Matendo 6
1 Baadaye, idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa inazidi kuongezeka, kulitokea manung'uniko kati ya wanafunzi waliosema Kigiriki na wale waliosema Kiebrania. Wale waliosema Kigiriki walinung'unika kwamba wajane wao walikuwa wanasahauliwa katika ugawaji wa mahitaji ya kila siku.
Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms.
2 Kwa hiyo, mitume kumi na wawili waliita jumuiya yote ya wanafunzi, wakasema, “Si vizuri sisi tuache kulihubiri neno la Mungu ili tushughulikie ugawaji wa mahitaji.
Then the Twelve called the general body of the disciples together, and said to them. "It is not fitting for us to leave off preaching the Word of God, and minister at tables.
3 Hivyo, ndugu zetu, chagueni miongoni mwenu watu saba wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho na wenye hekima; nasi tutawakabidhi jukumu hilo.
"So, brothers, find from among your own number seven men of good reputation who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them over this business.
4 Sisi, lakini, tutashughulika na sala na kazi ya kuhubiri neno la Mungu.”
"But we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."
5 Jambo hilo likaipendeza jumuiya yote ya waumini. Wakawachagua Stefano, mtu mwenye imani kubwa na mwenye kujawa na Roho Mtakatifu, Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanora, Timona, Parmena na Nikolao wa Antiokia ambaye hapo awali alikuwa ameongokea dini ya Kiyahudi.
This plan commended itself to the whole body, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.
6 Wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono.
These men they presented to the apostles who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea na idadi ya waumini huko Yerusalemu ikaongezeka zaidi, na kundi kubwa la makuhani wakaipokea imani.
And the word of the Lord continued to spread; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was increasing exceedingly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Mungu alimjalia Stefano neema tele, akampa nguvu nyingi hata akawa anatenda miujiza na maajabu kati ya watu.
Meanwhile Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Lakini watu fulani wakatokea ili wabishane na Stefano. Baadhi ya watu hao walikuwa wa sunagogi moja lililoitwa “Sunagogi la Watu Huru”, nao walitoka Kurene na Aleksandria; wengine walitoka Kilikia na Asia.
But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen,
10 Lakini hawakuweza kumshinda kwa sababu ya hekima yake na kwa sababu ya yule Roho aliyeongoza maneno yake.
but were unable to withstand the wisdom and spirit with which he used to speak.
11 Kwa hiyo waliwahonga watu kadhaa waseme: “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kumkashifu Mose na kumkashifu Mungu.”
Then they instigated some to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemy against Moses and against God;" and in this way they excited the people.
12 Kwa namna hiyo, waliwachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria. Basi, wakamjia Stefano, wakamkamata na kumleta mbele ya Baraza kuu.
The elders and the scribes rushed upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin.
13 Walileta Barazani mashahidi wa uongo ambao walisema, “Mtu huyu haachi kamwe kusema maneno ya kupakashifu mahali hapa patakatifu na Sheria ya Mose.
They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law.
14 Kwa maana tulikwisha msikia akisema eti huyo Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu kabisa mahali hapa na kufutilia mbali desturi zile tulizopokea kutoka kwa Mose.”
"For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses."
15 Wote waliokuwa katika kile kikao cha Baraza walimkodolea macho Stefano, wakauona uso wake umekuwa kama wa malaika.
Then all who were sitting in the council at once fixed their eyes upon him, and saw his face like the face of an angel.
