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, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
2 Mitume kumi na wawili waliwaita kusanyiko lote la wanafunzi na kusema, “Siyo sahihi kwetu kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumia mezani.
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to 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.
Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy 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 steadfastly 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.
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
6 Waumini waliwaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, walioomba na badaye wakawawekea mikono yao.
whom they set before the apostles. 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.
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. 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.
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst 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 who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
10 Lakini, hawakuweza kushindana na hekima na Roho ambayo Stefano alikuwa akitumia katika kuzungumza.
They weren’t 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 secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12 Waliwashurutisha watu, wazee, na waandishi, na kumwendea Stefano, wakamkamata, na kumleta mbele ya baraza.
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to 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 who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous 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 will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15 Kila mmoja aliyekuwa katika baraza, akaelekeza macho yake kumwangalia Stefano, nao wakauona uso wake ulikuwa kama uso wa malaika.
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
