Acts 6

1 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

1 Basi ikawa katika siku hizo, wakati idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa ikiongezeka sana, palitokea manungʼuniko kati ya Wayahudi wa Kiyunani, dhidi ya Waebrania kwa sababu wajane wao walisahaulika katika mgawanyo wa chakula wa kila siku.

2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

2 Wale mitume kumi na wawili wakakusanya wanafunzi wote pamoja wakasema, “Haitakuwa vyema sisi kuacha huduma ya neno la Mungu ili kuhudumu mezani.

3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them

3 Kwa hiyo ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, watu wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho Mtakatifu na hekima, ambao tunaweza kuwakabidhi kazi hii,

4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

4 nasi tutatumia muda wetu kuomba na huduma ya neno.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

5 Yale waliyosema yakawapendeza watu wote, nao wakamchagua Stefano (mtu aliyejawa na imani na Roho Mtakatifu) pamoja na Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanori, Timoni, Parmena na Nikolao, mwongofu kutoka Antiokia.

6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

6 Wakawaleta watu hawa mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono juu yao.

7 So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea. Idadi ya wanafunzi ikazidi kuongezeka sana katika Yerusalemu hata makuhani wengi wakaitii ile imani.

8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

8 Stefano, akiwa amejaa neema na nguvu za Mungu, alifanya ishara na miujiza mikubwa miongoni mwa watu.

9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,

9 Hata hivyo, ukainuka upinzani wa watu wa Sinagogi la Watu Huru (kama lilivyokuwa linaitwa), la Wayahudi wa Kirene na wa Iskanderia, na wengine kutoka Kilikia na Asia. Watu hawa wakaanza kupingana na Stefano.

10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

10 Lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hekima yake wala huyo Roho ambaye alisema kwake.

11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

11 Ndipo kwa siri wakawashawishi watu fulani waseme, “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kufuru dhidi ya Mose na dhidi ya Mungu.”

12 So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,

12 Wakawachochea watu, wazee na walimu wa Sheria, nao wakamkamata Stefano wakamfikisha mbele ya baraza.

13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

13 Wakaweka mashahidi wa uongo ambao walishuhudia wakisema, “Mtu huyu kamwe haachi kusema dhidi ya mahali hapa patakatifu na dhidi ya Sheria.

14 For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

14 Kwa maana tumemsikia akisema kwamba Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu mahali patakatifu na kubadili desturi zote tulizopewa na Mose.”

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

15 Watu wote waliokuwa wameketi katika baraza wakimkazia macho Stefano, wakaona uso wake unangʼaa kama uso wa malaika.