Matendo 9
1 Wakati huo Saulo alikuwa akizidisha vitisho vikali vya kuwaua wafuasi wa Bwana. Alikwenda kwa Kuhani Mkuu,
But Saul still breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest, and desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus,
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.
that if he should find any of this persuasion, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 Lakini alipokuwa njiani karibu kufika Damasko, ghafla mwanga kutoka angani ulimwangazia pande zote.
And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven;
4 Akaanguka chini na kusikia sauti ikimwambia: “Saulo, Saulo! Kwa nini unanitesa?”
and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 Naye Saulo akauliza, “Ni nani wewe Bwana?” Na ile sauti ikajibu, “Mimi ni Yesu ambaye wewe unamtesa.
And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
6 Lakini simama sasa, uingie mjini na huko utaambiwa unachopaswa kufanya.”
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee, what thou must do.
7 Wale watu waliokuwa wanasafiri pamoja na Saulo walisimama pale, wakiwa hawana la kusema; walisikia ile sauti lakini hawakumwona mtu.
And the men that went along with him, stood astonished, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
8 Saulo aliinuka, na alipofumbua macho yake hakuweza kuona chochote; hivyo wale watu wakamwongoza kwa kumshika mkono mpaka mjini Damasko.
And Saul rose from the earth, but when he opened his eyes he could not see: so they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus.
9 Saulo alikaa siku tatu bila kuona, na wakati huo hakula au kunywa chochote.
And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
10 Basi, huko Damasko kulikuwa na mfuasi mmoja aitwaye Anania. Bwana akamwambia katika maono, “Anania!” Anania akaitika, “Niko hapa, Bwana.”
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias, and he said, Behold, 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 unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Strait, and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul, of Tarsus:
12 na katika maono ameona mtu aitwaye Anania akiingia ndani na kumwekea mikono ili apate kuona tena.”
for behold he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand upon him, that he might recover 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.
And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much mischief he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 Na amekuja hapa akiwa na mamlaka kutoka kwa makuhani wakuu kuwatia nguvuni wote wanaoomba kwa jina lako.”
and here too he hath authority from the chief priests to apprehend all that 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.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 Mimi mwenyewe nitamwonyesha mengi yatakayomlazimu kuteswa kwa ajili ya jina langu.”
for I will shew him how great sufferings he must endure for 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 Ananias went away and came into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Spirit."
18 Mara vitu kama magamba vikaanguka kutoka macho ya Saulo, akaweza kuona tena. Akasimama, akabatizwa.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales; and he instantly recovered his sight, and arose and was baptized.
19 Na baada ya kula chakula, nguvu zake zikamrudia. Saulo alikaa siku chache pamoja na wafuasi huko Damasko.
And when he had taken some nourishment, he was strengthened. Now Saul was with the disciples at Damascus for some time.
20 Mara alianza kuhubiri katika masunagogi kwamba Yesu ni Mwana wa Mungu.
And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is 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!”
But all that heard him, were amazed, and said, Is not this he that persecuted those in Jerusalem who called on this name, and came hither for this end, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?
22 Saulo alizidi kupata nguvu, na kwa jinsi alivyothibitisha wazi kwamba Yesu ndiye Kristo, Wayahudi wa huko Damasko walivurugika kabisa.
But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
23 Baada ya siku nyingi kupita, Wayahudi walikusanyika na kufanya mpango wa kumwua Saulo.
And after a considerable time, the Jews conspired to kill him:
24 Lakini Saulo alipata habari ya mpango huo. Usiku na mchana walilinda milango ya kuingia mjini ili wapate kumwua.
but Saul was apprised of their design. And they watched the gates day and night, to make away with him:
25 Lakini wakati wa usiku wanafunzi wake walimchukua, wakamteremsha chini ndani ya kapu kubwa kwa kupitia nafasi iliyokuwako ukutani.
but the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall, in a basket.
26 Saulo alipofika Yerusalemu alijaribu kujiunga na wale wanafunzi. Lakini wote walimwogopa, na hawakuweza kuamini kwamba yeye amekuwa mfuasi.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing 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 and brought him to the apostles, and related to them, how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him; and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 Basi, Saulo alikaa pamoja nao, akatembelea Yerusalemu yote akihubiri neno la Bwana bila hofu.
And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem, and preaching openly in the name of the Lord Jesus:
29 Pia aliongea na kubishana na Wayahudi wasemao Kigiriki, lakini wao walijaribu kumwua.
and he talked and disputed with the Hellenists, who attempted to kill him:
30 Wale ndugu walipogundua jambo hilo walimchukua Saulo, wakampeleka Kaisarea, wakamwacha aende zake Tarso.
but when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away 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.
Then the churches throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, had rest, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord; and through the consolation of the holy Spirit were multiplied.
32 Petro alipokuwa anasafirisafiri kila mahali alifika pia kwa watu wa Mungu waliokuwa wanaishi Luda.
And it came to pass that as Peter was going through all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.
33 Huko alimkuta mtu mmoja aitwaye Enea ambaye kwa muda wa miaka minane alikuwa amelala kitandani kwa sababu alikuwa amepooza.
And there he found a man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, with the palsy.
34 Basi, Petro akamwambia, “Enea, Yesu Kristo anakuponya. Amka utandike kitanda chako.” Enea akaamka mara.
And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus the Messiah, healeth thee. Arise, and make thy bed. And he rose up immediately.
35 Wakazi wote wa Luda na Saroni walimwona Enea, na wote wakamgeukia Bwana.
And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Saron saw him, and 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.
And there was at Joppa a certain female disciple named Tabitha, who by interpretation is called in Greek Dorcas: and she was full of good works and alms-deeds.
37 Wakati huo ikawa kwamba aliugua, akafa. Watu wakauosha mwili wake, wakauzika katika chumba ghorofani.
And it happened, about the same time, that she fell sick and died: and when they had washed her they laid her out in an upper chamber.
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 to Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter was there sent two men to him, intreating him that he would not delay to come to them.
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.
Then Peter arose, and went with them: and when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood round him weeping, and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made when she was 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, putting them all out, kneeled down and prayed: and then turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 Petro akamsaidia kusimama, halafu akawaita wale watu wa Mungu na wale wajane, akamkabidhi kwao akiwa mzima.
And giving her his hand he raised her up, and calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.
42 Habari ya tukio hili ilienea kila mahali huko Yopa, na watu wengi wakamwamini Bwana.
And it was soon known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
43 Petro alikaa siku kadhaa huko Yopa, akiishi kwa mtu mmoja mtengenezaji wa ngozi aitwaye Simoni.
And he staid many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
