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.
Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 Wale mitume kumi na wawili wakakusanya wanafunzi wote pamoja wakasema, “Haitakuwa vyema sisi kuacha huduma ya neno la Mungu ili kuhudumu mezani.
The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, “It is not right for us to give up the word of God in order to 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,
You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 nasi tutatumia muda wetu kuomba na huduma ya neno.”
As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in 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.
Their speech pleased the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 Wakawaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono juu yao.
The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon them.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea. Idadi ya wanafunzi ikazidi kuongezeka sana katika Yerusalemu hata makuhani wengi wakaitii ile imani.
So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Stefano, akiwa amejaa neema na nguvu za Mungu, alifanya ishara na miujiza mikubwa miongoni mwa watu.
Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing 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.
But there arose some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen.
10 Lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hekima yake wala huyo Roho ambaye alisema kwake.
But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 Ndipo kwa siri wakawashawishi watu fulani waseme, “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Mose na dhidi ya Mungu.”
Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12 Wakawachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria, nao wakamkamata Stefano wakamfikisha mbele ya baraza.
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council.
13 Wakaweka mashahidi wa uongo ambao walishuhudia wakisema, “Mtu huyu kamwe haachi kusema dhidi ya mahali hapa patakatifu na dhidi ya Sheria.
They brought false witnesses, who said, “This man does not stop speaking words against this 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 will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15 Watu wote waliokuwa wameketi katika baraza wakimkazia macho Stefano, wakaona uso wake unangʼaa kama uso wa malaika.
Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.
