Matendo 26

1 Basi, Agripa akamwambia Paulo, “Unaruhusiwa kujitetea.” Hapo Paulo alinyosha mkono wake akajitetea hivi:

Agrippa then to Paul was saying; It is permitted you (for *N(k)O*) yourself to speak. Then Paul having stretched out the hand was presenting a defense:

2 “Mfalme Agripa, ninajiona mwenye bahati leo kujitetea mbele yako kuhusu yale mashtaka yote ambayo Wayahudi walikuwa wamesema juu yangu.

Concerning all of which I am accused by [the] Jews, King Agrippa, I have esteemed myself fortunate before you being about today to present a defense;

3 Hasa kwa vile wewe mwenyewe ni mtaalamu wa desturi za Wayahudi na migogoro yao, ninakuomba basi unisikilize kwa uvumilivu.

Especially acquainted being you with all the of [the] Jews (customs *NK(o)*) and also controversies. therefore I implore (you *k*) patiently to hear me.

4 “Wayahudi wanajua habari za maisha yangu tangu utoto, jinsi nilivyoishi tangu mwanzo kati ya taifa langu huko Yerusalemu.

The indeed then manner of life of mine which [is] from youth from [its] beginning having been among the nation of mine in (also *no*) Jerusalem know all the Jews

5 Wananifahamu kwa muda mrefu, na wanaweza kushuhudia, kama wakipenda, kwamba tangu mwanzo niliishi kama mmoja wa kikundi chenye siasa kali zaidi katika dini yetu, yaani kikundi cha Mafarisayo.

knowing me from the first, if they may be willing to testify that according to the strictest sect of our own religion I lived [as] a Pharisee;

6 Na sasa niko hapa nihukumiwe kwa sababu ninaitumainia ile ahadi ambayo Mungu aliwaahidia babu zetu.

And now for [the] hope of the (to *N(k)O*) the fathers of us promise having been made by God I have stood being judged,

7 Ahadi hiyo ndiyo ileile inayotumainiwa na makabila kumi na mawili ya taifa letu, wakimtumikia Mungu kwa dhati mchana na usiku. Mheshimiwa mfalme, Wayahudi wananishtaki kwa sababu ya tumaini hilo!

to which the twelve tribes of us in earnestness night and day serving they hope to attain, concerning which hope I am accused (Agrippa *K*) by (the *k*) Jews, O king,

8 Kwa nini ninyi mnaona shida sana kuamini kwamba Mungu huwafufua wafu?

Why incredible is it judged by you if God [the] dead raises?

9 Kwa kweli mimi mwenyewe niliamini kwamba ni wajibu wangu kufanya mambo mengi kulipinga jina la Yesu wa Nazareti.

I myself indeed therefore thought in myself to the name of Jesus of Nazareth needing many things contrary to do,

10 Mambo hayo ndiyo niliyoyafanya huko Yerusalemu. Mimi binafsi, nikiwa nimepewa mamlaka kutoka kwa makuhani wakuu, nilipata kuwatia gerezani wengi wa watu wa Mungu. Nao walipohukumiwa kuuawa, nilipiga kura ya kukubali.

which also I did in Jerusalem and many (also *no*) of the saints I myself (in *no*) prisons locked up the from the chief priests authority having received, when were being executed then they I cast against [them] a vote;

11 Mara nyingi niliwafanya waadhibiwe katika masunagogi yote nikiwashurutisha waikane imani yao. Hasira yangu kwao ilikuwa kubwa hata nikawasaka mpaka miji ya mbali.

And in all the synagogues often punishing them I was compelling [them] to blaspheme, Excessively then being furious against them I was persecuting [them] as far as even to foreign cities.

12 “Kwa mujibu huohuo, nilikwenda Damasko wakati mmoja, nikiwa na mamlaka na maagizo kutoka kwa makuhani wakuu.

during which (and *k*) journeying to Damascus with [the] authority and commission which [is] (from *k*) the chief priests

13 Mheshimiwa, wakati nilipokuwa njiani, saa sita mchana, niliona mwanga mkubwa kuliko wa jua ukiangaza kutoka mbinguni, ukanizunguka mimi na wale wasafiri wenzangu.

At day mid on the road I saw, O king, from heaven above the brightness of the sun having shone around me a light and those with me myself journeying.

14 Sisi sote tulianguka chini, nami nikasikia sauti ikiniambia kwa Kiebrania: Saulo, Saulo! Kwa nini unanitesa? Unajiumiza bure kama punda anayepiga teke fimbo ya bwana wake.

All (and *N(k)O*) when were falling down we to the ground I heard a voice (saying *N(k)O*) to me (and saying *k*) in the Hebrew language; Saul Saul, why Me persecute you? [It is] hard for you against [the] goads to kick.

15 Mimi nikauliza: Ni nani wewe Bwana? Naye Bwana akajibu: Mimi ni Yesu ambaye wewe unamtesa.

I myself then said; Who are You Lord? And (the Lord *no*) said; I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting.

16 Haidhuru, inuka sasa; simama wima. Nimekutokea ili nikuweke rasmi kuwa mtumishi wangu. Utawathibitishia watu wengine mambo uliyoyaona leo na yale ambayo bado nitakuonyesha.

But do rise up and do stand on the feet of you; to this [purpose] for I have appeared to you to appoint you a servant and a witness of that which both you have seen (of Me *NO*) of the things in which then I will appear to you,

17 Nitakuokoa na watu wa Israeli na watu wa mataifa mengine ambao mimi ninakutuma kwao.

delivering you out from the people and (from *no*) the Gentiles, to whom (I myself *N(K)O*) am sending you

18 Utayafumbua macho yao na kuwawezesha watoke gizani na kuingia katika mwanga; watoke katika utawala wa Shetani, wamgeukie Mungu; ili kwa kuamini, wapate kusamehewa dhambi na kuchukua nafasi yao kati ya wale ambao wamepata kuwa watu wa Mungu.

to open eyes of them, that (to turn *NK(o)*) from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, [that] to receive they forgiveness of sins and [an] inheritance among those sanctified by faith which [is] in Me myself.

19 “Hivyo, mfalme Agripa, sikuweza kuwa mkaidi kwa maono hilo la mbinguni.

So then, O king Agrippa, not I was disobedient to the heavenly vision,

20 Ila nilianza kuhubiri kwanza kwa watu wa Damasko, halafu kwa wale wa Yerusalemu na nchi yote ya Yudea, na pia kwa watu wa mataifa mengine. Niliwahimiza wamgeukie Mungu na kuonyesha kwa vitendo kwamba wamebadilisha mioyo yao.

but to those in Damascus first (both *no*) also in Jerusalem (into *k*) all both the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles (I was declaring *N(k)O*) to repent and to turn to God worthy of repentance works doing.

21 Kwa sababu hiyo, Wayahudi walinikamata nikiwa Hekaluni, wakajaribu kuniua.

On account of these things me (the *k*) Jews having seized (being *n*) in the temple they were attempting to kill.

22 Lakini Mungu alinisaidia; na hivyo mpaka siku ya leo nimesimama imara nikitoa ushuhuda kwa wote, wakubwa na wadogo. Ninayosema ni yale ambayo manabii na Mose walisema yatatukia;

Help therefore having obtained (from *N(k)O*) God unto day this I have stood (bearing witness *N(k)O*) to small both and to great, no [thing] other saying than what both the prophets said was about to happen and Moses,

23 yaani ilimpasa Kristo ateseke na kuwa wa kwanza kufufuka kutoka wafu, ili atangaze kwamba mwanga wa ukombozi unawaangazia sasa watu wote, Wayahudi na pia watu wa mataifa mengine.”

that would suffer the Christ, as first through resurrection from [the] dead light He is about to preach (to both *no*) our people and to the Gentiles.

24 Paulo alipofika hapa katika kujitetea kwake, Festo alisema kwa sauti kubwa, “Paulo! Una wazimu! Kusoma kwako kwingi kunakutia wazimu!”

These things now when he is presenting a defense Festus in a loud voice (said; *N(k)O*) You are insane Paul! The great of you learning to insanity turns [you]!

25 Lakini Paulo akasema, “Sina wazimu mheshimiwa Festo: Ninachosema ni ukweli mtupu.

But (Paul; *no*) Not I am insane says most excellent Festus, but of truth and sobriety declarations I utter.

26 Wewe Mfalme unayafahamu mambo haya, kwa hiyo ninaweza kuongea bila uoga mbele yako. Sina mashaka kwamba matukio hayo yanajulikana kwako maana jambo hili halikutendeka mafichoni.

Understands for concerning these things the king to whom also using boldness I speak; Hiding for him any of these things not I am persuaded no [thing]; not for is in a corner done of these things.

27 Mfalme Agripa, je, una imani na manabii? Najua kwamba unaamini.”

Believe you, King Agrippa, in the prophets? I know that you believe.

28 Agripa akamjibu Paulo, “Kidogo tu utanifanya Mkristo!”

Then Agrippa to Paul (was saying: *k*) Within so little [time] me you [seek to] persuade a Christian (to become! *N(k)O*)

29 Paulo akamjibu, “Namwomba Mungu kwamba, kwa muda mfupi au mrefu, si wewe tu bali wote wanaonisikia leo wapate kuwa kama nilivyo mimi, lakini bila hii minyororo.”

And Paul (said; *k*) I would wish may God both in a little and in (much *N(k)O*) not only you but also all those hearing me this day to become such as also I myself am except chains these.

30 Hapo mfalme Agripa, mkuu wa mkoa, Bernike na wale wote waliokuwa pamoja nao, walisimama.

(and these things when was speaking he *K*) rose up (then *no*) the king and the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them;

31 Walipokwisha ondoka, waliambiana, “Mtu huyu hakufanya chochote kinachostahili adhabu ya kifo au kifungo.”

and having withdrawn they were speaking to one another saying that No [thing] of death or of chains worthy (any *NO*) is doing man this.

32 Naye Agripa akamwambia Festo, “Mtu huyu angeweza kufunguliwa kama asingalikuwa amekata rufani kwa Kaisari.”

Agrippa then to Festus was saying; to have been released was able man this, only unless he had appealed to Caesar.