Matendo 8
1 Naye Sauli alikuwepo pale, akiridhia kuuawa kwa Stefano. Siku ile kukatukia mateso makuu dhidi ya kanisa huko Yerusalemu, waumini wote isipokuwa mitume wakatawanyika, wakakimbilia Uyahudi na Samaria.
And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Watu wacha Mungu wakamzika Stefano na kumwombolezea sana.
And devout men took order for Stephen’s funeral, and made great mourning over him.
3 Lakini kwa habari ya Sauli alikuwa analiharibu kanisa, akiingia nyumba kwa nyumba, akiwaburuta wanawake na wanaume na kuwatupa gerezani.
But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.
4 Kwa hiyo wale waliotawanyika wakalihubiri neno la Mungu kila mahali walipokwenda.
They therefore that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God.
5 Filipo akateremkia mji mmoja wa Samaria akawahubiria habari za Kristo
And Philip going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.
6 Watu walipomsikia Filipo na kuona ishara na miujiza aliyofanya, wakasikiliza kwa bidii yale aliyosema.
And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 Pepo wachafu wakawa wakiwatoka watu wengi huku wakipiga kelele na wengi waliopooza na viwete wakaponywa.
For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.
8 Hivyo pakawa na furaha kuu katika mji huo.
And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.
9 Basi mtu mmoja jina lake Simoni alikuwa amefanya uchawi kwa muda mrefu katika mji huo akiwashangaza watu wote wa Samaria. Alijitapa kwamba yeye ni mtu mkuu,
There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:
10 nao watu wote wakubwa kwa wadogo wakamsikiliza na kumaka, wakisema “Mtu huyu ndiye uweza wa Mungu ujulikanao kama ‘Uweza Mkuu.’”
To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.
11 Wakamfuata kwa sababu kwa muda mrefu alikuwa amewashangaza kwa uchawi wake.
And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.
12 Lakini watu walipomwamini Filipo alipohubiri habari njema za Ufalme wa Mungu na jina la Yesu Kristo, wakabatizwa wanaume na wanawake.
But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Simoni naye akaamini na akabatizwa. Akamfuata Filipo kila mahali, akistaajabishwa na ishara kuu na miujiza aliyoiona.
Then Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.
14 Basi mitume waliokuwa Yerusalemu waliposikia kuwa Samaria wamelipokea neno la Mungu, wakawatuma Petro na Yohana waende huko.
Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
15 Nao walipofika wakawaombea ili wampokee Roho Mtakatifu,
Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
16 kwa sababu Roho Mtakatifu alikuwa bado hajawashukia hata mmoja ila wamebatizwa tu katika jina la Bwana Yesu.
For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Ndipo Petro na Yohana wakaweka mikono yao juu ya wale waliobatizwa, nao wakapokea Roho Mtakatifu.
Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 Simoni alipoona kuwa watu wanapokea Roho Mtakatifu mitume walipoweka mikono juu yao, akataka kuwapa fedha
And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 akisema, “Nipeni na mimi uwezo huu ili kila mtu nitakayeweka mikono yangu juu yake apate kupokea Roho Mtakatifu.”
Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:
20 Petro akamjibu, “Fedha yako na iangamie pamoja nawe, kwa sababu ulidhani unaweza kununua karama ya Mungu kwa fedha!
Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Wewe huna sehemu wala fungu katika huduma hii kwa kuwa moyo wako si mnyofu mbele za Mungu.
Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Kwa hiyo tubu kwa uovu huu wako na umwombe Bwana. Yamkini aweza kukusamehe mawazo uliyo nayo moyoni mwako.
Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
23 Kwa maana ninaona kwamba wewe umejawa na uchungu na ni mfungwa wa dhambi.”
For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity.
24 Ndipo Simoni akajibu, “Niombeeni kwa Bwana, ili hayo mliyosema lolote yasinitukie.”
Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.
25 Nao walipokwisha kutoa ushuhuda na kuhubiri neno la Bwana, wakarudi Yerusalemu wakihubiri Injili katika vijiji vingi vya Samaria.
And they indeed having testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans.
26 Basi malaika wa Bwana akamwambia Filipo, “Nenda upande wa kusini kwenye ile barabara itokayo Yerusalemu kuelekea Gaza ambayo ni jangwa.”
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.
27 Hivyo akaondoka. Akiwa njiani akakutana na towashi wa Kushi, aliyekuwa afisa mkuu, mwenye mamlaka juu ya hazina zote za Kandake, Malkia wa Kushi. Huyu towashi alikuwa amekwenda Yerusalemu ili kuabudu,
And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.
28 naye akiwa njiani kurudi nyumbani alikuwa ameketi garini mwake akisoma kitabu cha nabii Isaya.
And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet.
29 Roho Mtakatifu akamwambia Filipo, “Nenda kwenye lile gari ukae karibu nalo.”
And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 Ndipo Filipo akakimbilia lile gari na kumsikia yule mtu anasoma kitabu cha nabii Isaya. Filipo akamuuliza, “Je, unaelewa hayo usomayo?”
And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?
31 Yule towashi akasema, “Nitawezaje kuelewa mtu asiponifafanulia?” Hivyo akamkaribisha Filipo ili apande na kuketi pamoja naye.
Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 Huyu towashi alikuwa anasoma fungu hili la Maandiko: “Aliongozwa kama kondoo aendaye machinjoni, kama mwana-kondoo anyamazavyo mbele yake yule amkataye manyoya, hivyo hakufungua kinywa chake.
And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.
33 Katika kufedheheshwa kwake alinyimwa haki yake. Nani awezaye kueleza juu ya kizazi chake? Kwa maana maisha yake yaliondolewa kutoka duniani.”
In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?
34 Yule towashi akamuuliza Filipo, “Tafadhali niambie, nabii huyu anena habari zake mwenyewe au habari za mtu mwingine?”
And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Ndipo Filipo akaanza kutumia fungu lile la Maandiko, akamweleza habari njema za Yesu.
Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.
36 Walipokuwa wakiendelea na safari wakafika mahali palipokuwa na maji, yule towashi akamuuliza Filipo, “Tazama, hapa kuna maji. Kitu gani kitanizuia nisibatizwe?” [
And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what doth hinder me from being baptized?
37 Filipo akamwambia, “Kama ukiamini kwa moyo wako wote unaweza kubatizwa.” Akajibu, “Naamini kuwa Yesu Kristo ni Mwana wa Mungu.”]
And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 Naye akaamuru lile gari lisimamishwe. Wakateremka kwenye maji wote wawili, yule towashi na Filipo, naye Filipo akambatiza.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.
39 Nao walipopanda kutoka kwenye maji, ghafula Roho wa Bwana akamnyakua Filipo, naye towashi hakumwona tena, lakini akaenda zake akifurahi.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.
40 Filipo akajikuta yuko Azoto, akasafiri akihubiri Injili katika miji yote mpaka alipofika Kaisaria.
But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
