Dɔwɔwɔwo 15
1 Le ɣeyiɣi si me Paulo kple Barnabas wonɔ Antioxia la, ame aɖewo tso Yudea va Antioxia dua me. Ame siawo va nɔ nu fiam xɔsetɔawo be ehiã vevie be woatso aʋa na wo ɖe Mose ƒe kɔnuwo nu hafi woakpɔ ɖeɖe.
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not be saved.
2 Paulo kple Barnabas melɔ̃ ɖe nya sia dzi kura o, ale wohe nya kple ame siawo vevie. Mlɔeba la, Antioxia Hame la ɖe hametɔ aɖewo kpe ɖe Paulo kple Barnabas ŋu heɖo wo ɖe Yerusalem be woaɖadzro nya sia me kple Apostoloawo kple hamemegãwo, anya woƒe susu le eŋu ava gblɔ na yewo.
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
3 Hametɔwo katã yi ɖaɖo ame dɔdɔawo ɖa va se ɖe Antioxia dua godo, eye woyi woƒe mɔzɔzɔ dzi. Le mɔa dzi la, ame dɔdɔawo tɔ ɖe Foenisia kple Samaria, du siwo le mɔa dzi la me, eye wogblɔ ale si Mawu le dɔ wɔm le ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o dome la na xɔsetɔ siwo le afi ma. Nya sia do dzidzɔ blibo na ame sia ame si see.
The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
4 Esi ame dɔdɔawo va ɖo Yerusalem la, hamea kple apostoloawo kpakple hamemegãwo xɔ wo, eye woka nu siwo katã Mawu wɔ kpli wo la ta na wo.
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
5 Ke ame siwo nye Farisitɔwo tsã hafi trɔ zu Kristotɔwo la tsi tsitre, eye wogblɔ be, “Ele be woatso aʋa na ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o, siwo trɔ zu xɔsetɔwo la katã, eye woawɔ ɖe Mose ƒe sewo dzi.”
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 Ke apostolowo kple hamemegãwo ɖe kpɔ hedzro biabia sia me nyuie.
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7 Le nyamedzodzro geɖe megbe la, Petro tsi tsitre gblɔ na wo be, “Nɔvinyewo, miawo ŋutɔ mienya be anɔ abe ƒe aɖewoe nye esi va yi ene la, Mawu tiam le mia dome, eye wòdɔm ɖa be magblɔ nyanyui la na ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o, ale be woawo hã woaxɔ se.
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: ‘You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
8 Mawu si nya amegbetɔ ɖe sia ɖe ƒe dzi me la xɔ wo hena Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la wo abe ale si wòna míawo hã ene.
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 Mede vovototo aɖeke mí kple woawo dome o, elabena eɖe woƒe nu vɔ̃wo ɖa to xɔse me abe míawo ke ene.
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 Ke nɔvinyewo, nu ka ta miedi be miate Mawu kpɔ adi be yewoatsɔ agba kpekpe si míawo ŋutɔ kple mía tɔgbuitɔgbuiwo mete ŋu tsɔ o la ada ɖe wo dzi be woatsɔ mahã?
Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11 Ao, míexɔe se to mía Aƒetɔ Yesu Kristo ƒe amenuveve me, eye esia me míekpɔ xɔxɔ abe woawo ke ene le.”
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.’
12 Le nuƒo sia megbe la, ƒuƒoƒe la zi ɖoɖoe, eye nyahehe aɖeke megayi edzi o. Esia na mɔnukpɔkpɔ Paulo kple Barnabas be wogblɔ nukunu kple dzesi gã siwo Mawu wɔ to wo dzi le ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o dome la na wo.
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
13 Esi woƒo nu vɔ la, Yakobo hã tsi tsitre ƒo nu gblɔ be, “Nɔviwo, miɖo tom.
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. ‘Friends,’ he began, ‘hear what I have to say.
14 Simɔn gblɔ ale si Mawu ŋutɔ tia amewo tso ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o dome be woasubɔ ye la na mi.
Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
15 Nyagblɔɖilawo ƒe nya sɔ kple nu siwo wogblɔ na mi abe ale si woŋlɔ ɖi ene be,
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
16 “‘Le nu siawo megbe la, magatrɔ ava, eye magatu David ƒe aƒe si mu dze anyi la. Magbugbɔ aɖo eƒe gli gbagbãwo, eye mafɔ wo ɖe tsitre,
“After this I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
17 ale be ame mamlɛawo adi Aƒetɔ la ƒe mɔ kple ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o siwo ŋu woyɔ nye ŋkɔ ɖo la. Aƒetɔ la, ame si wɔa nu siawo katã lae gblɔe.’
that so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.” (aiōn g165)
19 “Esia ta nye nyametsotsoe nye be mehiã be míaɖe fu na ame siwo menye Yudatɔwo o, eye wole tɔtrɔm ɖe Mawu ŋu la o.
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 Ke ɖeko míaŋlɔ na wo be woadzudzɔ lã siwo wotsɔ sa vɔe na trɔ̃wo kple lã siwo tsi ʋu me la ɖuɖu, eye hekpe ɖe esiawo ŋu la, woadzudzɔ ahasiwɔwɔ.
but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
21 Elabena tso blema ke la, wogblɔ Mose ƒe se la na mí le du sia du me le ƒuƒoƒewo katã le Dzudzɔgbe sia Dzudzɔgbe dzi na Yudatɔwo katã.”
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.’
22 Azɔ la, apostoloawo kple hamemegãwo katã va lɔ̃ ɖe edzi be yewoaɖe ame aɖewo woakplɔ Paulo kple Barnabas ɖo ayi Antioxia be woaɖagblɔ nu si dzi woɖo kpee la na hame si le afi ma. Wotia Yuda (si wogayɔna be Barsaba) kple Silas, ame siwo nye amegãwo le hamea me.
It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
23 Woŋlɔ agbalẽ de ame dɔdɔawo si, eye emenyawo yi ale: Mía nɔvi siwo menye Yudatɔwo o siwo trɔ zu xɔsetɔwo le Antioxia, Siria kple Kilikia, Mixɔ gbedoname tso. Apostolowo, hamemegãwo kple mia nɔvi siwo le Yerusalem la gbɔ.
They were bearers of the following letter – “The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
24 Míese be xɔsetɔ aɖewo, siwo tso mía gbɔ le afi sia la va mia dome, eye wova gblɔ nya aɖewo, siwo ɖe fu na miaƒe susu, eye woʋuʋu miaƒe xɔse kple ɖeɖekpɔkpɔ. Míedi be mianya be menye míawoe dɔ ame siawo ɖo ɖe mi o.
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
25 Ke esi míawo hã míebu nya la ŋu, eye mí katã míeɖo kpe nu si nye nyateƒea dzi vɔ la, míeɖoe be anye susu nyui aɖe ŋutɔ be míaɖe ame dɔdɔ eve siwo akplɔ mía nɔvi lɔlɔ̃awo, Paulo kple Barnabas, ɖo ava mia gbɔ.
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 Ame dɔdɔ eve siawoe nye Yuda kple Sila, ame siwo tsɔ woƒe agbe ke faa na míaƒe Aƒetɔ Yesu Kristo.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 Azɔ míedɔ Yuda kple Silas ɖa, ame siawo aƒo nu, aɖo kpe nu si nye míaƒe susu le nya siwo le fu ɖem na miaƒe susuwo la dzi na mi.
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 Míekpɔe dze sii be enyo Gbɔgbɔ Kɔkɔe la kple míawo hã ŋu be, menyo be míatsɔ agba gã aɖeke ada ɖe mia dzi wu nu vevi siawo ko o,
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
29 be miatsri trɔ̃wo ƒe vɔsawo kple ʋu kple lã tsiʋumewo ɖuɖu, eye miatsri ahasiwɔwɔ hã. Ne miekpɔ mia ɖokui dzi nyuie le nu siawo me la, ekema miewɔe nyuie. Minɔ anyi sesĩe.
That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
30 Ame dɔdɔ eneawo dze mɔ ɖo ta Antioxia enumake. Esi wova ɖo la, woƒo kristotɔwo katã nu ƒu, eye wotsɔ gbedeasi la ɖo woƒe ŋkume.
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
31 Esi woxlẽ agbalẽ la, eye wose emenyawo la, hame la katã kpɔ dzidzɔ manyagblɔ aɖe.
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 Hekpe ɖe agbalẽa ŋu la, Yuda kple Silas, ame siwo hã nye nyagblɔɖilawo la gaƒo nu geɖe na hame la hedo ŋusẽ woƒe xɔse.
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 Wonɔ Antioxia ŋkeke geɖe hafi wodo mɔ wo kple dzidzɔgbedoname tso Antioxia Hame gbɔ vɛ na Yerusalem hame si dɔ wo. [
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
34 Ke enyo Sila ŋu be yeatsi afi ma.]
35 Paulo kple Barnabas hã gatsi Antioxia hena kpekpe ɖe ame siwo nɔ Aƒetɔ la ƒe nya gblɔm henɔ nu fiam amewo le afi ma la ŋu.
Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
36 Le ŋkeke aɖewo megbe la, Paulo doe ɖe Barnabas gbɔ be, “Na míatrɔ ayi aɖakpɔ nɔvi siwo le du siwo me míegblɔ Aƒetɔ la ƒe nya la le la, akpɔ ale si wole zɔzɔmee la ɖa.”
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.’
37 Barnabas lɔ̃, ke edi be yewoakplɔ Yohanes si woyɔna be Marko la akpe ɖe yewo ɖokui ŋu.
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 Ke le ale si Marko gblẽ wo ɖi le Pamfilia, eye meyi dɔa dzi kple wo o ta la, Paulo mebui be enyo be wòagayi kpli yewo o.
but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
39 Nu sia he masɔmasɔ de Paul kple Barnabas dome ale gbegbe be wo dome ma. Barnabas kplɔ Marko ɖe asi, eye woɖo tɔdziʋu yi Kipro.
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 Ke Paulo hã kplɔ Silas kpe ɖe eɖokui ŋu, eye nɔviawo tsɔ wo de asi na Aƒetɔ la ƒe amenuveve.
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 Woto Siria kple Kilikia nutowo me henɔ ŋusẽ dom hame siwo le afi mawo.
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
