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 the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul;

2 Walipokuwa wakimwabudu Bwana na kufunga, Roho Mtakatifu akasema, “Nitengeeni Sauli na Barnaba kwa kazi ile maalum niliyowaitia.”

and as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy Spirit said, Separate 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.

Then having fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away.

4 Hivyo, wakiwa wametumwa na Roho Mtakatifu, wakashuka kwenda Seleukia na kutoka huko wakasafiri baharini mpaka kisiwa cha Kipro.

These therefore being sent forth by the holy Spirit came down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed away to Cyprus.

5 Walipowasili katika mji wa Salami, wakahubiri neno la Mungu katika sinagogi la Wayahudi. Pia walikuwa na Yohana Marko kuwa msaidizi wao.

And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for 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.

And going quite through the island even to Paphos, they found there a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus.

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 with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an understanding man: who calling for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God.

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 magician (for so his name signifies) withstood them endeavouring to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

9 Ndipo Sauli, ambaye pia aliitwa Paulo, akiwa amejawa na Roho Mtakatifu, akamkazia macho Elima huyo mchawi,

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, being filled with the holy Spirit, and looking earnestly at him,

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, O thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, who art full of all deceit and craft, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways 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.

And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing even the sun for a time. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness; and groping about he sought for somebody 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 was done, believed, being struck with admiration at the doctrine of the Lord.

13 Kisha Paulo na wenzake wakasafiri toka Pafo wakafika Perga huko Pamfilia. Lakini, Yohana Marko akawaacha huko, akarejea Yerusalemu.

Now Paul and those that were with him loosing from Paphos, came to Perga in Pamphylia: but John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

14 Kutoka Perga wakaendelea hadi Antiokia ya Pisidia. Siku ya Sabato wakaingia ndani ya sinagogi, wakaketi.

And they passing on from Perga came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, 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.”

And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation to the people, deliver it.

16 Paulo akasimama, akawapungia mkono na kusema: “Enyi wanaume wa Israeli na ninyi nyote mnaomcha Mungu.

Then Paul stood up, and made a sign with his hand, and said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

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 fathers, and raised the people, while they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with mighty power brought them out of it.

18 Kwa muda wa miaka arobaini alivumilia matendo yao walipokuwa jangwani.

And about forty years He bare with their behaviour in the wilderness.

19 Naye baada ya kuyaangamiza mataifa saba waliokuwa wakiishi katika nchi ya Kanaani, akawapa Waisraeli nchi yao iwe urithi wao.

And destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them their country for an inheritance.

20 Haya yote yalichukua kama muda wa miaka 450. “Baada ya haya, Mungu akawapa waamuzi mpaka wakati wa nabii Samweli.

And after these things, about the space of four hundred and fifty years, He gave them judges till Samuel the prophet.

21 Ndipo watu wakaomba wapewe mfalme, naye Mungu akawapa Sauli mwana wa Kishi wa kabila la Benyamini, aliyetawala kwa miaka arobaini.

And then they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the Son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of 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.’

And having removed him, He raised up David for their king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will perform all my will.

23 “Kutoka uzao wa mtu huyu, Mungu amewaletea Israeli Mwokozi Yesu, kama alivyoahidi.

Of this man's seed, according to the promise, hath God raised up to Israel Jesus the Saviour:

24 Kabla ya kuja kwa Yesu, Yohana alihubiri toba na ubatizo kwa watu wote wa Israeli.

John having preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to 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.’

And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, Whom do ye take me to be? I am not He: but behold there cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.

26 “Ndugu zangu, wana wa Abrahamu, nanyi watu wa Mataifa mnaomcha Mungu, ujumbe huu wa wokovu umeletwa kwetu.

---Men and brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and all those among you that fear God, to you is the word of this salvation 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 inhabitants of Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing Him, have indeed fulfilled the words of the prophets, which are read every sabbath-day, in condemning Him.

28 Ijapokuwa hawakupata sababu yoyote ya kumhukumu kifo, walimwomba Pilato aamuru auawe.

And though they found in Him no capital offence, yet they desired of Pilate that He might be put to death.

29 Walipokwisha kufanya yale yote yaliyoandikwa kumhusu, walimshusha kutoka msalabani na kumzika kaburini.

And when they had finished all things that were written concerning 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 He was seen for many days by those that came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.

32 “Nasi tunawaletea habari njema, kwamba yale Mungu aliyowaahidi baba zetu

And we bring you good tidings,

33 sasa ameyatimiza kwetu sisi watoto wao, kwa kumfufua Yesu, kama ilivyoandikwa katika Zaburi ya pili: “‘Wewe ni Mwanangu; leo mimi nimekuzaa.’

that the promise made unto the fathers God hath fulfilled unto us their children, having raised up Jesus again: as it is also written in the second psalm, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."

34 Kwa kuwa Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu asioze kamwe, alitamka maneno haya: “‘Nitakupa wewe baraka takatifu zilizo za hakika nilizomwahidi Daudi.’

And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to the place of corruption, He hath said thus, "I will give you the sure mercies of David."

35 Kama ilivyosemwa mahali pengine katika Zaburi, “‘Hutamwacha Aliye Mtakatifu wako kuona uharibifu.’

Wherefore he saith also in another place, Thou wilt not suffer thine holy One to see corruption.

36 “Kwa maana Daudi akiisha kulitumikia kusudi la Mungu katika kizazi chake, alilala; akazikwa pamoja na baba zake na mwili wake ukaoza.

Now David having served his own generation according to the will of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption: but He whom God raised,

37 Lakini yule ambaye Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu hakuona uharibifu.

did not see corruption.

38 “Kwa hiyo ndugu zangu, nataka ninyi mjue kwamba kwa kupitia huyu Yesu msamaha wa dhambi unatangazwa kwenu.

Be it known therefore unto you, brethren, that through Him is preached unto you the remission of sins:

39 Kwa kupitia yeye, kila mtu amwaminiye anahesabiwa haki kwa kila kitu ambacho asingeweza kuhesabiwa haki kwa sheria ya Mose.

and by Him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Kwa hiyo jihadharini ili yale waliyosema manabii yasiwapate:

Beware therefore, least what is spoken in the prophets come upon you,

41 “‘Angalieni, enyi wenye dhihaka, mkastaajabu, mkaangamie, kwa maana nitatenda jambo wakati wenu ambalo hamtasadiki, hata kama mtu akiwaambia.’”

"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and vanish; for I do a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though any one should declare it unto you."

42 Paulo na Barnaba walipokuwa wakitoka nje ya sinagogi, watu wakawaomba wazungumze tena mambo hayo Sabato iliyofuata.

As they went out of the synagogue of the Jews, the Gentiles desired that these words might be spoken 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 synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who addressing themselves to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 Sabato iliyofuata, karibu watu wote wa mji walikuja kusikiliza neno la Bwana.

And on the next sabbath almost all the city came together to hear the word of God.

45 Lakini Wayahudi walipoona ule umati mkubwa wa watu walijawa na wivu, wakayakanusha maneno Paulo aliyokuwa akisema.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, opposing and reviling 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 Paul and Barnabas boldly said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you; but since ye reject it, and judge not yourselves worthy of eternal life, lo, 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 so the Lord hath commanded us, saying, "I have appointed thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation to the utmost part 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)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were determined for eternal life believed. (aiōnios g166)

49 Neno la Bwana likaenea katika eneo lile lote.

And the word of the Lord was spread through the whole country:

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 stirred up devout and honorable women, and the heads of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their territories.

51 Hivyo Paulo na Barnaba wakakungʼuta mavumbi ya miguu yao ili kuwapinga, nao wakaenda Ikonio.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

52 Wanafunzi wakajawa na furaha na Roho Mtakatifu.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the holy Spirit.