Acts 24

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

1 Baada ya siku tano, kuhani mkuu Anania akashuka akiwa amefuatana na baadhi ya wazee pamoja na mwanasheria mmoja aitwaye Tertulo, nao wakaleta mashtaka yao dhidi ya Paulo mbele ya mtawala.

2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.

2 Paulo alipoitwa aingie ndani, Tertulo akaanza kutoa mashtaka akisema, “Mtukufu Feliksi, kwa muda mrefu tumefurahia amani na matengenezo mengi mazuri yamefanywa kwa ajili ya watu hawa kwa sababu ya upeo wako wa kuona mambo ya mbele.

3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

3 Wakati wote na kila mahali, kwa namna yoyote, mtukufu sana Feliksi, tumeyapokea mambo haya yote kwa shukrani nyingi.

4 But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

4 Lakini nisije nikakuchosha zaidi, ningekuomba kwa hisani yako utusikilize kwa kifupi.

5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

5 “Tumemwona mtu huyu kuwa ni msumbufu, anayechochea ghasia miongoni mwa Wayahudi duniani pote. Yeye ndiye kiongozi wa dhehebu la Wanazarayo,

6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

6 na hata amejaribu kulinajisi Hekalu, hivyo tukamkamata; [tukataka kumhukumu kufuatana na sheria zetu.

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7 Lakini jemadari Lisia alitujia na nguvu nyingi, akamwondoa mikononi mwetu,

8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

8 akiwaamuru washtaki wake waje mbele yako: ili] kwa kumchunguza wewe mwenyewe unaweza kujua kutoka kwake mambo yote tunayomshtaki kwayo.”

9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

9 Pia wale Wayahudi wakaunga mkono wakithibitisha kuwa mashtaka yote haya ni kweli.

10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

10 Mtawala Feliksi alipompungia Paulo mkono ili ajitetee, yeye akajibu, “Najua kwamba wewe umekuwa hakimu katika taifa hili kwa miaka mingi, hivyo natoa utetezi wangu kwa furaha.

11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

11 Unaweza kuhakikisha kwa urahisi kuwa hazijapita zaidi ya siku kumi na mbili tangu nilipopanda kwenda Yerusalemu kuabudu.

12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

12 Hawa wanaonishtaki hawakunikuta nikibishana na mtu yeyote Hekaluni au kuchochea umati wa watu katika sinagogi au mahali pengine popote mjini.

13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

13 Wala hawawezi kabisa kukuthibitishia mashtaka haya wanayonishtaki kwayo.

14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

14 Lakini, ninakubali kwamba mimi namwabudu Mungu wa baba zetu, mfuasi wa Njia, ile ambayo wao wanaiita dhehebu. Ninaamini kila kitu kinachokubaliana na Sheria na kile kilichoandikwa katika Manabii,

15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

15 nami ninalo tumaini kwa Mungu, ambalo hata wao wenyewe wanalikubali kwamba kutakuwa na ufufuo wa wafu, kwa wenye haki na wasio na haki.

16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

16 Kwa hiyo ninajitahidi siku zote kuwa na dhamiri safi mbele za Mungu na mbele za wanadamu.

17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

17 “Basi, baada ya kutokuwepo kwa miaka mingi nilikuja Yerusalemu ili kuwaletea watu wangu msaada kwa ajili ya maskini na kutoa dhabihu.

18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia

18 Nilikuwa nimeshatakaswa kwa taratibu za kiibada waliponikuta Hekaluni nikifanya mambo haya. Hapakuwa na umati wa watu, pamoja nami wala aliyehusika kwenye fujo yoyote.

19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

19 Lakini kulikuwa na baadhi ya Wayahudi kutoka Asia, ambao wangelazimika wawepo hapa mbele yako ili watoe mashtaka kama wanalo jambo lolote dhidi yangu.

20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

20 Au, watu hawa walioko hapa waseme ni uhalifu gani walioniona nao waliponisimamisha mbele ya baraza,

21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

21 isipokuwa ni kuhusu jambo hili moja nililopiga kelele mbele yao kwamba, ‘Mimi nashtakiwa mbele yenu leo kwa sababu ya ufufuo wa wafu.’”

22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

22 Basi Feliksi ambaye alikuwa anafahamu vizuri habari za Njia ile, akaahirisha shauri lile kwa maelezo yake akisema, “Wakati jemadari Lisia atakapoteremka huku, nitaamua shauri lako.”

23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

23 Ndipo akaamuru kiongozi wa askari amweke chini ya ulinzi lakini ampe uhuru na kuwaruhusu rafiki zake wamhudumie.

24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

24 Baada ya siku kadhaa, Feliksi alikuja pamoja na Drusila mkewe, ambaye alikuwa Myahudi. Alituma aitiwe Paulo, naye akamsikiliza alipokuwa akinena juu ya imani katika Kristo Yesu.

25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

25 Naye Paulo alipokuwa akinena juu ya haki, kuwa na kiasi na juu ya hukumu ijayo, Feliksi aliingiwa na hofu na kusema, “Hiyo yatosha sasa! Waweza kuondoka. Nitakapokuwa na wasaa nitakuita.”

26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

26 Wakati huo Feliksi alitazamia kwamba Paulo angempa rushwa. Hivyo akawa anamwita mara kwa mara na kuzungumza naye.

27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

27 Baada ya miaka miwili kupita, Porkio Festo akaingia kwenye utawala mahali pa Feliksi, lakini kwa kuwa Feliksi alitaka kuwapendeza Wayahudi, akamwacha Paulo gerezani.