Matendo 28
1 Baada ya kufika nchi kavu salama, ndipo tukafahamu kwamba jina la kile kisiwa ni Malta.
Our lives having been thus preserved, we discovered that the island was called Malta.
2 Wenyeji wa kile kisiwa wakatufanyia ukarimu usio wa kawaida. Waliwasha moto na kutukaribisha sisi sote kwa sababu mvua ilikuwa inanyesha na kulikuwa na baridi.
The strange-speaking natives showed us remarkable kindness, for they lighted a fire and made us all welcome because of the pelting rain and the cold.
3 Paulo alikuwa amekusanya mzigo wa kuni na alipokuwa anaweka kwenye moto kwa ajili ya joto, nyoka mwenye sumu akatoka humo na kujisokotea mkononi mwake.
Now, when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and had thrown them on the fire, a viper, driven by the heat, came out and fastened itself on his hand.
4 Wale wenyeji wa kile kisiwa walipomwona yule nyoka akiningʼinia mkononi mwa Paulo, wakaambiana, “Huyu mtu lazima awe ni muuaji, ingawa ameokoka kutoka baharini, haki haijamwacha aishi.”
When the natives saw the creature hanging to his hand, they said to one another, "Beyond doubt this man is a murderer, for, though saved from the sea, unerring Justice does not permit him to live."
5 Lakini Paulo akamkungʼutia yule nyoka ndani ya moto wala yeye hakupata madhara yoyote.
He, however, shook the reptile off into the fire and was unhurt.
6 Watu walikuwa wanangoja avimbe au aanguke ghafula na kufa. Lakini baada ya kungoja kwa muda mrefu na kuona kwamba hakuna chochote kisicho cha kawaida kilichomtokea, wakabadili mawazo yao na kuanza kusema kwamba yeye ni mungu.
They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Basi karibu na sehemu ile, palikuwa na shamba kubwa la mtu mmoja kiongozi wa kile kisiwa, aliyeitwa Publio. Alitupokea na akatuhudumia kwa ukarimu mkubwa kwa muda wa siku tatu.
Now in the same part of the island there were estates belonging to the Governor, whose name was Publius. He welcomed us to his house, and for three days generously made us his guests.
8 Baba yake Publio alikuwa mgonjwa kitandani, akiwa anaumwa homa na kuhara damu. Paulo akaingia ndani ili kumwona na baada ya maombi, akaweka mikono juu yake na kumponya.
It happened, however, that his father was lying ill of dysentery aggravated by attacks of fever; so Paul went to see him, and, after praying, laid his hands on him and cured him.
9 Jambo hili lilipotukia, watu wote wa kisiwa kile waliokuwa wagonjwa wakaja, nao wakaponywa.
After this, all the other sick people in the island came and were cured.
10 Wakatupa heshima nyingi, nasi tulipokuwa tayari kusafiri kwa njia ya bahari, wakapakia melini vitu vyote tulivyokuwa tunavihitaji.
They also loaded us with honours, and when at last we sailed they put supplies on board for us.
11 Miezi mitatu baadaye tukaanza safari kwa meli iliyokuwa imetia nanga kwenye kisiwa hicho kwa ajili ya majira ya baridi. Hii ilikuwa meli ya Iskanderia yenye alama ya miungu pacha waitwao Kasta na Poluksi.
Three months passed before we set sail in an Alexandrian vessel, called the 'Twin Brothers,' which had wintered at the island.
12 Kituo chetu cha kwanza kilikuwa Sirakusa na tukakaa huko siku tatu.
At Syracuse we put in and stayed for two days.
13 Kisha tukangʼoa nanga, tukafika Regio. Siku iliyofuata, upepo mkali wa kusi ukavuma, na siku ya pili yake tukafika Puteoli.
From there we came round and reached Rhegium; and a day later, a south wind sprang up which brought us by the evening of the next day to Puteoli.
14 Huko tukawakuta ndugu, nasi tukakaribishwa tukae nao kwa siku saba. Hivyo tukaendelea na safari mpaka Rumi.
Here we found brethren, who invited us to remain with them for a week; and so we reached Rome.
15 Ndugu wa huko Rumi waliposikia habari zetu, walikuja mpaka Soko la Apio na mahali paitwapo Mikahawa Mitatu kutulaki. Paulo alipowaona, alimshukuru Mungu akatiwa moyo.
Meanwhile the brethren there, hearing of our movements, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Huts to meet us; and when Paul saw them he thanked God and felt encouraged.
16 Tulipofika Rumi, Paulo aliruhusiwa kuishi peke yake akiwa na askari wa kumlinda.
Upon our arrival in Rome, Paul received permission to live by himself, guarded by a soldier.
17 Siku tatu baadaye Paulo akawaita pamoja viongozi wa Kiyahudi. Walipokwisha kukusanyika akawaambia, “Ndugu zangu, ingawa sikufanya jambo lolote dhidi ya watu wetu au dhidi ya desturi za baba zetu, lakini nilikamatwa huko Yerusalemu nikakabidhiwa kwa Warumi.
After one complete day he invited the leading men among the Jews to meet him; and, when they were come together, he said to them, "As for me, brethren, although I had done nothing prejudicial to our people or contrary to the customs of our forefathers, I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the power of the Romans.
18 Wao walipokwisha kunihoji, wakataka kuniachia huru kwa sababu hawakuona kosa lolote nililolifanya linalostahili adhabu ya kifo.
They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die.
19 Lakini Wayahudi walipopinga uamuzi huo, nililazimika kukata rufaa kwa Kaisari, ingawa sikuwa na lalamiko lolote juu ya taifa langu.
But, at last, the opposition of the Jews compelled me to appeal to Caesar; not however that I had any charge to bring against my nation.
20 Basi hii ndiyo sababu nimewatumania, ili niseme nanyi. Kwa kuwa ni kwa ajili ya tumaini la Israeli nimefungwa kwa minyororo.”
For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."
21 Wakamjibu, “Hatujapokea barua zozote kutoka Uyahudi zinazokuhusu, wala hapana ndugu yeyote aliyekuja hapa ambaye ametoa taarifa au kuzungumza jambo lolote baya juu yako.
"For our part," they replied, "we have not received any letters from Judaea about you, nor have any of our countrymen come here and reported or stated anything to your disadvantage.
22 Lakini tungependa kusikia kutoka kwako unalofikiri kwa sababu tunajua kwamba kila mahali watu wanazungumza mabaya kuhusu jamii hii.”
But we should be glad to hear from you what it is that you believe; for as for this sect all we know is that it is everywhere spoken against."
23 Baada ya kupanga siku ya kuonana naye, watu wengi wakaja kuanzia asubuhi hadi jioni akawaeleza na kutangaza kuhusu Ufalme wa Mungu akijaribu kuwahadithia juu ya Yesu kutoka Sheria ya Mose na kutoka Manabii.
So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24 Baadhi wakasadiki yale aliyosema, lakini wengine hawakuamini.
Some were convinced; others refused to believe.
25 Hivyo hawakukubaliana, nao walipokuwa wanaondoka, Paulo akatoa kauli moja zaidi: “Roho Mtakatifu alinena kweli na baba zenu aliposema mambo yale yaliyomhusu Bwana Yesu kwa kinywa cha nabii Isaya kwamba:
Unable to agree among themselves, they at last left him, but not before Paul had spoken a parting word to them, saying, "Right well did the Holy Spirit say to your forefathers through the Prophet Isaiah:
26 “‘Nenda kwa watu hawa na useme, “Hakika mtasikiliza lakini hamtaelewa; na pia mtatazama, lakini hamtaona.”
"'Go to this people and tell them, you will hear and hear, and by no means understand; and will look and look, and by no means see.
27 Kwa kuwa mioyo ya watu hawa imekuwa migumu; hawasikii kwa masikio yao, na wamefumba macho yao. Wasije wakaona kwa macho yao, na wakasikiliza kwa masikio yao, wakaelewa kwa mioyo yao, na kugeuka nami nikawaponya.’
For this people's mind has grown callous, their hearing has become dull, and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes, or hearing with their ears, or understanding with their minds, and turning back, so that I might cure them.'
28 “Basi na ijulikane kwenu kwamba, huu wokovu wa Mungu umepelekwa kwa watu wa Mataifa, nao watasikiliza.” [
"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation--God's salvation--has now been sent to the Gentiles, and that they, at any rate, will give heed."
29 Naye akiisha kusema maneno haya, Wayahudi wakaondoka wakiwa na hoja nyingi miongoni mwao.]
30 Kwa miaka miwili mizima Paulo alikaa huko kwa nyumba aliyokuwa amepanga. Akawakaribisha wote waliokwenda kumwona.
After this Paul lived for fully two years in a hired house of his own, receiving all who came to see him.
31 Akahubiri Ufalme wa Mungu na kufundisha mambo yale yaliyomhusu Bwana Yesu Kristo, kwa ujasiri wote na bila kizuizi chochote.
He announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, and taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ without let or hindrance.
