The Appointment of Stephen
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
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.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them , and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wale Thenashara wakawaita jamii ya wanafunzi, wakasema, Haipendezi sisi kuliacha neno la Mungu na kuhudumu mezani.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Basi ndugu, chagueni watu saba miongoni mwenu, walioshuhudiwa kuwa wema, wenye kujawa na Roho, na hekima, ili tuwaweke juu ya jambo hili;
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
na sisi tutadumu katika kuomba na kulihudumia lile Neno.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
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;
6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
ambao wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, na walipokwisha kuomba wakaweka mikono yao juu yao.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Neno la Mungu likaenea; na hesabu ya wanafunzi ikazidi sana katika Yerusalemu; jamii kubwa ya makuhani wakaitii ile Imani.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Na Stefano, akijaa neema na uwezo, alikuwa akifanya maajabu na ishara kubwa katika watu.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
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;
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
lakini hawakuweza kushindana na hiyo hekima na huyo Roho aliyesema naye.
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Hata wakashawishi watu waliosema, Tumemsikia mtu huyu akinena maneno ya kumtukana Musa na Mungu.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him , and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Wakawataharakisha watu na wazee na waandishi, wakamwendea, wakamkamata, wakampeleka mbele ya baraza.
13 and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Wakasimamisha mashahidi wa uongo waliosema, Mtu huyu haachi kusema maneno ya kufuru juu ya mahali hapa patakatifu na juu ya torati;
14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
maana tumemsikia akisema kwamba Yesu huyo Mnazareti atapaharibu mahali hapa, na kuzibadili desturi tulizopewa na Musa.
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Watu wote walioketi katika ile baraza wakamkazia macho yao, wakamwona uso wake kuwa kama uso wa malaika.
