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, as the number of disciples increased, there rose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
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.
So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, It is not seemly that we should leave the word of God and attend at tables.
3 Hivyo, ndugu zetu, chagueni miongoni mwenu watu saba wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho na wenye hekima; nasi tutawakabidhi jukumu hilo.
Wherefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good character, full of the holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this matter:
4 Sisi, lakini, tutashughulika na sala na kazi ya kuhubiri neno la Mungu.”
but we will constantly attend 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.
And the advice pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch.
6 Wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono.
These they set before 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 God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was greatly multiplied; and a great number of the priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Mungu alimjalia Stefano neema tele, akampa nguvu nyingi hata akawa anatenda miujiza na maajabu kati ya watu.
Now Stephen being full of grace and power, wrought miracles and great 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 there rose up some of the synagogue, which is called that of the libertines, and some of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and Asia, to dispute with Stephen:
10 Lakini hawakuweza kumshinda kwa sababu ya hekima yake na kwa sababu ya yule Roho aliyeongoza maneno yake.
and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake.
11 Kwa hiyo waliwahonga watu kadhaa waseme: “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kumkashifu Mose na kumkashifu Mungu.”
Then they suborned men to say, we heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.
12 Kwa namna hiyo, waliwachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria. Basi, wakamjia Stefano, wakamkamata na kumleta mbele ya Baraza kuu.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, and forced him along with them, and brought him 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 they set up false witnesses; who said, This man is continually 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 shall destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered to us.
15 Wote waliokuwa katika kile kikao cha Baraza walimkodolea macho Stefano, wakauona uso wake umekuwa kama wa malaika.
(And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.)
