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 those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
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 summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake 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,
Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 nasi tutatumia muda wetu kuomba na huduma ya neno.”
But we will continue steadfastly 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.
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
6 Wakawaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono juu yao.
whom they set before the emissaries. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea. Idadi ya wanafunzi ikazidi kuongezeka sana katika Yerusalemu hata makuhani wengi wakaitii ile imani.
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 Stefano, akiwa amejaa neema na nguvu za Mungu, alifanya ishara na miujiza mikubwa miongoni mwa watu.
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst 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 some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 Lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hekima yake wala huyo Roho ambaye alisema kwake.
They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Ndipo kwa siri wakawashawishi watu fulani waseme, “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Mose na dhidi ya Mungu.”
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and 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 came against him and seized him, then brought him in 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 set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah.
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 Yeshua of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15 Watu wote waliokuwa wameketi katika baraza wakimkazia macho Stefano, wakaona uso wake unangʼaa kama uso wa malaika.
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
