Acts 22
1 Brethren and fathers! Hear ye, the defence, which I now make unto you: —
“Ndugu na baba zangu, sikilizeni utetezi wangu nitakaofanya kwenu sasa.”
2 And, when they heard that, in the Hebrew language, he had begun to address them, they kept the more quiet. And he saith—
Makutano walipo sikia Paulo akiongea nao kwa kiebrania, wakanyamaza. Akasema,
3 I, am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but nurtured in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, —trained after the strictness of our ancestral law; being jealous for God just as, all ye, are this day;
“Mimi ni myahudi, nimezaliwa mji wa Tarso eneo la Kilikia, ila nilipata elimu katika mji huu, miguuni pa Gamalieli. Nilifundishwa kulingana na njia sahihi za sheria za baba zetu. Mimi ninabidii ya Mungu, kama ninyi nyote mlivyo leo.
4 and, this way, I persecuted unto the death, binding and delivering up into prisons both men and women: —
Niliwatesa kwa njia hii hadi kufa; nikawafunga wanaume na wanawake na kuwatupa gerezani.
5 as, even the High-priest, beareth me witness, and all the Eldership, —from whom, letters also, accepting to the brethren, unto Damascus, was I journeying, to bring them who were there bound unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished.
Hata kuhani mkuu na wazee wote wanaweza kutoa ushahidi kwamba nilipokea barua kutoka kwao kwa ajili ya ndugu walio Dameski, kwangu mimi kusafiri kwenda huko. Ilikuwa niwalete watu Yerusalemu wa njia ile ili wafungwe na kuadhibiwa.
6 But it befell me, as I was journeying and drawing nigh unto Damascus, that, about mid-day—suddenly—out of heaven, there flashed a great light all around me;
Ilitokea kwamba pale nilipokua nikisafiri nakaribia Dameski, majira ya mchana ghafla nuru kuu ikatokea mbinguni ikaanza kuniangaza.
7 I fell also to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me—Saul! Saul! Why, me, art thou persecuting?
Nikaanguka chini na kusikia sauti ikiniambia, 'Sauli, Sauli kwanini unaniudhi?'
8 And, I, answered—Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me—I, am Jesus the Nazarene, whom, thou, art persecuting!
Nikajibu, 'wewe ni nani, Bwana?' Akaniambia, 'Mini ni Yesu Mnazareti, ambaye wewe unaniudhi.'
9 Now, they who were with me, beheld, indeed, the light, but heard not, the voice, of him that was speaking with me
Wale waliokuwa na mimi waliiona nuru, ila hawakusikia sauti ya yule alie ongea na mimi.
10 And said—What shall I do, Lord? And, the Lord, said unto me—Arise, and be going thy way into Damascus, and, there, shall it be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
Nikasema, 'Nifanye nini, Bwana?' Bwana akaniambia, 'Simama na uingie Dameski; huko utaambiwa kila kitu unachopaswa kufanya.'
11 But, as I could not see clearly owing to the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them who were with me, I came into Damascus.
Sikuweza kuona kwa sababu ya muangaza wa nuru ile, ndipo nikaenda Dameski kwa kuongozwa na mikono ya wale waliokuwa na mimi.
12 And, one Ananias, a man devout according to the law, well-attested by all the Jews that dwelt there,
Huko nikakutana na mtu aitwaye Anania, alikuwa mtu aliyeshika sheria na mwenye kuheshimika mbele ya Wayahudi wote walioishi huko.
13 coming unto me, and standing over me, said—Saul, brother! look up. And, I, in that very hour, looked up on him.
Akaja kwangu, akasimama mbele yangu, na kusema, 'Ndugu yangu Sauli, upate kuona.'Kwa muda ule ule nikamuona.
14 And he said—The God of our fathers, hath chosen thee to get to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, —and to hear a voice out of his mouth.
Akasema, 'Mungu wa baba zetu amekuchagua wewe upate kujua mapenzi yake, kumuona yule mwenyehaki, na kusikia sauti itokayo kwenye kinywa chake.
15 Because thou shalt be a witness to him unto all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard.
Kwa sababu utakuwa shahidi kwake kwa watu wote juu ya uliyoyaona na kusikia.
16 And, now, what art thou going to do? Arise, and get thyself immersed, and have thy sins bathed away, calling upon his name.
Basi sasa kwa nini unasubiri? Amka, ubatizwe, ukaoshe dhambi zako, ukiliita jina lake.'
17 And it came to pass, when had returned unto Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance,
Baada ya kurejea Yerusalemu, na nilipokuwa nikisali ndani ya hekalu, ikatokea kwamba nikapewa maono.
18 and saw him, saying unto me—Haste thee, and go forth speedily out of Jerusalem, inasmuch as they will not accept thy witness concerning me.
Nikamuona akiniambia, 'Hima na utoke Yerusalemu haraka, kwa sababu hawatakubali ushuhuda wako kuhusu mimi.'
19 And, I, said—Lord! they themselves, well know that I was imprisoning and beating in every synagogue them who were believing on thee.
Nikasema, 'Bwana, wao wenyewe wanajua niliwafunga gerezani na kuwapiga wale waliokuamini katika kila sinagogi.
20 And, when the blood of Stephen thy witness was being shed, even I myself, was standing by, and approving, and guarding the mantles of them who were slaying him.
Na damu ya Stefano shahidi wako ilipomwagwa, Mimi pia nilikuwa nimesimama karibu na kukubali na nilikuwa nalinda nguo za wale waliomwua.'
21 And he said unto me—Be taking thy journey; because, I, unto nations afar off, will send thee.
Lakini aliniambia, 'Enenda, kwa sababu mimi nitakutuma uende mbali kwa watu wa mataifa.”'
22 And they hearkened unto him as far as this word, and lifted up their voice, saying—Away from the earth, with such a man as this, for it is not fit that he should live.
Watu wakamruhusu aongee juu ya neno hili. Lakini baadaye walipaza sauti na kusema, “mwondoe mtu huyu katika nchi: kwa sababu sio sahihi aishi.”
23 Now, as they were both making an outcry and tearing their mantles, —dust, also were throwing into the air,
Walipokuwa wakipaza sauti, na kutupa mavazi yao na kutupa mavumbi juu,
24 the captain ordered him to be brought into the castle, saying, that, with scourging, he should be put to the test, —that he might find out, for what cause they were, thus, clamouring against him.
jemedari mkuu akaamuru Paulo aletwe ngomeni. Akaamuru aulizwe huku anapigwa mijeledi, ili yeye mwenyewe ajue kwa nini walikuwa wanampigia kelele namna ile.
25 But, when they had stretched him out with straps, Paul said unto the by-standing centurion—A Roman, and uncondemned, is it allowed you to be scourging?
Hata walipokuwa wamemfunga kwa kamba, Paulo akamwambia yule akida aliye simama karibu naye, “Je! ni haki kwenu kumpiga mtu aliye Mrumi na bado hajahukumiwa?”
26 And, when the centurion heard [that], he went unto the captain, and reported, saying—What art thou going to do? For, this man, is, a Roman?
Yule akida aliposikia maneno haya, akaenda kwa jemedari mkuu na kumwambia, akisema, “Unataka kufanya nini? Kwa maana mtu huyu ni mrumi.”
27 And the captain, coming up, said to him—Tell me! Art, thou, a, Roman? And, he, said—Yea!
Jemedari mkuu akaja na kumwambia, “Niambie, je wewe ni raia wa Rumi?” Paulo akasema, “Ndiyo.”
28 And the captain answered—I, for a large sum, this citizenship acquired! And, Paul, said—But, I, am even, [free-] born!
Jemedari akamjibu, “Ni kupitia kiasi kikubwa cha pesa ndipo nilipata uraia.” Lakini Paulo akamwambia, “Mimi ni mrumi wa kuzaliwa.”
29 Straightway, therefore, they who were about to put him to the test, withdrew from him; and, even the captain, was struck with fear, when he found out he was, a Roman, and because, him, he had bound.
Basi wale waliokuwa tayari kwenda kumuuliza wakaondoka na kumwacha wakati huo huo. Na jemedari naye akaogopa, alipojua kuwa Paulo ni Mrumi, na kwa sababu amemfunga.
30 But, on the morrow, being minded to get to know the certainty as to why he was being accused by the Jews, he released him, and ordered the High-priests and all the High-council to come together; and, bringing down Paul, set him before them.
Siku iliyofuatayo, jemedari mkuu alitaka kujua ukweli kuhusu mashtaka ya Wayahudi dhidi ya Paulo. Hivyo akamfungua vifungo vyake akaamuru wakuu wa makuhani na baraza lote wakutane. Akamleta Paulo chini, na kumweka katikati yao.
