Matendo 24
1 Baada ya siku tano, kuhani mkuu Anania akashuka akiwa amefuatana na baadhi ya wazee pamoja na mwanasheria mmoja aitwaye Tertulo, nao wakaleta mashtaka yao dhidi ya Paulo mbele ya mtawala.
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down, with some of the ancients, and one Tertullus an orator, who went to the governor against Paul.
2 Paulo alipoitwa aingie ndani, Tertulo akaanza kutoa mashtaka akisema, “Mtukufu Feliksi, kwa muda mrefu tumefurahia amani na matengenezo mengi mazuri yamefanywa kwa ajili ya watu hawa kwa sababu ya upeo wako wa kuona mambo ya mbele.
And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas through thee we live in much peace, and many things are rectified by thy providence,
3 Wakati wote na kila mahali, kwa namna yoyote, mtukufu sana Feliksi, tumeyapokea mambo haya yote kwa shukrani nyingi.
We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.
4 Lakini nisije nikakuchosha zaidi, ningekuomba kwa hisani yako utusikilize kwa kifupi.
But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words.
5 “Tumemwona mtu huyu kuwa ni msumbufu, anayechochea ghasia miongoni mwa Wayahudi duniani pote. Yeye ndiye kiongozi wa dhehebu la Wanazarayo,
We have found this to be a pestilent man, and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 na hata amejaribu kulinajisi Hekalu, hivyo tukamkamata; [tukataka kumhukumu kufuatana na sheria zetu.
Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.
7 Lakini jemadari Lisia alitujia na nguvu nyingi, akamwondoa mikononi mwetu,
But Lysias the tribune coming upon us, with great violence took him away out of our hands;
8 akiwaamuru washtaki wake waje mbele yako: ili] kwa kumchunguza wewe mwenyewe unaweza kujua kutoka kwake mambo yote tunayomshtaki kwayo.”
Commanding his accusers to come to thee: of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 Pia wale Wayahudi wakaunga mkono wakithibitisha kuwa mashtaka yote haya ni kweli.
And the Jews also added, and said that these things were so.
10 Mtawala Feliksi alipompungia Paulo mkono ili ajitetee, yeye akajibu, “Najua kwamba wewe umekuwa hakimu katika taifa hili kwa miaka mingi, hivyo natoa utetezi wangu kwa furaha.
Then Paul answered, (the governor making a sign to him to speak: ) Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself.
11 Unaweza kuhakikisha kwa urahisi kuwa hazijapita zaidi ya siku kumi na mbili tangu nilipopanda kwenda Yerusalemu kuabudu.
For thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days, since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:
12 Hawa wanaonishtaki hawakunikuta nikibishana na mtu yeyote Hekaluni au kuchochea umati wa watu katika sinagogi au mahali pengine popote mjini.
And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man, or causing any concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Wala hawawezi kabisa kukuthibitishia mashtaka haya wanayonishtaki kwayo.
Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 Lakini, ninakubali kwamba mimi namwabudu Mungu wa baba zetu, mfuasi wa Njia, ile ambayo wao wanaiita dhehebu. Ninaamini kila kitu kinachokubaliana na Sheria na kile kilichoandikwa katika Manabii,
But this I confess to thee, that according to the way, which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets:
15 nami ninalo tumaini kwa Mungu, ambalo hata wao wenyewe wanalikubali kwamba kutakuwa na ufufuo wa wafu, kwa wenye haki na wasio na haki.
Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.
16 Kwa hiyo ninajitahidi siku zote kuwa na dhamiri safi mbele za Mungu na mbele za wanadamu.
And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence toward God, and towards men.
17 “Basi, baada ya kutokuwepo kwa miaka mingi nilikuja Yerusalemu ili kuwaletea watu wangu msaada kwa ajili ya maskini na kutoa dhabihu.
Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, and vows.
18 Nilikuwa nimeshatakaswa kwa taratibu za kiibada waliponikuta Hekaluni nikifanya mambo haya. Hapakuwa na umati wa watu, pamoja nami wala aliyehusika kwenye fujo yoyote.
In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Lakini kulikuwa na baadhi ya Wayahudi kutoka Asia, ambao wangelazimika wawepo hapa mbele yako ili watoe mashtaka kama wanalo jambo lolote dhidi yangu.
But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had any thing against me:
20 Au, watu hawa walioko hapa waseme ni uhalifu gani walioniona nao waliponisimamisha mbele ya baraza,
Or let these men themselves say, if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,
21 isipokuwa ni kuhusu jambo hili moja nililopiga kelele mbele yao kwamba, ‘Mimi nashtakiwa mbele yenu leo kwa sababu ya ufufuo wa wafu.’”
Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.
22 Basi Feliksi ambaye alikuwa anafahamu vizuri habari za Njia ile, akaahirisha shauri lile kwa maelezo yake akisema, “Wakati jemadari Lisia atakapoteremka huku, nitaamua shauri lako.”
And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
23 Ndipo akaamuru kiongozi wa askari amweke chini ya ulinzi lakini ampe uhuru na kuwaruhusu rafiki zake wamhudumie.
And he commanded a centurion to keep him, and that he should be easy, and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.
24 Baada ya siku kadhaa, Feliksi alikuja pamoja na Drusila mkewe, ambaye alikuwa Myahudi. Alituma aitiwe Paulo, naye akamsikiliza alipokuwa akinena juu ya imani katika Kristo Yesu.
And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard of him the faith, that is in Christ Jesus.
25 Naye Paulo alipokuwa akinena juu ya haki, kuwa na kiasi na juu ya hukumu ijayo, Feliksi aliingiwa na hofu na kusema, “Hiyo yatosha sasa! Waweza kuondoka. Nitakapokuwa na wasaa nitakuita.”
And as he treated of justice, and chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.
26 Wakati huo Feliksi alitazamia kwamba Paulo angempa rushwa. Hivyo akawa anamwita mara kwa mara na kuzungumza naye.
Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
27 Baada ya miaka miwili kupita, Porkio Festo akaingia kwenye utawala mahali pa Feliksi, lakini kwa kuwa Feliksi alitaka kuwapendeza Wayahudi, akamwacha Paulo gerezani.
But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
