Matendo 22
1 “Ndugu na baba zangu, sikilizeni utetezi wangu nitakaofanya kwenu sasa.”
Brethren and fathers, hear my defense, which I now make before you.
2 Makutano walipo sikia Paulo akiongea nao kwa kiebrania, wakanyamaza. Akasema,
When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the greater silence. And he said:
3 “Mimi ni myahudi, nimezaliwa mji wa Tarso eneo la Kilikia, ila nilipata elimu katika mji huu, miguuni pa Gamalieli. Nilifundishwa kulingana na njia sahihi za sheria za baba zetu. Mimi ninabidii ya Mungu, kama ninyi nyote mlivyo leo.
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, yet educated in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and instructed according to the strict discipline of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as you all are this day.
4 Niliwatesa kwa njia hii hadi kufa; nikawafunga wanaume na wanawake na kuwatupa gerezani.
And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prison both men and women,
5 Hata kuhani mkuu na wazee wote wanaweza kutoa ushahidi kwamba nilipokea barua kutoka kwao kwa ajili ya ndugu walio Dameski, kwangu mimi kusafiri kwenda huko. Ilikuwa niwalete watu Yerusalemu wa njia ile ili wafungwe na kuadhibiwa.
as the chief priest and the whole body of elders will testify for me. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring those, also, who were there, bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished.
6 Ilitokea kwamba pale nilipokua nikisafiri nakaribia Dameski, majira ya mchana ghafla nuru kuu ikatokea mbinguni ikaanza kuniangaza.
But it came to pass, that, as I was on my journey, and was drawing near to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly shone from heaven a great light round about me;
7 Nikaanguka chini na kusikia sauti ikiniambia, 'Sauli, Sauli kwanini unaniudhi?'
and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?
8 Nikajibu, 'wewe ni nani, Bwana?' Akaniambia, 'Mini ni Yesu Mnazareti, ambaye wewe unaniudhi.'
And I answered, Who art thou Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you persecute.
9 Wale waliokuwa na mimi waliiona nuru, ila hawakusikia sauti ya yule alie ongea na mimi.
They who were with me saw the light, and were afraid, but did not understand the voice of him who spoke to me.
10 Nikasema, 'Nifanye nini, Bwana?' Bwana akaniambia, 'Simama na uingie Dameski; huko utaambiwa kila kitu unachopaswa kufanya.'
And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus, and there you shall be told of all things that are appointed for you to do.
11 Sikuweza kuona kwa sababu ya muangaza wa nuru ile, ndipo nikaenda Dameski kwa kuongozwa na mikono ya wale waliokuwa na mimi.
And as I could not see for the glory of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus.
12 Huko nikakutana na mtu aitwaye Anania, alikuwa mtu aliyeshika sheria na mwenye kuheshimika mbele ya Wayahudi wote walioishi huko.
And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good report from all the Jews that dwelt there,
13 Akaja kwangu, akasimama mbele yangu, na kusema, 'Ndugu yangu Sauli, upate kuona.'Kwa muda ule ule nikamuona.
came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And the same hour I looked upon him.
14 Akasema, 'Mungu wa baba zetu amekuchagua wewe upate kujua mapenzi yake, kumuona yule mwenyehaki, na kusikia sauti itokayo kwenye kinywa chake.
And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should know his will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of his mouth;
15 Kwa sababu utakuwa shahidi kwake kwa watu wote juu ya uliyoyaona na kusikia.
for you shall be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 Basi sasa kwa nini unasubiri? Amka, ubatizwe, ukaoshe dhambi zako, ukiliita jina lake.'
And now, why do you delay? Arise, and be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
17 Baada ya kurejea Yerusalemu, na nilipokuwa nikisali ndani ya hekalu, ikatokea kwamba nikapewa maono.
And it came to pass, after I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance,
18 Nikamuona akiniambia, 'Hima na utoke Yerusalemu haraka, kwa sababu hawatakubali ushuhuda wako kuhusu mimi.'
and saw him saying to me, Make haste, and depart quickly from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony concerning me.
19 Nikasema, 'Bwana, wao wenyewe wanajua niliwafunga gerezani na kuwapiga wale waliokuamini katika kila sinagogi.
And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I threw into prison, and scourged, in every synagogue, those who believed on thee;
20 Na damu ya Stefano shahidi wako ilipomwagwa, Mimi pia nilikuwa nimesimama karibu na kukubali na nilikuwa nalinda nguo za wale waliomwua.'
and that when the blood of Stephen, thy witness, was shed, I also stood by and approved, and kept the clothing of those who slew him.
21 Lakini aliniambia, 'Enenda, kwa sababu mimi nitakutuma uende mbali kwa watu wa mataifa.”'
And he said to me, Depart, for I will send you far off to the Gentiles.
22 Watu wakamruhusu aongee juu ya neno hili. Lakini baadaye walipaza sauti na kusema, “mwondoe mtu huyu katika nchi: kwa sababu sio sahihi aishi.”
And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such a man from the earth! for it is not fit that he should live.
23 Walipokuwa wakipaza sauti, na kutupa mavazi yao na kutupa mavumbi juu,
And as they were crying out, and tossing off their clothes, and throwing dust into the air,
24 jemedari mkuu akaamuru Paulo aletwe ngomeni. Akaamuru aulizwe huku anapigwa mijeledi, ili yeye mwenyewe ajue kwa nini walikuwa wanampigia kelele namna ile.
the officer commanded him to be led into the fortress, and gave orders that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so cried out against him.
25 Hata walipokuwa wamemfunga kwa kamba, Paulo akamwambia yule akida aliye simama karibu naye, “Je! ni haki kwenu kumpiga mtu aliye Mrumi na bado hajahukumiwa?”
But Paul said to the centurion who stood by, as he caused him to be bent forward to the straps: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 Yule akida aliposikia maneno haya, akaenda kwa jemedari mkuu na kumwambia, akisema, “Unataka kufanya nini? Kwa maana mtu huyu ni mrumi.”
And when the centurion heard that, he went out and told it to the officer, saying: What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman.
27 Jemedari mkuu akaja na kumwambia, “Niambie, je wewe ni raia wa Rumi?” Paulo akasema, “Ndiyo.”
And the officer came and said to him: Tell me, are you a Roman? He answered: Yes.
28 Jemedari akamjibu, “Ni kupitia kiasi kikubwa cha pesa ndipo nilipata uraia.” Lakini Paulo akamwambia, “Mimi ni mrumi wa kuzaliwa.”
And the officer answered: With a great Bum did I purchase this citizenship. And Paul replied: But I was born a citizen.
29 Basi wale waliokuwa tayari kwenda kumuuliza wakaondoka na kumwacha wakati huo huo. Na jemedari naye akaogopa, alipojua kuwa Paulo ni Mrumi, na kwa sababu amemfunga.
Then, those who were about to examine him, immediately departed from him. And the officer was afraid, when he learned that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 Siku iliyofuatayo, jemedari mkuu alitaka kujua ukweli kuhusu mashtaka ya Wayahudi dhidi ya Paulo. Hivyo akamfungua vifungo vyake akaamuru wakuu wa makuhani na baraza lote wakutane. Akamleta Paulo chini, na kumweka katikati yao.
And, on the next day, wishing to know certainly why he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrim to meet together. And he brought Paul down, and placed him before them.
