Matendo 6
1 Sasa katika siku hizi, wakati idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa inaongezeka, lalamiko la Wayahudi wa Kiyunani lilianza dhidi ya Waebrania, kwa sababu wajane wao walikuwa wanasahaulika katika mgao wa kila siku wa chakula.
Now in those days, the disciples being multiplied, there developed a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily assistance.
2 Mitume kumi na wawili waliwaita kusanyiko lote la wanafunzi na kusema, “Siyo sahihi kwetu kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumia mezani.
And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, they said, It is not right for us, having left the word of God behind, to serve tables.
3 Kwa hiyo, ndugu, chagueni, wanaume saba, kutoka miongoni mwenu, watu wema, waliojaa Roho na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi huduma hii.
Therefore, brothers, seek ye out seven men from you being well reported, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this need.
4 Na sisi, tutaendelea daima katika kuomba na katika huduma ya neno.”
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the service of the word.
5 Hotuba yao ikaupendeza mkutano wote. Hivyo, wakamchagua Stefano, mtu aliyejaa imani na Roho Mtakatifu, na Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanori, Timoni, Parmena, na Nikolao, mwongofu kutoka Antiokia.
And the word was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte, a citizen of Antioch,
6 Waumini waliwaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, walioomba na badaye wakawawekea mikono yao.
men whom they placed before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid hands upon them.
7 Hivyo, neno la Mungu lilienea; na idadi ya wanafunzi ilizidi kuongezeka huko Yesrusalem; na idadi kubwa ya makuhani wakaitii imani.
And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a large company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 Na Stefano, aliyejaa neema na nguvu, alikuwa akifanya maajabu na ishara kubwa miongoni mwa watu.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Lakini hapo wakainuka baadhi ya watu wafuasi wa Sinagogi liitwalo Sinagogi la Mahuru, na la Wakirene na la Waeskanderia, na baadhi kutoka Kilikia na Asia. Watu hawa walikuwa wakihojiana na Stefano.
But some of those from the synagogue called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up disputing with Stephen.
10 Lakini, hawakuweza kushindana na hekima na Roho ambayo Stefano alikuwa akitumia katika kuzungumza.
And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.
11 Kisha waliwashawishi baadhi ya watu kwa siri kusema, “Tumesikia Stefano akizungumza maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Musa na dhidi ya Mungu.”
Then they instigated men who said, We have heard him speaking blasphemous sayings against Moses and God.
12 Waliwashurutisha watu, wazee, na waandishi, na kumwendea Stefano, wakamkamata, na kumleta mbele ya baraza.
And they incited the people, and the elders, and the scholars. And after approaching, they seized him, and brought him to the council.
13 waliwaleta mashahidi wa uongo, waliosema, “mtu huyu haachi kunena maneno mabaya dhidi ya eneo hili takatifu na sheria.
And they put forward false witnesses who said, This man does not cease speaking blasphemous sayings against the holy place, and the law.
14 Kwani tumemsikia akisema kwamba huyu Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu mahali hapa na kuzibadili desturi tulizokabidhiwa na Musa.”
For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.
15 Kila mmoja aliyekuwa katika baraza, akaelekeza macho yake kumwangalia Stefano, nao wakauona uso wake ulikuwa kama uso wa malaika.
And all who sat in the council, having gazed upon him, saw his face like a face of an agent.
