Matendo 6
1 Basi ikawa katika siku hizo, wakati idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa ikiongezeka sana, palitokea manungʼuniko kati ya Wayahudi wa Kiyunani, dhidi ya Waebrania kwa sababu wajane wao walisahaulika katika mgawanyo wa chakula wa kila siku.
And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Wale mitume kumi na wawili wakakusanya wanafunzi wote pamoja wakasema, “Haitakuwa vyema sisi kuacha huduma ya neno la Mungu ili kuhudumu mezani.
Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Kwa hiyo ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, watu wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho Mtakatifu na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi kazi hii,
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 nasi tutatumia muda wetu kuomba na huduma ya neno.”
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 Yale waliyosema yakawapendeza watu wote, nao wakamchagua Stefano (mtu aliyejawa na imani na Roho Mtakatifu) pamoja na Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanori, Timoni, Parmena na Nikolao, mwongofu kutoka Antiokia.
And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 Wakawaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono juu yao.
These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea. Idadi ya wanafunzi ikazidi kuongezeka sana katika Yerusalemu hata makuhani wengi wakaitii ile imani.
And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.
8 Stefano, akiwa amejaa neema na nguvu za Mungu, alifanya ishara na miujiza mikubwa miongoni mwa watu.
And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Hata hivyo, ukainuka upinzani wa watu wa Sinagogi la Watu Huru (kama lilivyokuwa linaitwa), la Wayahudi wa Kirene na wa Iskanderia, na wengine kutoka Kilikia na Asia. Watu hawa wakaanza kupingana na Stefano.
Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 Lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hekima yake wala huyo Roho ambaye alisema kwake.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.
11 Ndipo kwa siri wakawashawishi watu fulani waseme, “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Mose na dhidi ya Mungu.”
Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.
12 Wakawachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria, nao wakamkamata Stefano wakamfikisha mbele ya baraza.
And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council.
13 Wakaweka mashahidi wa uongo ambao walishuhudia wakisema, “Mtu huyu kamwe haachi kusema dhidi ya mahali hapa patakatifu na dhidi ya Sheria.
And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law.
14 Kwa maana tumemsikia akisema kwamba Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu mahali patakatifu na kubadili desturi zote tulizopewa na Mose.”
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us.
15 Watu wote waliokuwa wameketi katika baraza wakimkazia macho Stefano, wakaona uso wake unangʼaa kama uso wa malaika.
And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.
