1
Baada ya siku tano, Anania, Kuhani Mkuu, akatelemka na baadhi ya wazee pamoja naye, na msemi mmoja, Tertulo, nao wakamweleza liwali habari za Paulo.
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.
2
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 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.
3
basi tunayapokea kila wakati na kila mahali, kwa shukrani yote.
In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4
Lakini nisikuudhi zaidi, nakusihi utusikilize maneno machache kwa fadhili zako.
But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5
Kwa maana tumemwona mtu huyu mkorofi, mwanzilishi wa fitina katika Wayahudi wote duniani, tena ni kichwa cha madhehebu ya Wanazorayo.
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,
6
Na tena alijaribu kulitia hekalu unajisi; tukamkamata; [tukataka kumhukumu kwa sheria yetu.
and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7
Lakini Lisia jemadari akafika akamwondoa mikononi mwetu kwa nguvu,
8
Akawaamuru wale waliomshitaki waje kwako.] Wewe mwenyewe kwa kumwuliza-uliza utaweza kupata habari ya mambo yale yote tunayomshitaki sisi.
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9
Wayahudi nao wakamshitaki, wakisema ya kuwa ndivyo yalivyo.
The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10
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 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.
11
Maana waweza kujua ya kuwa hazijapita siku zaidi ya kumi na mbili tangu nilipopanda kwenda Yerusalemu ili kuabudu.
You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12
Watu hawa hawakuniona ndani ya hekalu, nikihojiana na mtu, au kufanya fujo katika mkutano, wala katika masinagogi wala ndani ya mji.
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.
13
Wala hawawezi kuyahakikisha mambo haya wanayonishitaki sasa.
Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14
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.
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,
15
Nina tumaini kwa Mungu, ambalo hata hao nao wanalitazamia, ya kwamba kutakuwa na ufufuo wa wafu, wenye haki na wasio haki pia.
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.
16
Nami ninajizoeza katika neno hili niwe na dhamiri isiyo na hatia mbele za Mungu na mbele ya watu siku zote.
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17
Baada ya miaka mingi nalifika niwaletee watu wa taifa langu sadaka na matoleo.
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18
Wakaniona ndani ya hekalu nikishughulika na mambo haya, hali nimetakaswa, wala sikuwa na mkutano wala ghasia; lakini walikuwako baadhi ya Wayahudi waliotoka Asia,
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
19
ambao imewapasa hao kuwapo hapa mbele yako na kunishitaki, kama wana neno lo lote juu yangu.
who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20
Au watu hawa wenyewe na waseme, ni kosa gani waliloliona kwangu niliposimama mbele ya baraza,
Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21
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 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.’”
22
Basi Feliki aliwaahirisha, kwa sababu alijua habari za Njia ile kwa usahihi zaidi, akasema, Lisia jemadari atakapotelemka nitakata maneno yenu.
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23
Akamwamuru yule akida kwamba Paulo alindwe; ila awe na nafasi, wala asimkataze mmojawapo wa rafiki zake kumtumikia.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24
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.
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.
25
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 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.”
26
Pamoja na hayo alitaraji kwamba atapewa fedha na Paulo; kwa hiyo alimwita mara nyingi akaongea naye.
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27
Na miaka miwili ilipotimia, Feliki akampokea Porkio Festo atawale badala yake. Na Feliki, akitaka kuwafanyia Wayahudi fadhili, akamwacha Paulo amefungwa.
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.