Matendo 15
1 Baadhi ya watu wakashuka Antiokia kutoka Uyahudi, nao wakawa wanawafundisha wandugu: “Msipotahiriwa kufuatana na desturi aliyofundisha Mose, hamwezi kuokoka.”
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Brethren that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom enjoined by Moses, they could not be saved.
2 Baada ya Paulo na Barnaba kutokubaliana nao kukawa na mabishano makali, Paulo na Barnaba na baadhi ya wengine miongoni mwao wakachaguliwa kwenda Yerusalemu ili kujadiliana jambo hili na mitume na wazee.
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these men, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the Apostles and Officers of the Church about the matter under discussion.
3 Hivyo wakasafirishwa na kanisa, wakiwa njiani wakapitia nchi ya Foinike na Samaria, wakawaeleza jinsi watu wa Mataifa walivyookoka. Habari hizi zikaleta furaha kubwa kwa ndugu wote.
The Church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the Brethren.
4 Walipofika Yerusalemu, walipokelewa na kanisa na mitume pamoja na wazee, ndipo Paulo na Barnaba wakawaarifu kila kitu Mungu alichokuwa amefanya kupitia kwao.
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the Officers, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
5 Ndipo baadhi ya walioamini wa madhehebu ya Mafarisayo wakasimama na kusema, “Hao watu wa Mataifa lazima watahiriwe na waagizwe kutii sheria ya Mose.”
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 Mitume na wazee wakakutana pamoja ili kufikiri jambo hili.
The Apostles and the Officers of the Church held a meeting to consider this question.
7 Baada ya majadiliano mengi, Petro akasimama na kusema, “Ndugu zangu, mnajua kwamba siku za kwanza Mungu alinichagua ili kwa midomo yangu watu wa Mataifa wapate kusikia ujumbe wa Injili na kuamini.
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my Brothers, know well that long ago God singled me out — that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the Message of the Good News, and become believers in Christ.
8 Mungu, yeye ajuaye mioyo, alionyesha kwamba anawakubali kwa kuwapa Roho Mtakatifu kama vile alivyotupa sisi.
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 Mungu hakutofautisha kati yetu na wao, bali alitakasa mioyo yao kwa imani.
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 Sasa basi, mbona mnataka kumjaribu Mungu kwa kuweka kongwa shingoni mwa wanafunzi ambalo baba zetu wala sisi hatukuweza kulibeba?
Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11 Lakini sisi tunaamini ya kuwa tunaokolewa kwa neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, kama wao wanavyookolewa.”
No, it is through the loving-kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
12 Kusanyiko lote likakaa kimya, wakawasikiliza Paulo na Barnaba wakieleza jinsi Mungu alivyowatumia kutenda ishara na maajabu kwa watu wa Mataifa.
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
13 Walipomaliza kunena, Yakobo akasema, “Ndugu zangu, nisikilizeni.
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Brothers,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14 Simoni amekwisha kutueleza jinsi Mungu, kwa mara ya kwanza alivyoonyesha kuhusika kwa kujichagulia watu kutoka watu wa Mataifa kwa ajili ya Jina lake.
Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his Name.
15 Maneno ya manabii yanakubaliana na jambo hili, kama ilivyoandikwa:
And that is in harmony with the words of the Prophets, where they say —
16 “‘Baada ya mambo haya nitarudi, nami nitajenga upya nyumba ya Daudi iliyoanguka. Nitajenga tena magofu yake na kuisimamisha,
‘“After this I will return; And I will rebuild the House of David which has fallen — Its very ruins I will rebuild, And will set it up once more;
17 ili wanadamu wengine wote wapate kumtafuta Bwana, hata wale watu wa Mataifa wote ambao wanaitwa kwa Jina langu, asema Bwana, afanyaye mambo haya’
That so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord — Even all the Gentiles on whom my Name has been bestowed.”
Says the Lord, as he does these things, foreknown from of old.’ (aiōn g165)
19 “Kwa hivyo uamuzi wangu ni kwamba, tusiwataabishe watu wa Mataifa wanaomgeukia Mungu.
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 Badala yake, tuwaandikie kwamba wajiepushe na vyakula vilivyonajisiwa kwa kutolewa sanamu, wajiepushe na uasherati, au kula mnyama aliyenyongwa, na damu.
but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
21 Kwa maana katika kila mji kwa vizazi vilivyopita, Mose amekuwa na wale wanaotangaza sheria yake kwa kuwa imekuwa ikisomwa kwa sauti kubwa katika masinagogi kila Sabato.”
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the Synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Mitume na wazee pamoja na kanisa lote, wakaamua kuwachagua baadhi ya watu wao na kuwatuma Antiokia pamoja na Paulo na Barnaba. Wakamchagua Yuda aitwaye Barsaba pamoja na Sila, watu wawili waliokuwa viongozi miongoni mwa ndugu.
It was then decided by the Apostles and the Officers, with the assent of the whole Church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leading men among the Brethren.
23 Wakatumwa na barua ifuatayo: Sisi mitume na wazee, ndugu zenu, Kwa ndugu Mataifa mlioamini mlioko Antiokia, Shamu na Kilikia: Salamu.
They were bearers of the following letter — ‘The Apostles, and the Brothers who are the Officers of the Church, send their greetings to the Brethren of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
24 Tumesikia kwamba kuna baadhi ya watu waliokuja huko kutoka kwetu bila ruhusa yetu na kuwasumbua, wakiyataabisha mawazo yenu.
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds — without instructions from us —
25 Hivyo tumekubaliana wote kuwachagua baadhi ya watu na kuwatuma kwenu pamoja na wapendwa wetu Barnaba na Paulo,
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear brothers Barnabas and Paul,
26 watu ambao wamehatarisha maisha yao kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
who have sacrificed themselves for the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 Kwa hiyo tunawatuma Yuda na Sila, kuthibitisha kwa maneno ya mdomo mambo haya tunayowaandikia.
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 Kwa maana imempendeza Roho Mtakatifu na sisi tusiwatwike mzigo wowote mkubwa zaidi ya mambo haya yafuatayo ambayo ni ya lazima:
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden upon you beyond these necessary conditions —
29 Kwamba mjiepushe na vyakula vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu, na damu, au kula nyama ya mnyama aliyenyongwa, na mjiepushe na uasherati. Mkiyaepuka mambo haya, mtakuwa mmefanya vyema. Kwaherini.
That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
30 Hivyo wakaagwa, wakashuka kwenda Antiokia. Baada ya kulikusanya kanisa pamoja, wakawapa ile barua.
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the brethren,
31 Nao hao watu wakiisha kuisoma, wakafurahishwa sana kwa ujumbe wake wa kutia moyo.
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 Yuda na Sila, ambao wenyewe walikuwa manabii, wakanena maneno mengi ya kuwatia moyo na kuwajenga katika imani wale ndugu walioamini.
Judas and Silas, who were themselves Prophets, further encouraged the Brethren by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 Baada ya kukaa huko Antiokia kwa muda, wakaagwa kwa amani na wale ndugu ili waende kwa wale waliowatuma. [
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the Brethren, and returned to those who had sent them.
34 Lakini Sila bado akaendelea kukaa huko.]
35 Lakini Paulo na Barnaba walibaki Antiokia ambako wao pamoja na wengine wengi walifundisha na kuhubiri neno la Bwana.
Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the Good News of the Lord’s Message.
36 Baada ya muda, Paulo akamwambia Barnaba, “Turudi tukawatembelee ndugu katika miji yote tuliyohubiri neno la Bwana tuone jinsi wanavyoendelea.”
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas: “Let us go back and visit the Brethren in every town in which we have told the Lord’s Message, and see how they are prospering.”
37 Barnaba alitaka wamchukue Yohana aitwaye Marko waende naye.
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 Lakini Paulo aliona si vyema kwa sababu aliwahi kuwaacha walipokuwa huko Pamfilia, hakutaka kuendelea kufanya kazi naye.
but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
39 Pakatokea ubishi mkali kati ya Paulo na Barnaba kuhusu jambo hili, hivyo wakagawanyika. Barnaba akamchukua Yohana Marko wakasafiri baharini kwenda Kipro.
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 Lakini Paulo akamchagua Sila na akaondoka baada ya ndugu kuwatakia neema ya Bwana.
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the Brethren to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 Akapitia Shamu na Kilikia, akiimarisha makanisa ya huko.
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches in the faith.
