Incito 7
1 Lino, Mukulene wa Beshimilumbo walamwipusha Stefano, “Sena bintu ibi ni byakubinga?”
Then the High Priest asked him, "Are these statements true?"
2 Nendi walakumbuleti, “Kamunyumfwani bamatata ne mobanse bame! Lesa wabulemu walabonekela kuli mushali wetu mukulukulu Abulahamu mpwalikwikala ku Mesopotamiya, katanalongela ku Halani.
The reply of Stephen was, "Sirs--brethren and fathers--listen to me. God Most Glorious appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was living in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran,
3 Walamwambileti, ‘Fuma mucishi cakobe, ushiye banse bobe, wenga kucishi nceti ndikuleshe.’
and said to him, "'Leave your country and your relatives, and go into whatever land I point out to you.'
4 Walafuma mucishi ca Akaladayo nekuya kwikala ku Halani. Baishi mpobalafwa, Lesa walamufunyako ne kumuleta mucishi cino ncomwekalamo lelo.
"Thereupon he left Chaldaea and settled in Haran till after the death of his father, when God caused him to remove into this country where you now live.
5 Lesa uliya kumupako nakaba kabela kang'ana kacishici kuba kakendi mwine. Nsombi walamulayeti, cishi conseci nicikabe cakendi ne bashikulu bendi, nikukabeti nkalikukute mwana pacindico.
But he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not a single square yard of ground. And yet He promised to bestow the land as a permanent possession on him and his posterity after him--and promised this at a time when Abraham was childless.
6 Lesa walamwambileti, ‘Bashikulu bobe nibakabe basha mucishi cabwensu moti bakapenshewe kwa byaka myanda ina.’
And God declared that Abraham's posterity should for four hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be reduced to slavery and be oppressed.
7 Kayi Lesa walambeti, ‘Ame ninkape mulandu mushobo uyo weti ukabasunge busha. Balo nibakapule mucishico ne kwisa kunkambilila pamusena uno.’
"'And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said God; 'and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this place.'
8 Lesa walapangana ne Abulahamu, ne kumupa cingashilo ico ecando cakupalulwa. Neco Abulahamu walamupalula Isake mwanendi, kakute masuba asanu ne atatu akusemwa. Neye Isake walapalula Yakobo mwanendi, neye Yakobo walapalula banabendi bali likumi ne babili, abo ebamashali betu bakulukulu.
"Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this Covenant he became the father of Isaac--whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve Patriarchs.
9 Abo bamashali betu balamunyonokela Yosefe mukwabo, balamulisha busha ku Injipito. Nsombi Lesa walikuba nendi,
"The Patriarchs were jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But God was with him
10 cakwinseti, walamupulusha mu mapensho akendi onse. Walamupa mano alenshisha kwambeti, Mwami Falawo waku Injipito amuyande, kayi walamubika Yosefe kuba muntu shikwendelesha cishi ca Injipito, kayi mukulene shikulangilila pamukowa wakendi Falawo wonse.
and delivered him from all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him governor over Egypt and all the royal household.
11 Nomba mwalaba nsala mucishi conse ca Injipito ne Kenani, bantu balapenga, ne bamashali betu kumo balabula cakulya.
But there came a famine throughout the whole of Egypt and Canaan--and great distress--so that our forefathers could find no food.
12 Yakobo mpwalanyumfweti ku Injipito kuli cakulya, walatumako banabendi bamashali betu. Ubu bwalikuba bulwendo bwabo bwakutanguna.
When, however, Jacob heard that there was wheat to be had, he sent our forefathers into Egypt; that was the first time.
13 Pabulwendo bwabo bwacibili, Yosefe walaliyubulula kubakwabo, kayi walamwinshibisha Mwami Falawo shabanse bendi bonse.
On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Pharaoh was informed of Joseph's parentage.
14 Yosefe walabakuwa baishi ba Yakobo, pamo ne banse bendi. Bonse pamo balikuba bantu makumi asanu ne abili ne basanu.
Then Joseph sent and invited his father Jacob and all his family, numbering seventy-five persons, to come to him,
15 Yakobo walaya kwikala ku Injipito pamo ne bamashali betu basa. Bonse balafwila kopeloko.
and Jacob went down into Egypt. There he died, and so did our forefathers,
16 Bitumbi byabo byalakabikwa ku Sekemu, kunamaumbwe awo Abulahamu ngwalaula ne mali kubana bendi Hamoli ku Sekemu.
and they were taken to Shechem and were laid in the tomb which Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a sum of money paid in silver.
17 “Cindi mpocalashika pepi kwambeti Lesa akwanilishe cipangano ncalambila Abulahamu, mushobo wetu wali kauli ulafulu mu Injipito.
"But as the time drew near for the fulfilment of the promise which God had made to Abraham, the people became many times more numerous in Egypt,
18 Panyuma pakendi kwalapyana Mwami naumbi mu Injipito walikubula kumwinshiba Yosefe.
until there arose a foreign king over Egypt who knew nothing of Joseph.
19 Mwami uyo walaupita panshi mushobo wetu, walatatika kupensha bamashali betu, pakubakakatisheti bashiyenga bana babo pansa kwambeti bafwe.
He adopted a crafty policy towards our race, and oppressed our forefathers, making them cast out their infants so that they might not be permitted to live.
20 Pacindico Mose walasemwa, walikuba mwana wapa. Walalelwa ne kwa myenshi itatu mung'anda ya baishi.
At this time Moses was born--a wonderfully beautiful child; and for three months he was cared for in his father's house.
21 Mpobalamushiya pansa mwanendi Falawo mutukashi walamumanta, walikumuleleti mwanendi.
At length he was cast out, but Pharaoh's daughter adopted him, and brought him up as her own son.
22 Neco Mose walaiya mano a bantu bonse baku Injipito, mano ne ncito shakendi shalikuba shangofu.”
So Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and possessed great influence through his eloquence and his achievements.
23 “Mose mpwalaba ne byaka makumi ana, walayeya kuya kufwakashila banse bendi bene Islayeli.”
"And when he was just forty years old, it occurred to him to visit his brethren the descendants of Israel.
24 Lino mpwalabona mwine Injipito kapensha umo wabanse bendi, Mose walamufuna mwine Islayeli ne kumushina mwine Injipito.
Seeing one of them wrongfully treated he took his part, and secured justice for the ill-treated man by striking down the Egyptian.
25 Walikuyeyeti banse bendi bene Islayeli nibenshibe kwambeti Lesa, kufumina muli Mose nakabapulushe, nsombi balo baliya kwingashileco.
He supposed his brethren to be aware that by him God was sending them deliverance; this, however, they did not understand.
26 Mpobwalaca mumene walacana bene Islayeli babili kabalwana. Walelekesha kubafuna. Walabambileti, “Amwe batuloba, moba mukowa umo, inga mulalwanininga cani?”
The next day, also, he came and found two of them fighting, and he endeavoured to make peace between them. "'Sirs,' he said, 'you are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?'
27 Nomba uyo walasoka munendi, walanyakila Mose pambali ne kwambeti, “Niyani walakubiketi ube mutangunishi shikutombolosha?
"But the man who was doing the wrong resented his interference, and asked, "'Who appointed you magistrate and judge over us?
28 Sena ulayandanga kunshina mbuli ncowashina mwine Injipito usa lilo?”
Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'
29 Mpwalanyumfweco, Mose walafwambila kucishi censu ca Midyani. Kopeloko nkwalasemena bana batuloba babili.
"Alarmed at this question, Moses fled from the country and went to live in the land of Midian. There he became the father of two sons.
30 “Lino mpokwalapita byaka makumi ana, mungelo walabonekela kuli Mose mucinyika pepi ne mulundu wa Sinai, pacinkupu cisa calikubangila mulilo mucinyika.
"But at the end of forty years there appeared to him in the Desert of Mount Sinai an angel in the middle of a flame of fire in a bush.
31 Mose mpwalaboneci walakankamana, walaseng'ena pepi kwambeti abonesheshe.” Popelapo walanyumfwa liswi lya Lesa lyakwambeti,
When Moses saw this he wondered at the sight; but on his going up to look further, the voice of the Lord was heard, saying,
32 “Ame njame Lesa wabamashali bakobe, Lesa wa Abulahamu ne Isake ne Yakobo.” Popelapo Mose walatatika kututuma ne kutina cakwinseti calala kulangako.
"'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze.
33 Popelapo Lesa walamwambileti, “Kofulula nkwabilo shakobe, pakwinga pamusena apo mpowalyata Paswepa.
"'Take off your shoes,' said the Lord, 'for the spot on which you are standing is holy ground.
34 Ndabono kupenshewa kwabantu bakame mu Injipito. Ndanyumfu kulilishanya kwabo, lino ndesa kubapulusha, lino kwesa ndikutume ku Injipito.”
I have seen, yes, I have seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them. And now I will send you to Egypt.'
35 Uyo Mose engobalakana Baislayeli pakumwipusheti, “Niyani walakubiketi ube mukulene kayi momboloshi wetu?” Epeloyo engwalatuma Lesa kwambeti abe mukulene kayi mupulushi, kufumina mumungelo usa walamubonekela pacinkupu cisa calikubilima mulilo.
"The Moses whom they rejected, asking him, 'Who appointed you magistrate and judge?' --that same Moses we find God sending as a magistrate and a deliverer by the help of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
36 Mose ewalabatangunina bantu ne kubapulisha mucishi ca Injipito, walikwinsa bishikukankamanisha, ne bingashilo ku Injipito, palwenje lufubela ne mucinyika, kwabyaka makumi ana.
This was he who brought them out, after performing marvels and signs in Egypt and at the Red Sea, and in the Desert for forty years.
37 Mose uyo ewalabambila Baislayeli kwambeti, “Lesa nakatume naumbi kufumina mubanse benu eshakabe mushinshimi eti njame.”
This is the Moses who said to the descendants of Israel, "'God will raise up a Prophet for you, from among your brethren, just as He raised me up.'
38 Mose ewalikuba nabo pamubungano wa Baislayeli mucinyika. Nendi ewalemana pamo ne mungelo walikwamba pakati pa bamashali betu bakulukulu pamulundu wa Sinai. Ewalatambula maswi abuyumi akutwambila.
'This is he who was among the Congregation in the Desert, together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our forefathers, who received ever-living utterances to hand on to us.
39 “Bamashali betu bakulukulu balakana kumunyumfwila, pakwinga myoyo yabo yalikuyeya ku Injipito.
"Our forefathers, however, would not submit to him, but spurned his authority and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
40 Neco, Aloni balamwambileti, ‘Kotupangila Lesa eshatutanguninenga, pakwinga nkatucishi cilenshiki kuli Mose, walatufunya ku Injipito.’
They said to Aaron, "'Make gods for us, to march in front of us; for as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'
41 Mumasuba opelawo balabumba cimbwanga ca mwanawang'ombe. Balatwala milumbo kucimbwanga ne kukondwa ne ncito yalabamba makasa abo.”
"Moreover they made a calf at that time, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and kept rejoicing in the gods which their own hands had made.
42 Neco Lesa walabafutatila, ne kubaleketi bakambililenga nyenyenshi shakwilu, mbuli ncocalembwa mu mabuku abashinshimi bakulukulu akwambeti, “Amwe Baislayeli, kamutayeyangeti Mwalikubengela ame nyama nshomwali kushina ne kutwala milumbo, kwabyaka makumi ana musa mucinyika.
So God turned from them and gave them up to the worship of the Host of Heaven, as it is written in the Book of the Prophets, "'Were they victims and sacrifices which you offered Me, forty years in the Desert, O House of Israel?
43 Mwalikunyamuna lesa wenu Moleki mutente, Ne nyenyenshi ya lesa wenu Lefani, bimbwanga mbyomwalabumba Kwambeti mubikambililenga. Pacebo ico ninkamutandanyine kutali, kupitilila cishi ca Babulo.”
Yes, you lifted up Moloch's tent and the Star of the God Rephan--the images which you made in order to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.'
44 “Bamashali betu bakulukulu balikukute tente wa cipangano walikulesheti Lesa mpwali pakati pabo musa mucinyika. Walapangwa mbuli Lesa ncalamwambila Mose mucikoshanyo ncalabona.
"Our forefathers had the Tent of the Testimony in the Desert, built as He who spoke to Moses had instructed him to make it in imitation of the model which he had seen.
45 Uyo tente walapewa ku bamashali betu kufuma ku ba mashali babo, tente iyo yalikuba ya cishiya matongo. Yalikubapo cindi Yoswa mpwalikubatangunina, pakulamuna cishi mishobo njalatandanya Lesa. Tente iyo yalekala mpaka mucindi ca Dafeti.
That Tent was bequeathed to the next generation of our forefathers. Under Joshua they brought it with them when they were taking possession of the land of the Gentile nations, whom God drove out before them. So it continued till David's time.
46 Lesa walikumusuna Dafeti, nendi Dafeti walasenga kwambeti amwibakile ng'anda, Lesa wa Yakobo.
David obtained favour with God, and asked leave to provide a dwelling-place for the God of Jacob.
47 Nomba Solomoni ewalebaka ng'andeyo.
But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.
48 Nikukabeco Lesa wapita byonse, nkakute kwikala mung'anda yebakwa ne makasa, mbuli ncalamba mushinshimi mukulukulu.” Kwambeti,
Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men's hands. But, as the Prophet declares,
49 “Lesa lambangeti, Kwilu ecipuna cakame ca Bwami, cishi capanshi epakulyata myendo yakame. Ngamunjibakila ng'anda ilyeconi? Nambi nimusena ulyeconi ngondelela kupumwininamo?
"'The sky is My throne, and earth is the footstool for My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what resting place shall I have?
50 Sena ntame ndalapanga bintu byonsebi?”
Did not My hand form this universe.'
51 Stefano walapitilisha kwambeti, “Ha! Amwe bantu balunkanwa, myoyo yenu ilyeti bantu batashomo Lesa, kayi matwi enu ashinka. Mwakoshanowa ne bamashali benu bakulukulu, pakwinga nenjamwe mulakananga kunyumfwila Mushimu Uswepa.”
"O stiff-necked men, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you also are continually at strife with the Holy Spirit--just as your forefathers were.
52 “Sena pali mushinshimi ngobalabula kupensha bamashali benu bakulukulu? Paliyawa, balo balikushina bantu balikwamba shakwisa kwa Musebenshi Waswepa usa. Nsombi amwe mwalamulisha kubalwani bakendi ne kumushina.
Which of the Prophets did not your forefathers persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced beforehand the advent of the righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become--
53 Amwe omwalatambula Milawo ya Lesa njobalikuleta bangelo pacishi capanshi, nsombi amwe muliya kwikonkela sobwe.”
you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not obeyed it."
54 Neco Bomboloshi bankuta inene mpobalanyumfwa maswi onse ngalamba Stefano, balatatika kubimba myoyo cebo cabukalu.
As they listened to these words, they became infuriated and gnashed their teeth at him.
55 Stefano walesulilwa ne Mushimu Uswepa, walalanga kwilu, walabona bulemeneno bwakendi Lesa, kayi walabona Yesu kali wemana kucikasa cakululyo ca Lesa.
But, full of the Holy Spirit and looking up to Heaven, Stephen saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand.
56 Popelapo walambeti, “kamubonani! Ndabono kwilu kulacaluku, kayi ndabononga Mwana Muntu wemana kucikasa cakululyo ca Lesa.”
"I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."
57 Popelapo bendeleshi bankuta inene balashinka mumatwi ne kolobesha! Pacindico bonse balafwambila akumutanya Stefano.
Upon this, with a loud outcry they stopped their ears, rushed upon Stephen in a body,
58 Balamukwekweshela kunsa kwamunshi, nkobalakamupwaya mabwe. Bakamboni balafulula minjila yabo yakunsa ne kwibungika pa myendo ya mutuloba musepela, lina lyakendi Saulo.
dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of a young man called Saul.
59 Mpobalikumupwaya mabwe, Stefano walatatika kupaileti, “Yesu Mwami wakame, tambulani mushimu wakame.”
So they stoned Stephen, while he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Walasuntama panshi ne kubilikisheti, “Nkambo kamubalekelelako bwipishi ubu mbobalenshinga.” Mpwalapwisha kwamba awa maswi walataya moyo.
Then, rising on his knees, he cried aloud, "Lord, do not reckon this sin against them." And with these words he fell asleep.
