Matendo 13
1 Katika kanisa huko Antiokia ya Shamu walikuwako manabii na walimu, yaani: Barnaba, Simeoni aitwaye Nigeri, Lukio Mkirene, Manaeni aliyekuwa amelelewa pamoja na Mfalme Herode Agripa, na Sauli.
Among the members of the church at Antioch there were several prophets and teachers – Barnabas, Simeon who was known by the name of ‘Black’, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, foster-brother of Prince Herod, and Saul.
2 Walipokuwa wakimwabudu Bwana na kufunga, Roho Mtakatifu akasema, “Nitengeeni Sauli na Barnaba kwa kazi ile maalum niliyowaitia.”
While they were engaged in the worship of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Ndipo baada ya kufunga na kuomba, wakawawekea mikono yao na wakawatuma waende zao.
Accordingly, after fasting and prayer, they placed their hands on them and dismissed them.
4 Hivyo, wakiwa wametumwa na Roho Mtakatifu, wakashuka kwenda Seleukia na kutoka huko wakasafiri baharini mpaka kisiwa cha Kipro.
Barnabas and Saul, sent on this mission, as they were, by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to Cyprus.
5 Walipowasili katika mji wa Salami, wakahubiri neno la Mungu katika sinagogi la Wayahudi. Pia walikuwa na Yohana Marko kuwa msaidizi wao.
On reaching Salamis, they began to tell the message of God in the Jewish synagogues; and they had John with them as an assistant.
6 Walipokwisha kupita katika nchi zote hizo wakafika Pafo, ambapo walikutana na Myahudi mmoja mchawi aliyekuwa nabii wa uongo, jina lake Bar-Yesu.
After passing through the whole island, they reached Paphos, where they found an astrologer who pretended to be a prophet – a Jew by birth, whose name was Barjoshua.
7 Mtu huyu alikuwa pamoja na Sergio Paulo, mtu mwenye hekima aliyekuwa msaidizi wa mwakilishi wa mtawala wa kile kisiwa. Sergio Paulo akawaita Sauli na Barnaba akitaka kusikia neno la Mungu.
He was at the court of the Governor, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who sent for Barnabas and Saul and asked to be told God’s message.
8 Lakini Elima yule mchawi (hii ndiyo maana ya jina lake), aliwapinga Barnaba na Sauli na kujaribu kumpotosha yule mkuu wa kile kisiwa aiache imani.
But Elymas, the astrologer (for that is the meaning of the word), opposed them, eager to divert the Governor’s attention from the faith.
9 Ndipo Sauli, ambaye pia aliitwa Paulo, akiwa amejawa na Roho Mtakatifu, akamkazia macho Elima huyo mchawi,
However, Saul (who is the same as Paul), full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him and said,
10 akamwambia, “Ewe mwana wa ibilisi, wewe ni adui wa kila kilicho haki! Umejaa kila aina ya udanganyifu na ulaghai. Je, hutaacha kuzipotosha njia za Bwana zilizonyooka?
“You incarnation of deceit and all fraud! You son of the devil! You opponent of all that is good! Will you never cease to divert the straight paths of the Lord? Listen!
11 Nawe sasa sikiliza, mkono wa Bwana u dhidi yako. Utakuwa kipofu, wala hutaona jua kwa muda.” Mara ukungu na giza vikamfunika, naye akaenda huku na huko akitafuta mtu wa kumshika mkono ili amwonyeshe njia.
The hand of the Lord is on you even now, and you will be blind for a time and unable to see the sun.” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went feeling about for someone to guide him.
12 Yule mkuu wa kile kisiwa alipoona yaliyotukia, akaamini kwa sababu alistaajabishwa na mafundisho kuhusu Bwana.
When the Governor saw what had happened, he became a believer in Christ, being greatly impressed by the teaching about the Lord.
13 Kisha Paulo na wenzake wakasafiri toka Pafo wakafika Perga huko Pamfilia. Lakini, Yohana Marko akawaacha huko, akarejea Yerusalemu.
After this, Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and went to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
14 Kutoka Perga wakaendelea hadi Antiokia ya Pisidia. Siku ya Sabato wakaingia ndani ya sinagogi, wakaketi.
The others went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. There they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and took their seats.
15 Baada ya Sheria ya Mose na Kitabu cha Manabii kusomwa, viongozi wa sinagogi wakawatumia ujumbe wakisema, “Ndugu, kama mna neno la kuwafariji watu hawa, tafadhali lisemeni.”
After the reading of the Law and the prophets, the synagogue leader sent them this message – “Friends, if you have any helpful words to address to the people, now is the time to speak.”
16 Paulo akasimama, akawapungia mkono na kusema: “Enyi wanaume wa Israeli na ninyi nyote mnaomcha Mungu.
So Paul rose and, motioning with his hand, said: “People of Israel and all here who worship God, hear what I have to say.
17 Mungu wa watu hawa wa Israeli aliwachagua baba zetu, akawafanya kustawi walipokuwa huko Misri, kwa uwezo mwingi akawaongoza na kuwatoa katika nchi ile.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, and during their stay in Egypt increased the prosperity of the people, and then with uplifted arm brought them out from that land.
18 Kwa muda wa miaka arobaini alivumilia matendo yao walipokuwa jangwani.
For about forty years he bore with them in the desert;
19 Naye baada ya kuyaangamiza mataifa saba waliokuwa wakiishi katika nchi ya Kanaani, akawapa Waisraeli nchi yao iwe urithi wao.
then, after destroying seven heathen nations in Canaan, he allotted their land to this people –
20 Haya yote yalichukua kama muda wa miaka 450. “Baada ya haya, Mungu akawapa waamuzi mpaka wakati wa nabii Samweli.
For about four hundred and fifty years. In later times he gave them Judges, of whom the prophet Samuel was the last.
21 Ndipo watu wakaomba wapewe mfalme, naye Mungu akawapa Sauli mwana wa Kishi wa kabila la Benyamini, aliyetawala kwa miaka arobaini.
And, when they demanded a king, God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.
22 Baada ya kumwondoa Sauli katika ufalme, akawainulia Daudi kuwa mfalme wao. Mungu pia alimshuhudia, akisema, ‘Nimemwona Daudi mwana wa Yese, mtu anayeupendeza moyo wangu, atakayetimiza mapenzi yangu yote.’
After removing him, he raised David to the throne, and bore this testimony to him – ‘In David, the son of Jesse, I have found a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my purposes.’
23 “Kutoka uzao wa mtu huyu, Mungu amewaletea Israeli Mwokozi Yesu, kama alivyoahidi.
It was from this man’s descendants that God, in accordance with his promise, gave Israel a Savior – Jesus;
24 Kabla ya kuja kwa Yesu, Yohana alihubiri toba na ubatizo kwa watu wote wa Israeli.
John having first proclaimed, before the appearance of Jesus, a baptism on repentance for all the people of Israel.
25 Yohana alipokuwa anakamilisha kazi yake, alisema: ‘Ninyi mnadhani mimi ni nani? Mimi si yeye. La hasha, lakini yeye yuaja baada yangu, ambaye mimi sistahili kufungua kamba za viatu vya miguu yake.’
As John was drawing towards the end of his career, he said ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not the Christ. But there is “one coming” after me, whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Ndugu zangu, wana wa Abrahamu, nanyi watu wa Mataifa mnaomcha Mungu, ujumbe huu wa wokovu umeletwa kwetu.
Brothers and sisters, descendants of Abraham, and all those among you who worship God, it was to us that the message of this salvation was sent.
27 Kwa sababu wakaao Yerusalemu na viongozi wao hawakumtambua wala kuelewa maneno ya manabii yasomwayo kila Sabato, bali waliyatimiza maneno hayo kwa kumhukumu yeye.
The people of Jerusalem and their leaders, failing to recognize Jesus, and not understanding the utterances of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28 Ijapokuwa hawakupata sababu yoyote ya kumhukumu kifo, walimwomba Pilato aamuru auawe.
They found no ground at all for putting him to death, and yet demanded his execution from Pilate;
29 Walipokwisha kufanya yale yote yaliyoandikwa kumhusu, walimshusha kutoka msalabani na kumzika kaburini.
and, after carrying out everything written about him, they took Jesus down from the cross, and laid him in a tomb.
30 Lakini Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu.
But God raised him from the dead;
31 Naye kwa siku nyingi akawatokea wale waliokuwa pamoja naye kuanzia Galilaya hadi Yerusalemu. Nao sasa wamekuwa mashahidi wake kwa watu wetu.
and he appeared for many days to those who had gone up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now witnesses for him to the people.
32 “Nasi tunawaletea habari njema, kwamba yale Mungu aliyowaahidi baba zetu
We also have good news to tell you, about the promise made to our ancestors –
33 sasa ameyatimiza kwetu sisi watoto wao, kwa kumfufua Yesu, kama ilivyoandikwa katika Zaburi ya pili: “‘Wewe ni Mwanangu; leo mimi nimekuzaa.’
That our children have had this promise completely fulfilled to them by God, by his raising Jesus. That is just what is said in the second Psalm – ‘You are my Son; this day I have become your Father.’
34 Kwa kuwa Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu asioze kamwe, alitamka maneno haya: “‘Nitakupa wewe baraka takatifu zilizo za hakika nilizomwahidi Daudi.’
As to his raising Jesus from the dead, never again to return to corruption, this is what is said – ‘I will give to you the sacred promises made to David;’
35 Kama ilivyosemwa mahali pengine katika Zaburi, “‘Hutamwacha Aliye Mtakatifu wako kuona uharibifu.’
And, therefore, in another Psalm it is said – ‘You will not give up the Holy One to undergo corruption.’
36 “Kwa maana Daudi akiisha kulitumikia kusudi la Mungu katika kizazi chake, alilala; akazikwa pamoja na baba zake na mwili wake ukaoza.
David, after obediently doing God’s will in his own time, fell asleep and was laid by the side of his ancestors, and did undergo corruption;
37 Lakini yule ambaye Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu hakuona uharibifu.
but Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, did not undergo corruption.
38 “Kwa hiyo ndugu zangu, nataka ninyi mjue kwamba kwa kupitia huyu Yesu msamaha wa dhambi unatangazwa kwenu.
I would, therefore, like you to know, friends, that through Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you,
39 Kwa kupitia yeye, kila mtu amwaminiye anahesabiwa haki kwa kila kitu ambacho asingeweza kuhesabiwa haki kwa sheria ya Mose.
and that, in union with him, everyone who believes in him is absolved from every sin from which under the Law of Moses you could not be absolved.
40 Kwa hiyo jihadharini ili yale waliyosema manabii yasiwapate:
Beware, therefore, that what is said in the prophets does not come true of you –
41 “‘Angalieni, enyi wenye dhihaka, mkastaajabu, mkaangamie, kwa maana nitatenda jambo wakati wenu ambalo hamtasadiki, hata kama mtu akiwaambia.’”
‘Look, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I am doing a deed in your days – a deed which, though told you in full, you will never believe’.”
42 Paulo na Barnaba walipokuwa wakitoka nje ya sinagogi, watu wakawaomba wazungumze tena mambo hayo Sabato iliyofuata.
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people begged for a repetition of this teaching on the next Sabbath.
43 Baada ya kusanyiko la Sinagogi kutawanyika, wengi wa Wayahudi na waongofu wa dini ya Kiyahudi wakawafuata Paulo na Barnaba, wakazungumza nao na kuwahimiza wadumu katika neema ya Mungu.
After the congregation had dispersed, many of the Jews, and of the converts who joined in their worship, followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue to rely on the loving kindness of God.
44 Sabato iliyofuata, karibu watu wote wa mji walikuja kusikiliza neno la Bwana.
On the following Sabbath, almost all the city gathered to hear God’s message.
45 Lakini Wayahudi walipoona ule umati mkubwa wa watu walijawa na wivu, wakayakanusha maneno Paulo aliyokuwa akisema.
But the sight of the crowds of people filled the minds of the Jews with jealousy, and they kept contradicting Paul’s statements in violent language.
46 Ndipo Paulo na Barnaba wakawajibu kwa ujasiri, wakisema, “Ilitupasa kunena nanyi neno la Mungu kwanza. Lakini kwa kuwa mmelikataa, mkajihukumu wenyewe kuwa hamstahili uzima wa milele, sasa tunawageukia watu wa Mataifa. (aiōnios g166)
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly, and said: “It was necessary that the message of God should be told to you first; but, since you reject it and reckon yourselves not worthy of the eternal life – we turn to the Gentiles! (aiōnios g166)
47 Kwa maana hili ndilo Bwana alilotuamuru: “‘Nimewafanya ninyi kuwa nuru kwa watu wa Mataifa, ili mpate kuuleta wokovu hadi miisho ya dunia.’”
For this is the Lord’s command to us – ‘I have destined you for a light to the Gentiles, a means of salvation to the ends of the earth’.”
48 Watu wa Mataifa waliposikia haya wakafurahi na kulitukuza neno la Bwana; nao wote waliokuwa wamekusudiwa uzima wa milele wakaamini. (aiōnios g166)
On hearing this, the Gentiles were glad and extolled God’s message; and all those who had been enrolled for eternal life became believers in Christ; (aiōnios g166)
49 Neno la Bwana likaenea katika eneo lile lote.
and the Lord’s message was carried throughout that district.
50 Lakini Wayahudi wakawachochea wanawake wenye kumcha Mungu, wenye vyeo pamoja na watu maarufu katika mji, wakachochea mateso dhidi ya Paulo na Barnaba na kuwafukuza kutoka eneo hilo.
But the Jews incited the women of high social standing who worshiped with them, and the leading men of the town, and started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.
51 Hivyo Paulo na Barnaba wakakungʼuta mavumbi ya miguu yao ili kuwapinga, nao wakaenda Ikonio.
They, however, shook the dust off their feet in protest,
52 Wanafunzi wakajawa na furaha na Roho Mtakatifu.
and went to Iconium, leaving the disciples full of joy and of the Holy Spirit.
