Imisebenzi 6
1 Kwathi ngalezonsuku, abafundi sebandile, kwavela ukusola kwamaHelenisiti ngamaHebheru, ngoba abafelokazi babo babengananzwa ekwabelweni kwensuku ngensuku.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
2 Abalitshumi lambili basebebizela kubo ixuku labafundi, bathi: Kakulunganga ukuthi thina sitshiye ilizwi likaNkulunkulu, sisebenze ematafuleni.
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
3 Ngakho, bazalwane, khangelani phakathi kwenu amadoda ayisikhombisa alobufakazi obuhle, agcwele uMoya oNgcwele lenhlakanipho, esingawamisa phezu kwale inswelo.
Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 Kodwa thina sizaphikelela emkhulekweni lemsebenzini welizwi.
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
5 Lalelilizwi lalithokozisa lonke ixuku; basebekhetha uStefane, indoda egcwele ukholo loMoya oNgcwele, loFiliphu, loProkoro, loNikanori, loTimoni, loParmena, loNikola owaphendukela kumaJuda evela eAntiyoki,
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
6 ababamisa phambi kwabaphostoli; sebekhulekile babeka izandla phezu kwabo.
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 Lelizwi likaNkulunkulu landa, lenani labafundi lakhula kakhulu sibili eJerusalema, lexuku elikhulu labapristi lalalela ukholo.
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 Kwathi uStefane egcwele ukholo lamandla wenza izimangaliso lezibonakaliso ezinkulu phakathi kwabantu.
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.
9 Kwasekusukuma abanye abesinagoge elithiwa ngelabaKhululwa, labeKurene labeAleksandriya, lakulabo abavela eKilikhiya leAsiya, baphikisana loStefane.
But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 Kodwa babengelamandla okumelana lenhlakanipho loMoya ayekhuluma ngawo.
They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Basebefumbathisa amadoda athi: Simzwile ekhuluma amazwi ayinhlamba amelana loMozisi loNkulunkulu.
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12 Basebevusa abantu labadala lababhali, basebemfikela bambamba, bamletha emphakathini,
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,
13 basebemisa abafakazi bamanga abathi: Lumuntu kayekeli ukukhuluma amazwi ayinhlamba amelene lalindawo engcwele langomlayo;
and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
14 ngoba simzwile esithi, uJesu lo weNazaretha uzadiliza lindawo, aphendule lemikhuba uMozisi asinika yona.
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15 Bonke ababehlezi emphakathini basebemjolozela, babona ubuso bakhe bungathi yibuso bengilosi.
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
