Matendo 15
1 Watu fulani walishuka kutoka Uyahudi na kuwafundisha ndugu, wakisema, “msipotahiriwa kama desturi ya Musa, hamwezi kuokolewa.”
But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not be saved.
2 Wakati Paulo na Barnaba walipokuwa na mapambano na mjadala pamoja nao, ndugu waliamua kwamba Paulo, Barnaba, na wengine kadhaa waende Yerusalem kwa mitume na wazee kwa ajili ya swali hili.
This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
3 Kwa hiyo, kwa kutumwa kwao na kanisa, walipitia Foinike na Samaria wakitangaza kugeuzwa nia kwa wamataifa. Walileta furaha kuu kwa ndugu wote,
The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
4 Walipokuja Yerusalem, walikaribishwa na Kanisa na mitume na wazee, na waliwasilisha taarifa ya mambo yote ambayo Mungu amefanya pamoja nao.
On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
5 Lakini watu fulani walioamini, waliokuwa katika kundi la Mafarisayo, walisimama nakusema, “ni muhimu kuwatahiri na kuwaamuru waishike sheria ya Musa.”
Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6 Hivyo mitume na wazee walisimama pamoja kulifikiria hili swala.
The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7 Baada ya majadiliano marefu, Petro alisimama na kusema kwao, “Ndugu mwatambua kwamba kitambo kizuri kilichopita Mungu alifanya chaguo kati yenu, kwamba kwa mdomo wangu Mataifa wasikie neno la injili, na kuamini.
After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
8 Mungu, anayefahamu mioyo, anashuhudia kwao, anawapa Roho mtakatifu, kama alivyofanya kwetu;
Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 na hakutengeneza utofauti kati yetu na wao, akiifanya mioyo yao safi kwa imani.
He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10 Kwa hiyo, kwa nini mnamjaribu Mungu kwamba muweke nira juu ya shingo za wanafunzi ambayo hata baba zetu wala sisi hatukuweza kustahimili?
Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11 Lakini twaamini kwamba tutaokolewa kwa neema ya Bwana Yesu, kama walivyokuwa.”
No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
12 Kusanyiko lote lilinyamaza walipokua wakimsikiliza Barnaba na Paulo walipokuwa wakitoa taarifa ya ishara na maajabu ambayo Mungu alifanya pamoja nao kati ya watu wa mataifa.
Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
13 Walipoacha kuongea, Yakobo alijibu akisema, “Ndugu nisikilizeni.
After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14 Simoni ameelezea jinsi kwanza Mungu kwa neema aliwasaidia Mataifa ili kwamba ajipatie kutoka kwao watu kwa ajili ya jina lake.
Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
15 Maneno ya manabii yanakubaliana na hili kama lilivyoandikwa.
And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
16 'Baada ya mambo haya nitarudi na kuijenga tena hema ya Daudi, iliyoanguka chini; nitainua na kuhuisha uhararibifu wake,
‘After this I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
17 ili kwamba watu waliobaki wamtafute Bwana, pamoja na watu wa Mataifa walioitwa kwa jina langu.'
that so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 Hivyo basi, ushauri wangu ni, kwamba tusiwapatie shida watu wa Mataifa wamgeukiao Mungu;
In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 lakini tuandike kwao kwamba wajiepushe mbali na uharibifu wa sanamu, tamaa za uasherati, na vilivyonyongwa, na damu.
but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
21 Kutoka vizazi vya wazee kuna watu katika kila mji wahubirio na kumsoma Musa katika masinagogi kila Sabato.”
For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Kwa hiyo ikaonekana kuwa imewapendeza mitume na wazee, pamoja na kanisa lote, kumchagua Yuda aliyeitwa Barsaba, na Silas, waliokuwa viongozi wa kanisa, na kuwatuma Antiokia pamoja na Paulo na Barnaba.
It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
23 Waliandika hivi, “Mitume, wazee na ndugu, kwa ndugu wa Mataifa walioko Antiokia, Shamu na Kilikia, salamu.
They were bearers of the following letter – ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
24 Tulisika kwamba watu fulani ambao hatukuwapatia amri hiyo, walitoka kwetu na wamewataabisha kwa mafundisho yaletayo shida nafsini mwenu.
As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
25 Kwa hiyo imeonekana vyema kwetu sote kuchagua watu na kuwatuma kwenu pamoja na wapendwa wetu Barnaba na Paulo,
We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
26 watu walio hatarisha maisha yao kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana Yesu Kristo.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
27 Kwa hiyo tumemtuma Yuda na Sila, watawaambia mambo yayo hayo.
We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
28 Kwa kuwa ilionekana vyema kwa Roho Mtakatifu na kwetu, kutoweka juu yenu mzigo mkubwa kuliko mambo haya yaliyo ya lazima:
We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
29 kwamba mgeuke kutoka kwenye vitu vitolewavyo kwa sanamu, damu, vitu vya kunyongwa, na uasherati. Kama mtajiweka mbali na hivi, itakuwa vyema kwenu. Kwa herini.”
That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
30 Hivyo basi, walivyotawanyishwa, waliteremkia Antiokia; baada ya kukusanya kusanyiko pamoja, waliwasilisha barua.
So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
31 Walipokua wameisoma, walifurahi kwa sababu ya kutiwa moyo.
and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
32 Yuda na Sila, na manabii, waliwatia moyo ndugu kwa maneno mengi na kuwatia nguvu.
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
33 Baada ya kukaa muda fulani huko, walitawanyishwa kwa amani kutoka kwa ndugu kwa wale waliowatuma.
After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
34 [ Lakini ilionekana vyema Sila kubaki huko ]
35 Lakini Paulo na wengine walikaa Antiokia pamoja na wengine wengi, ambapo walifundisha na kuhubiri neno la Bwana.
Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
36 Baada ya siku kadhaa Paulo alisema kwa Barnaba, “Na turudi sasa na kuwatembelea ndugu katika kila mji tulipohubiri neno la Bwana, na kuwaona walivyo.
Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.”
37 Barnaba alihitaji pia kumchukua pamoja nao Yohana aliyeitwa Marko.
Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
38 Lakini Paulo alifikiria haikuwa vizuri kumchukua Marko, aliyewaacha huko Pamfilia na hakuendelea nao katika kazi.
but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
39 Kisha hapo kukatokea mabishano makubwa kwa hiyo walitengana, na Barnaba alimchukua Marko na kusafiri kwa meli mpaka Kipro,
This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
40 Lakini Paulo alimchagua Sila na kuondoka, baada ya kukabidhiwa na ndugu katika neema ya Bwana.
while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
41 Na alienda kupitia Shamu na Kilikia, akiimarisha makanisa.
started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
