Matendo 9
1 Wakati huo Saulo alikuwa akizidisha vitisho vikali vya kuwaua wafuasi wa Bwana. Alikwenda kwa Kuhani Mkuu,
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 akaomba apatiwe barua za utambulisho kwa masunagogi ya Kiyahudi kule Damasko, ili akikuta huko wanaume au wanawake wanaofuata Njia ya Bwana, awakamate na kuwaleta Yerusalemu.
and begged of him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any that were of the Way, either men or women, he could bind them and bring them to Jerusalem.
3 Lakini alipokuwa njiani karibu kufika Damasko, ghafla mwanga kutoka angani ulimwangazia pande zote.
And as he journeyed, when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him.
4 Akaanguka chini na kusikia sauti ikimwambia: “Saulo, Saulo! Kwa nini unanitesa?”
He fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
5 Naye Saulo akauliza, “Ni nani wewe Bwana?” Na ile sauti ikajibu, “Mimi ni Yesu ambaye wewe unamtesa.
And he said, "Who are you Lord?"
6 Lakini simama sasa, uingie mjini na huko utaambiwa unachopaswa kufanya.”
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he said. "Stand up and go into the city, and there you shall be told what you must do."
7 Wale watu waliokuwa wanasafiri pamoja na Saulo walisimama pale, wakiwa hawana la kusema; walisikia ile sauti lakini hawakumwona mtu.
Meanwhile the men who were his fellow travelers stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one.
8 Saulo aliinuka, na alipofumbua macho yake hakuweza kuona chochote; hivyo wale watu wakamwongoza kwa kumshika mkono mpaka mjini Damasko.
And Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he continued to perceive nothing; so they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.
9 Saulo alikaa siku tatu bila kuona, na wakati huo hakula au kunywa chochote.
And he remained there three days, seeing nothing, and without eating or drinking.
10 Basi, huko Damasko kulikuwa na mfuasi mmoja aitwaye Anania. Bwana akamwambia katika maono, “Anania!” Anania akaitika, “Niko hapa, Bwana.”
Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" And he answered, "Lo, I am here, Lord."
11 Naye Bwana akamwambia, “Jitayarishe uende kwenye barabara inayoitwa Barabara ya Moja kwa Moja, na katika nyumba ya Yuda umtake mtu mmoja kutoka Tarso aitwaye Saulo. Sasa anasali;
And the Lord said to him. "Arise, go into the street named ‘Straight,’ and make inquiries in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus, one Saul.
12 na katika maono ameona mtu aitwaye Anania akiingia ndani na kumwekea mikono ili apate kuona tena.”
He is now praying, and has seen a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 Lakini Anania akajibu, “Bwana, nimesikia habari za mtu huyu kutoka kwa watu wengi; nimesikia juu ya mabaya aliyowatendea watu wako huko Yerusalemu.
"But, Lord," said Ananias, "I have heard from many about that man, and how much evil he did to the saints at Jerusalem!
14 Na amekuja hapa akiwa na mamlaka kutoka kwa makuhani wakuu kuwatia nguvuni wote wanaoomba kwa jina lako.”
"In this city, too, he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all those who call upon thy name."
15 Lakini Bwana akamwambia, “Nenda tu, kwa maana nimemchagua awe chombo changu, alitangaze jina langu kwa mataifa na wafalme wao na kwa watu wa Israeli.
"Go," answered the Lord, "this man is chosen instrument of mine to bear my name before the nations and their kings, and before the Children of Israel also;
16 Mimi mwenyewe nitamwonyesha mengi yatakayomlazimu kuteswa kwa ajili ya jina langu.”
"for I am going to show him all he has to suffer for the sake of my name."
17 Basi, Anania akaenda, akaingia katika hiyo nyumba. Kisha akaweka mikono yake juu ya Saulo, akasema, “Ndugu Saulo, Bwana ambaye ndiye Yesu mwenyewe aliyekutokea ulipokuwa njiani kuja hapa, amenituma ili upate kuona tena na kujazwa Roho Mtakatifu.”
And so Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to you on your journey, has sent me that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Mara vitu kama magamba vikaanguka kutoka macho ya Saulo, akaweza kuona tena. Akasimama, akabatizwa.
Instantly something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
19 Na baada ya kula chakula, nguvu zake zikamrudia. Saulo alikaa siku chache pamoja na wafuasi huko Damasko.
Afterward he took food and was strengthened. And he remained for some time with the disciples at Damascus.
20 Mara alianza kuhubiri katika masunagogi kwamba Yesu ni Mwana wa Mungu.
And he began at once to proclaim in the synagogues Jesus as the Son of God.
21 Watu wote waliomsikia walishangaa, wakasema, “Je, mtu huyu si yuleyule aliyewaua wale waliokuwa wanaomba kwa jina hili kule Yerusalemu? Tena alikuja hapa akiwa na madhumuni ya kuwatia nguvuni watu hao na kuwapeleka kwa makuhani!”
His hearers were all astonished, and began to say. "Is not this the very man who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called upon the Name? Did he not come hither for the express purpose of carrying them all in chains to the high priests?"
22 Saulo alizidi kupata nguvu, na kwa jinsi alivyothibitisha wazi kwamba Yesu ndiye Kristo, Wayahudi wa huko Damasko walivurugika kabisa.
But Saul gained more and more influence, and kept putting the Jews who lived in Damascus to confusion by his proof that Jesus was the Christ.
23 Baada ya siku nyingi kupita, Wayahudi walikusanyika na kufanya mpango wa kumwua Saulo.
And when many days were fulfilled the Jews made a plot to kill Saul;
24 Lakini Saulo alipata habari ya mpango huo. Usiku na mchana walilinda milango ya kuingia mjini ili wapate kumwua.
but information of their plot was given Saul, and although they kept watch day and night on the gates, in order to make away with him,
25 Lakini wakati wa usiku wanafunzi wake walimchukua, wakamteremsha chini ndani ya kapu kubwa kwa kupitia nafasi iliyokuwako ukutani.
his disciples took him by night, and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 Saulo alipofika Yerusalemu alijaribu kujiunga na wale wanafunzi. Lakini wote walimwogopa, na hawakuweza kuamini kwamba yeye amekuwa mfuasi.
So he came to Jerusalem, and attempted to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple.
27 Hapo, Barnaba alikuja akamchukua Saulo, akampeleka kwa mitume na kuwaeleza jinsi Saulo alivyomwona Bwana njiani na jinsi Bwana alivyoongea naye. Aliwaambia pia jinsi Saulo alivyokuwa amehubiri bila uoga kule Damasko.
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and told them how Saul had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him; and also how he had preached the Name of the Lord Jesus boldly at Damascus.
28 Basi, Saulo alikaa pamoja nao, akatembelea Yerusalemu yote akihubiri neno la Bwana bila hofu.
Henceforth Saul was one of them, going in and out of the city, and speaking fearlessly in the Name of the Lord.
29 Pia aliongea na kubishana na Wayahudi wasemao Kigiriki, lakini wao walijaribu kumwua.
He also used to hold conversations and debates with the Grecian Jews, but they kept trying to kill him.
30 Wale ndugu walipogundua jambo hilo walimchukua Saulo, wakampeleka Kaisarea, wakamwacha aende zake Tarso.
When they learned this the brothers took him down to Caesarea, and then sent him forth to Tarsus.
31 Wakati huo kanisa likawa na amani popote katika Yudea, Galilaya, na Samaria. Lilijengwa na kukua katika kumcha Bwana, na kuongezeka likitiwa moyo na Roho Mtakatifu.
Now throughout the whole of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria the Church continued to enjoy peace and to be spiritually built up. It was increasing in members also, as it kept walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32 Petro alipokuwa anasafirisafiri kila mahali alifika pia kwa watu wa Mungu waliokuwa wanaishi Luda.
Now Peter, as he was going from town to town, came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda.
33 Huko alimkuta mtu mmoja aitwaye Enea ambaye kwa muda wa miaka minane alikuwa amelala kitandani kwa sababu alikuwa amepooza.
Here he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, a paralytic.
34 Basi, Petro akamwambia, “Enea, Yesu Kristo anakuponya. Amka utandike kitanda chako.” Enea akaamka mara.
Peter said to him. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you! Rise and make your own bed!"
35 Wakazi wote wa Luda na Saroni walimwona Enea, na wote wakamgeukia Bwana.
At once he rose to his feet. All the people of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Kulikuwa na mfuasi mmoja mwanamke mjini Yopa aitwaye Tabitha (kwa Kigiriki ni Dorka, maana yake, Paa). Huyo mwanamke alikuwa akitenda mema na kuwasaidia maskini daima.
Among the disciples at Joppa was a woman named Tabitha - which may be translated Dorcas or "Gazelle" - a woman whose life was full of good works and almsgiving, which she was doing continually.
37 Wakati huo ikawa kwamba aliugua, akafa. Watu wakauosha mwili wake, wakauzika katika chumba ghorofani.
She, as it happened, was taken ill just at that time, and died. After washing her body, they laid it in an upper room.
38 Yopa si mbali sana na Luda; kwa hiyo wafuasi waliposikia kwamba Petro alikuwa Luda, wakawatuma watu wawili kwake na ujumbe: “Njoo kwetu haraka iwezekanavyo.”
And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the entreaty, "Delay not to come to us."
39 Basi, Petro akaenda pamoja nao. Alipofika alipelekwa ghorofani katika kile chumba. Huko wajane wengi walimzunguka Petro wakilia na kumwonyesha makoti na nguo ambazo Dorka alikuwa akitengeneza wakati alipokuwa hai.
So Peter arose and went with them. On his arrival they took him up- stairs, and all the widows stood near him, weeping, and showing him the cloaks and garments which Dorcas used to make, while she was still with them.
40 Petro aliwatoa nje wote, akapiga magoti, akasali. Kisha akamgeukia yule maiti, akasema, “Tabitha, amka” Naye akafumbua macho yake na alipomwona Petro, akaketi.
But Peter put them all out, and kneeled down, and prayed; and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise!" She opened her eyes, and on seeing Peter she sat up.
41 Petro akamsaidia kusimama, halafu akawaita wale watu wa Mungu na wale wajane, akamkabidhi kwao akiwa mzima.
Then he gave her his hand and raised her up, and after calling the saints and the widows, he gave her back to them alive.
42 Habari ya tukio hili ilienea kila mahali huko Yopa, na watu wengi wakamwamini Bwana.
This incident became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 Petro alikaa siku kadhaa huko Yopa, akiishi kwa mtu mmoja mtengenezaji wa ngozi aitwaye Simoni.
Peter stayed for some time in Joppa, lodging in the house of Simon, the tanner.
