Baada ya siku tano, Anania, Kuhani Mkuu, akatelemka na baadhi ya wazee pamoja naye, na msemi mmoja, Tertulo, nao wakamweleza liwali habari za Paulo.
After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
Naye alipoitwa, Tertulo akaanza kumshitaki, akisema, Kwa kuwa mnapata amani nyingi chini yako, Feliki mtukufu, na kwa maangalizi yako mambo mabaya yanatengenezwa kwa ajili ya taifa hili,
When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,
basi tunayapokea kila wakati na kila mahali, kwa shukrani yote.
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
Lakini nisikuudhi zaidi, nakusihi utusikilize maneno machache kwa fadhili zako.
But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.
Kwa maana tumemwona mtu huyu mkorofi, mwanzilishi wa fitina katika Wayahudi wote duniani, tena ni kichwa cha madhehebu ya Wanazorayo.
For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Na tena alijaribu kulitia hekalu unajisi; tukamkamata; [tukataka kumhukumu kwa sheria yetu.
He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.{TR adds "We wanted to judge him according to our law,"}
Lakini Lisia jemadari akafika akamwondoa mikononi mwetu kwa nguvu,
{TR adds "but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,"}
Akawaamuru wale waliomshitaki waje kwako.] Wewe mwenyewe kwa kumwuliza-uliza utaweza kupata habari ya mambo yale yote tunayomshitaki sisi.
{TR adds "commanding his accusers to come to you."}By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."
Wayahudi nao wakamshitaki, wakisema ya kuwa ndivyo yalivyo.
The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
Na liwali alipompungia mkono ili anene, Paulo akajibu, Kwa kuwa ninajua ya kwamba wewe umekuwa mwamuzi wa taifa hili kwa muda wa miaka mingi, najitetea mwenyewe kwa moyo wa furaha.
When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
Maana waweza kujua ya kuwa hazijapita siku zaidi ya kumi na mbili tangu nilipopanda kwenda Yerusalemu ili kuabudu.
seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
Watu hawa hawakuniona ndani ya hekalu, nikihojiana na mtu, au kufanya fujo katika mkutano, wala katika masinagogi wala ndani ya mji.
In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
Wala hawawezi kuyahakikisha mambo haya wanayonishitaki sasa.
Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
Ila neno hili naungama kwako ya kwamba kwa Njia ile ambayo waiita uzushi, ndivyo ninavyomwabudu Mungu wa baba zetu, nikiyaamini yote yanayopatana na torati na yaliyoandikwa katika vyuo vya manabii.
But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
Nina tumaini kwa Mungu, ambalo hata hao nao wanalitazamia, ya kwamba kutakuwa na ufufuo wa wafu, wenye haki na wasio haki pia.
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Nami ninajizoeza katika neno hili niwe na dhamiri isiyo na hatia mbele za Mungu na mbele ya watu siku zote.
Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
Baada ya miaka mingi nalifika niwaletee watu wa taifa langu sadaka na matoleo.
Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;
Wakaniona ndani ya hekalu nikishughulika na mambo haya, hali nimetakaswa, wala sikuwa na mkutano wala ghasia; lakini walikuwako baadhi ya Wayahudi waliotoka Asia,
amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
ambao imewapasa hao kuwapo hapa mbele yako na kunishitaki, kama wana neno lo lote juu yangu.
They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
Au watu hawa wenyewe na waseme, ni kosa gani waliloliona kwangu niliposimama mbele ya baraza,
Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,
isipokuwa kwa ajili ya sauti hii moja, nilipolia nikisimama katikati yao, na kusema, Kwa ajili ya ufufuo wa wafu ninahukumiwa mbele yenu hivi leo.
unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'"
Basi Feliki aliwaahirisha, kwa sababu alijua habari za Njia ile kwa usahihi zaidi, akasema, Lisia jemadari atakapotelemka nitakata maneno yenu.
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."
Akamwamuru yule akida kwamba Paulo alindwe; ila awe na nafasi, wala asimkataze mmojawapo wa rafiki zake kumtumikia.
He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
Baada ya siku kadha wa kadha, Feliki akafika pamoja na Drusila mkewe aliyekuwa Myahudi, akatuma kumwita Paulo akamsikiliza habari za imani iliyo kwa Kristo Yesu.
But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Na Paulo alipokuwa akitoa hoja zake katika habari ya haki, na kuwa na kiasi, na hukumu itakayokuja, Feliki akafanya hofu akajibu, Sasa enenda zako, nami nikipata nafasi nitakuita.
As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."
Pamoja na hayo alitaraji kwamba atapewa fedha na Paulo; kwa hiyo alimwita mara nyingi akaongea naye.
Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
Na miaka miwili ilipotimia, Feliki akampokea Porkio Festo atawale badala yake. Na Feliki, akitaka kuwafanyia Wayahudi fadhili, akamwacha Paulo amefungwa.
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.