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.
Now there were in Antioch, in the Church there--as Prophets and teachers--barnabas, Symeon surnamed 'the black,' Lucius the Cyrenaean, Manaen (who was Herod the Tetrarch's foster-brother), and Saul.
2 Walipokuwa wakimwabudu Bwana na kufunga, Roho Mtakatifu akasema, “Nitengeeni Sauli na Barnaba kwa kazi ile maalum niliyowaitia.”
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me, now at once, 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.
So, after fasting and prayer and the laying on of hands, they let them go.
4 Hivyo, wakiwa wametumwa na Roho Mtakatifu, wakashuka kwenda Seleukia na kutoka huko wakasafiri baharini mpaka kisiwa cha Kipro.
They therefore, being thus sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleuceia, 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.
Having reached Salamis, they began to announce God's Message in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as their assistant.
6 Walipokwisha kupita katika nchi zote hizo wakafika Pafo, ambapo walikutana na Myahudi mmoja mchawi aliyekuwa nabii wa uongo, jina lake Bar-Yesu.
When they had gone through the whole length of the island as far as Paphos, they there met with a Jewish magician and false prophet, Bar-Jesus by name,
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.
who was a friend of the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. The Proconsul was a man of keen intelligence. He 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 (or 'the Magician,' for such is the meaning of the name) opposed them, and tried to prevent the Proconsul from accepting the faith.
9 Ndipo Sauli, ambaye pia aliitwa Paulo, akiwa amejawa na Roho Mtakatifu, akamkazia macho Elima huyo mchawi,
Then Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, fixing his eyes on Elymas,
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?
said, "You who are full of every kind of craftiness and unscrupulous cunning--you son of the Devil and foe to all that is right--will you never cease to misrepresent the straight paths of the Lord?
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 Lord's hand is now upon you, and you will be blind for a time and unable to see the light of day." Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and, as he walked about, he begged people to lead him by the hand.
12 Yule mkuu wa kile kisiwa alipoona yaliyotukia, akaamini kwa sababu alistaajabishwa na mafundisho kuhusu Bwana.
Then the Proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed, being struck with amazement at the teaching of the Lord.
13 Kisha Paulo na wenzake wakasafiri toka Pafo wakafika Perga huko Pamfilia. Lakini, Yohana Marko akawaacha huko, akarejea Yerusalemu.
From Paphos, Paul and his party put out to sea and sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem.
14 Kutoka Perga wakaendelea hadi Antiokia ya Pisidia. Siku ya Sabato wakaingia ndani ya sinagogi, wakaketi.
But they themselves, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia. Here, on the Sabbath day, they went into the synagogue and sat down.
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 Wardens of the synagogue sent word to them. "Brethren," they said, "if you have anything encouraging to say to the people, 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 for silence, said, "Israelites, and you others who fear God, pay attention to me.
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 of Israel chose our forefathers, and made the people great during their stay in Egypt, until with wondrous power He brought them out from that land.
18 Kwa muda wa miaka arobaini alivumilia matendo yao walipokuwa jangwani.
For a period of about forty years, He fed them, like a nurse, 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 overthrowing seven nations in the land of Canaan, He divided that country among them as their inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years;
20 Haya yote yalichukua kama muda wa miaka 450. “Baada ya haya, Mungu akawapa waamuzi mpaka wakati wa nabii Samweli.
and afterwards He gave them judges down to the time of the Prophet Samuel.
21 Ndipo watu wakaomba wapewe mfalme, naye Mungu akawapa Sauli mwana wa Kishi wa kabila la Benyamini, aliyetawala kwa miaka arobaini.
Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who reigned 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 up David to be their king, to whom He also bore witness when He said, "'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man I love, who will obey all My commands.'
23 “Kutoka uzao wa mtu huyu, Mungu amewaletea Israeli Mwokozi Yesu, kama alivyoahidi.
"It is from among David's descendants that God, in fulfilment of His promise, has raised up a Saviour for Israel, even Jesus.
24 Kabla ya kuja kwa Yesu, Yohana alihubiri toba na ubatizo kwa watu wote wa Israeli.
Before the coming of Jesus, John had proclaimed to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance.
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.’
But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, "'What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.'
26 “Ndugu zangu, wana wa Abrahamu, nanyi watu wa Mataifa mnaomcha Mungu, ujumbe huu wa wokovu umeletwa kwetu.
"Brethren, descendants of the family of Abraham, and all among you who fear God, to us has this Message of salvation been 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.
For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled the predictions of the Prophets which are read Sabbath after Sabbath, through ignorance of those predictions and of Him.
28 Ijapokuwa hawakupata sababu yoyote ya kumhukumu kifo, walimwomba Pilato aamuru auawe.
Without having found Him guilty of any capital offence they urged Pilate to have Him put to death;
29 Walipokwisha kufanya yale yote yaliyoandikwa kumhusu, walimshusha kutoka msalabani na kumzika kaburini.
and when they had carried out everything which had been written about Him, they took Him 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, after a few days, He appeared to the people who had gone up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem and are now witnesses concerning Him to the Jews.
32 “Nasi tunawaletea habari njema, kwamba yale Mungu aliyowaahidi baba zetu
And we bring you the Good News about the promise made to our forefathers,
33 sasa ameyatimiza kwetu sisi watoto wao, kwa kumfufua Yesu, kama ilivyoandikwa katika Zaburi ya pili: “‘Wewe ni Mwanangu; leo mimi nimekuzaa.’
that God has amply fulfilled it to our children in raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'Thou art My Son: to-day I have become Thy Father.'
34 Kwa kuwa Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu asioze kamwe, alitamka maneno haya: “‘Nitakupa wewe baraka takatifu zilizo za hakika nilizomwahidi Daudi.’
And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, never again to be in the position of one soon to return to decay, He speaks thus: 'I will give you the holy and trustworthy promises made to David.'
35 Kama ilivyosemwa mahali pengine katika Zaburi, “‘Hutamwacha Aliye Mtakatifu wako kuona uharibifu.’
Because in another Psalm also He says, 'Thou wilt not give up Thy Holy One to undergo decay.'
36 “Kwa maana Daudi akiisha kulitumikia kusudi la Mungu katika kizazi chake, alilala; akazikwa pamoja na baba zake na mwili wake ukaoza.
For David, after having been useful to his own generation in accordance with God's purpose, did fall asleep, was gathered to his forefathers, and did undergo decay.
37 Lakini yule ambaye Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu hakuona uharibifu.
But He whom God raised to life underwent no decay.
38 “Kwa hiyo ndugu zangu, nataka ninyi mjue kwamba kwa kupitia huyu Yesu msamaha wa dhambi unatangazwa kwenu.
"Understand therefore, brethren, that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is announced to you;
39 Kwa kupitia yeye, kila mtu amwaminiye anahesabiwa haki kwa kila kitu ambacho asingeweza kuhesabiwa haki kwa sheria ya Mose.
and in Him every believer is absolved from all offences, from which you could not be absolved under the Law of Moses.
40 Kwa hiyo jihadharini ili yale waliyosema manabii yasiwapate:
Beware, then, lest what is spoken in the Prophets should come true of you:
41 “‘Angalieni, enyi wenye dhihaka, mkastaajabu, mkaangamie, kwa maana nitatenda jambo wakati wenu ambalo hamtasadiki, hata kama mtu akiwaambia.’”
'Behold, you despisers, be astonished and perish, because I am carrying on a work in your time--a work which you will utterly refuse to believe, though it be fully declared to you.'"
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 earnestly begged to have all this repeated to them on the following 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.
And, when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and of the devout converts from heathenism continued with Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to hold fast to the grace of God.
44 Sabato iliyofuata, karibu watu wote wa mji walikuja kusikiliza neno la Bwana.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole population of the city came together to hear the Lord's Message.
45 Lakini Wayahudi walipoona ule umati mkubwa wa watu walijawa na wivu, wakayakanusha maneno Paulo aliyokuwa akisema.
Seeing the crowds, the Jews, filled with angry jealousy, opposed Paul's statements and abused him.
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, throwing off all reserve, Paul and Barnabas said, "We were bound to proclaim God's Message to you first. But since you spurn it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of the Life of the Ages--well, 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 such is the Lord's command to us. "'I have placed Thee,' He says of Christ, 'as a light to the Gentiles, in order that Thou mayest be a Saviour as far as the remotest parts 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)
The Gentiles listened with delight and extolled the Lord's Message; and all who were pre-destined to the Life of the Ages believed. (aiōnios g166)
49 Neno la Bwana likaenea katika eneo lile lote.
So the Lord's Message spread through the whole 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 influenced the gentlewomen of rank who worshipped with them, and also the leading men in the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of the district.
51 Hivyo Paulo na Barnaba wakakungʼuta mavumbi ya miguu yao ili kuwapinga, nao wakaenda Ikonio.
But they shook off the dust from their feet as a protest against them and came to Iconium;
52 Wanafunzi wakajawa na furaha na Roho Mtakatifu.
and as for the disciples, they were more and more filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
