepagawa aliwarukia wote kwa kishindo, akawashinda nguvu. Na hao watoto wa Skewa wakakimbia kutoka ile nyumba wakiwa uchi na wamejaa majeraha.
17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
Kila mtu huko Efeso, Myahudi na asiye Myahudi, alisikia juu ya tukio hilo. Wote waliingiwa na hofu, wakalitukuza jina la Bwana Yesu.
18 And many of the believers came, confessing and declaring their practices.
Waumini wengi walijitokeza wakakiri hadharani mambo waliyokuwa wametenda.
19 Many also of those who had practised magical arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Wengine waliokuwa wameshughulikia mambo ya uchawi hapo awali, walikusanya vitabu vyao, wakavichoma mbele ya wote. Walikisia gharama ya vitabu hivyo, wakaona yafikia vipande vya fedha elfu hamsini.
20 So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily.
Kwa namna hiyo, neno la Bwana lilizidi kuenea na kuwa na nguvu zaidi.
21 And when these things were ended, Paul resolved to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, and to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
Baada ya mambo hayo, Paulo aliamua kwenda Yerusalemu kwa kupitia Makedonia na Akaya. Alisema, “Baada ya kufika huko, itanilazimu kuona Roma pia.”
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Hivyo, aliwatuma wawili wa wasaidizi wake, Timotheo na Erasto, wamtangulie kwenda Makedonia, naye akabaki kwa muda huko Asia.
23 And about that time there arose no small tumult concerning the faith.
Wakati huo ndipo kulipotokea ghasia kubwa huko Efeso kwa sababu ya hiyo Njia ya Bwana.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, made silver shrines of Diana, and brought no small gain to the craftsmen.
Kulikuwa na mfua fedha mmoja aitwaye Demetrio, ambaye alikuwa na kazi ya kutengeneza sanamu za nyumba ya mungu wa kike aitwaye Artemi. Shughuli hiyo iliwapatia mafundi faida kubwa.
25 And having called them together, with the workmen of like occupation, he said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth;
Demetrio aliwakusanya hao wafanyakazi pamoja na wengine waliokuwa na kazi kama hiyo, akawaambia, “Wananchi, mnafahamu kwamba kipato chetu kinatokana na biashara hii.
26 and ye see and hear, that this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, not only of Ephesus, but of almost all Asia, saying, that those are not gods, which are made with hands.
Sasa, mnaweza kusikia na kujionea wenyewe mambo Paulo anayofanya, si tu hapa Efeso, ila pia kote katika Asia. Yeye amewashawishi na kuwageuza watu wakakubali kwamba miungu ile iliyotengenezwa na watu si miungu hata kidogo.
27 And there is not only danger that this branch of our business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be despised, and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.
Hivyo iko hatari kwamba biashara yetu itakuwa na jina baya. Si hivyo tu, bali pia jambo hilo linaweza kuifanya nyumba ya mungu Artemi kuwa si kitu cha maana. Hatimaye sifa zake huyo ambaye Asia na dunia yote inamwabudu, zitakwisha.”
28 And hearing this they became full of wrath, and kept crying out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians!
Waliposikia hayo, waliwaka hasira, wakaanza kupiga kelele: “Mkuu ni Artemi, wa Efeso!”
29 And the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.
Mji wote ukajaa ghasia. Wakawavamia Gayo na Aristarko, wenyeji wa Makedonia, ambao walikuwa wasafiri wenzake Paulo, wakakimbia nao mpaka kwenye ukumbi wa michezo.
30 And when Paul wished to go in to the people, the disciples would not suffer him.
Paulo mwenyewe alitaka kuukabili huo umati wa watu, lakini wale waumini walimzuia.
31 And some also of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to him, and entreated him not to venture into the theatre.
Maofisa wengine wa huo mkoa wa Asia, waliokuwa rafiki zake, walimtumia Paulo ujumbe wakimsihi asijihatarishe kwa kwenda kwenye ukumbi wa michezo.
32 Some therefore were crying one thing, and some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and the greater part knew not wherefore they had come together.
Wakati huo, kila mtu alikuwa anapayuka; wengine hili na wengine lile, mpaka hata ule mkutano ukavurugika. Wengi hawakujua hata sababu ya kukutana kwao.
33 And they brought forward Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward; and Alexander beckoned with his hand, desiring to make his defence to the people.
Kwa vile Wayahudi walimfanya Aleksanda ajitokeze mbele, baadhi ya watu katika ule umati walidhani kuwa ndiye. Basi, Aleksanda aliwaashiria watu kwa mkono akitaka kujitetea mbele ya ule umati wa watu.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice for about two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians!
Lakini walipotambua kuwa yeye ni Myahudi, wote kwa sauti moja walipiga kelele: “Mkuu ni Artemi wa Efeso!” Wakaendelea kupayukapayuka hivyo kwa muda wa saa mbili.
35 But when the Recorder had quieted the multitude, he said, Men of Ephesus, who is there among men that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
Hatimaye karani wa mji alifaulu kuwanyamazisha, akawaambia, “Wananchi wa Efeso, kila mtu anajua kwamba mji huu wa Efeso ni mlinzi wa nyumba ya mungu Artemi na mlinzi wa ile sanamu iliyoanguka kutoka mbinguni.
36 Since then these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and do nothing rashly.
Hakuna anayeweza kukana mambo haya. Hivyo basi, tulieni; msifanye chochote bila hadhari.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess.
Mmewaita watu hawa hapa ingawaje hawakuikufuru nyumba ya mungu wala kumtukana mungu wetu wa kike.
38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against any one, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring their charges against each other.
Kama, basi Demetrio na wafanyakazi wake wana mashtaka yao kuhusu watu hawa, yapo mahakama na wakuu wa mikoa; wanaweza kushtakiana huko.
39 But if ye ask for any thing further, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
Kama mna matatizo mengine, yapelekeni katika kikao halali.
40 For we are in danger of being called to answer concerning this day's riot, there being no ground on which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse.
Kwa maana tungaliweza kushtakiwa kwa kusababisha ghasia kutokana na vituko vya leo. Ghasia hii haina msingi halali na hatungeweza kutoa sababu za kuridhisha za ghasia hiyo.”
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Baada ya kusema hayo aliuvunja mkutano.
