1
Hata siku zile wanafunzi walipokuwa wakiongezeka hesabu yao, palikuwa na manung'uniko ya Wayahudi wa Kiyunani juu ya Waebrania kwa sababu wajane wao walisahauliwa katika huduma ya kila siku.
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.
2
Wale Thenashara wakawaita jamii ya wanafunzi, wakasema, Haipendezi sisi kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumu mezani.
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.
3
Basi ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, walioshuhudiwa kuwa wema, wenye kujawa na Roho, na hekima, ili tuwaweke juu ya jambo hili;
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them
4
na sisi tutadumu katika kuomba na kulihudumia lile Neno.
and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5
Neno hili likapendeza machoni pa mkutano wote; wakamchagua Stefano, mtu aliyejaa imani na Roho Mtakatifu, na Filipo, na Prokoro, na Nikanori, na Timoni, na Parmena, na Nikolao mwongofu wa Antiokia;
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.
6
ambao wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, na walipokwisha kuomba wakaweka mikono yao juu yao.
They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7
Neno la Mungu likaenea; na hesabu ya wanafunzi ikazidi sana katika Yerusalemu; jamii kubwa ya makuhani wakaitii ile Imani.
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.
8
Na Stefano, akijaa neema na uwezo, alikuwa akifanya maajabu na ishara kubwa katika watu.
Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9
Lakini baadhi ya watu wa sinagogi lililoitwa sinagogi la Mahuru, na la Wakirene, na la Waiskanderia, na la wale wa Kilikia na Asia, wakaondoka na kujadiliana na Stefano;
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,
10
lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hiyo hekima na huyo Roho aliyesema naye.
but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
11
Hata wakashawishi watu waliosema, Tumemsikia mtu huyu akinena maneno ya kumtukana Musa na Mungu.
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
12
Wakawataharakisha watu na wazee na waandishi, wakamwendea, wakamkamata, wakampeleka mbele ya baraza.
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,
13
Wakasimamisha mashahidi wa uongo waliosema, Mtu huyu haachi kusema maneno ya kufuru juu ya mahali hapa patakatifu na juu ya torati;
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
14
maana tumemsikia akisema kwamba Yesu huyo Mnazareti atapaharibu mahali hapa, na kuzibadili desturi tulizopewa na Musa.
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15
Watu wote walioketi katika ile baraza wakamkazia macho yao, wakamwona uso wake kuwa kama uso wa malaika.
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.