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 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 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.
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 Hivyo, ndugu zetu, chagueni miongoni mwenu watu saba wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho na wenye hekima; nasi tutawakabidhi jukumu hilo.
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 Sisi, lakini, tutashughulika na sala na kazi ya kuhubiri neno la Mungu.”
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in 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.
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 Wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono.
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea na idadi ya waumini huko Yerusalemu ikaongezeka zaidi, na kundi kubwa la makuhani wakaipokea 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 Mungu alimjalia Stefano neema tele, akampa nguvu nyingi hata akawa anatenda miujiza na maajabu kati ya watu.
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst 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 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 kumshinda kwa sababu ya hekima yake na kwa sababu ya yule Roho aliyeongoza maneno yake.
They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Kwa hiyo waliwahonga watu kadhaa waseme: “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kumkashifu Mose na kumkashifu Mungu.”
Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
12 Kwa namna hiyo, waliwachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria. Basi, wakamjia Stefano, wakamkamata na kumleta mbele ya Baraza kuu.
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 Walileta Barazani mashahidi wa uongo ambao walisema, “Mtu huyu haachi kamwe kusema maneno ya kupakashifu mahali hapa patakatifu na Sheria ya Mose.
and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and 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 this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
15 Wote waliokuwa katika kile kikao cha Baraza walimkodolea macho Stefano, wakauona uso wake umekuwa kama wa malaika.
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
