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 these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
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 called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Kwa hiyo, ndugu, chagueni, wanaume saba, kutoka miongoni mwenu, watu wema, waliojaa Roho na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi huduma hii.
Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 Na sisi, tutaendelea daima katika kuomba na katika huduma ya neno.”
But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry 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 saying pleased the whole 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 of Antioch:
6 Waumini waliwaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, walioomba na badaye wakawawekea mikono yao.
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on 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 in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great 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 grace and power, wrought 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 there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, 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 spake.
11 Kisha waliwashawishi baadhi ya watu kwa siri kusema, “Tumesikia Stefano akizungumza maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Musa na dhidi ya Mungu.”
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.
12 Waliwashurutisha watu, wazee, na waandishi, na kumwendea Stefano, wakamkamata, na kumleta mbele ya baraza.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
13 waliwaleta mashahidi wa uongo, waliosema, “mtu huyu haachi kunena maneno mabaya dhidi ya eneo hili takatifu na sheria.
and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this 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 say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
15 Kila mmoja aliyekuwa katika baraza, akaelekeza macho yake kumwangalia Stefano, nao wakauona uso wake ulikuwa kama uso wa malaika.
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
