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.
About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Jews of foreign birth against the native Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
2 Mitume kumi na wawili waliwaita kusanyiko lote la wanafunzi na kusema, “Siyo sahihi kwetu kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumia mezani.
The Twelve, therefore, called together the general body of the disciples and said to them: “It is not well for us to see to the distribution at the tables and neglect God’s Message.
3 Kwa hiyo, ndugu, chagueni, wanaume saba, kutoka miongoni mwenu, watu wema, waliojaa Roho na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi huduma hii.
Therefore, Brothers, look for seven men of reputation among yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;
4 Na sisi, tutaendelea daima katika kuomba na katika huduma ya neno.”
while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to Prayer, and to the delivery of the Message.”
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.
This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen — a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit — and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;
6 Waumini waliwaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, walioomba na badaye wakawawekea mikono yao.
and they brought these men to the Apostles, who, after praying, placed 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.
So God’s Message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the Faith.
8 Na Stefano, aliyejaa neema na nguvu, alikuwa akifanya maajabu na ishara kubwa miongoni mwa watu.
Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing 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 members of the Synagogue known as that of Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;
10 Lakini, hawakuweza kushindana na hekima na Roho ambayo Stefano alikuwa akitumia katika kuzungumza.
yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration with 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 induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things 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, as well as the Councillors and the Teachers of the Law, and set upon Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.
13 waliwaleta mashahidi wa uongo, waliosema, “mtu huyu haachi kunena maneno mabaya dhidi ya eneo hili takatifu na sheria.
There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. “This man,” they said, “is incessantly saying things 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.”
indeed, we have heard him declare that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this Place, and change the customs handed down to us by Moses.”
15 Kila mmoja aliyekuwa katika baraza, akaelekeza macho yake kumwangalia Stefano, nao wakauona uso wake ulikuwa kama uso wa malaika.
The eyes of all the members of the Council were riveted upon Stephen, and they saw his face looking like the face of an angel.
