Matendo 15
1 Basi, watu wengine walifika Antiokia kutoka Yudea wakaanza kuwafundisha wale ndugu wakisema, “Kama hamtatahiriwa kufuatana na mapokeo ya Sheria ya Mose, hamtaweza kuokolewa.”
Then some men arrived from Judea who started teaching the believers, “Unless you're circumcised according to the rules set down by Moses, you can't be saved.”
2 Jambo hili lilisababisha ubishi mkubwa, na baada ya Paulo na Barnaba kujadiliana nao, ikaamuliwa Paulo na Barnaba pamoja na waumini kadhaa wa lile kanisa la Antiokia waende Yerusalemu kuwaona wale mitume na wazee kuhusu jambo hilo.
Paul and Barnabas had many arguments and debates with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go to Jerusalem and talk to the apostles and leaders there about this issue.
3 Basi, kanisa liliwaaga, nao walipokuwa wanapitia Foinike na Samaria waliwaeleza watu jinsi mataifa mengine yalivyomgeukia Mungu. Habari hizo zikawafurahisha sana ndugu hao wote.
The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they explained how foreigners were being converted, which made all the believers very happy.
4 Walipofika Yerusalemu walikaribishwa na kanisa, mitume na wazee; nao wakawapa taarifa juu ya yote Mungu aliyoyafanya pamoja nao.
When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church members, the apostles, and the elders. They explained everything God had done through them.
5 Lakini waumini wengine waliokuwa wa kikundi cha Mafarisayo walisimama, wakasema, “Ni lazima watu wa mataifa mengine watahiriwe na kufundishwa kuifuata Sheria ya Mose.”
But they were opposed by some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee faction. They said, “These converts have to be circumcised, and instructed to observe the law of Moses.”
6 Basi, mitume na wazee walifanya mkutano maalum wa kuchunguza jambo hilo.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 Baada ya majadiliano marefu, Petro alisimama, akasema, “Ndugu zangu, ninyi mnafahamu kwamba hapo awali Mungu alipenda kunichagua mimi miongoni mwenu niihubiri Habari Njema, ili watu wa mataifa wapate kusikia na kuamini.
After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me from among you so that the foreigners could hear the message of good news and trust in Jesus.
8 Naye Mungu anayejua mioyo ya watu, alithibitisha kwamba amewakubali kwa kuwapa nao Roho Mtakatifu kama alivyotupa sisi.
God, who knows thewhat we're thinking, has shown that he accepts them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
9 Hakufanya ubaguzi wowote kati yetu na wao; aliitakasa mioyo yao kwa imani.
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
10 Sasa basi, kwa nini kumjaribu Mungu kwa kuwatwika hao waumini mzigo ambao wala babu zetu, wala sisi hatukuweza kuubeba?
So why do you want to oppose God and put a burden on the believers that our fathers weren't able to bear, and we can't either?
11 Isiwe hivyo, ila tunaamini kwamba, sisi kama vile wao, tunaokolewa kwa njia ya neema ya Bwana Yesu.”
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
12 Kikundi chote kilikaa kimya, kikawasikiliza Barnaba na Paulo wakieleza miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu alitenda kwa mikono yao kati ya watu wa mataifa mengine.
Everyone listened attentively to Barnabas and Paul as they explained the miraculous signs that God had performed through them among the foreigners.
13 Walipomaliza kuongea, Yakobo alianza kusema: “Ndugu zangu, nisikilizeni!
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simoni ameeleza jinsi Mungu hapo awali alivyojishughulisha na watu wa mataifa mengine, akachagua baadhi yao wawe watu wake.
Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.
15 Jambo hili ni sawa kabisa na maneno ya manabii, kama Maandiko Matakatifu yasemavyo:
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 Baada ya mambo haya nitarudi. Nitaijenga tena ile nyumba ya Daudi iliyoanguka; nitayatengeneza magofu yake na kuijenga tena.
‘In the future I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen house of David; I will rebuild its ruins and set it straight.
17 Hapo watu wengine wote, watu wa mataifa yote niliowaita wawe wangu, watamtafuta Bwana.
I will do this so that those who are left may come to the Lord, including the foreigners who call on my name.
This is what the Lord says, who revealed these things long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 “Kwa hiyo, uamuzi wangu ni huu: tusiwataabishe watu wa mataifa wanomgeukia Mungu.
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn to God.
20 Bali tuwapelekee barua kuwaambia wasile vyakula vilivyotiwa najisi kwa kutambikiwa sanamu za miungu; wajiepushe na uasherati; wasile mnyama yeyote aliyenyongwa, na wasinywe damu.
We should write to them and tell them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat of animals that have been strangled, and from consuming blood.
21 Kwa maana kwa muda mrefu maneno ya Mose yamekuwa yakihubiriwa katika kila mji na kusomwa katika masunagogi yote kila siku ya Sabato.”
For the law of Moses has been taught in every town for a long, long time—it's read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Mitume, wazee na kanisa lote waliamua kuwachagua watu fulani miongoni mwao na kuwatuma Antiokia pamoja na Paulo na Barnaba. Basi, wakamchagua Yuda aitwaye pia Barsaba, na Sila ambao wote walikuwa wanajulikana zaidi kati ya ndugu.
Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided it would be good to choose some representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers,
23 Wakawapa barua hii: “Sisi mitume na wazee, ndugu zenu, tunawasalimuni ninyi ndugu wa mataifa mengine mlioko huko Antiokia, Siria na Kilikia.
and sent them with this letter: “Greetings from us, the apostles and elders and brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
24 Tumesikia kwamba watu wengine kutoka huku kwetu waliwavurugeni kwa maneno yao, wakaitia mioyo yenu katika wasiwasi. Lakini wamefanya hivyo bila ya idhini yoyote kutoka kwetu.
We have heard that some from our group have confused you with their teachings, causing you trouble. We certainly didn't tell them to do this!
25 Hivyo, tumeamua kwa pamoja kuwachagua watu kadhaa na kuwatuma kwenu pamoja na wapenzi wetu Barnaba na Paulo,
So we have agreed to choose some representatives and send them to you together with our much-loved brothers Barnabas and Paul,
26 ambao wamehatarisha maisha yao kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Kwa hiyo, tunawatuma Yuda na Sila kwenu; hawa watawaambieni wao wenyewe haya tuliyoandika.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 Basi, Roho Mtakatifu na sisi tumekubali tusiwatwike mzigo zaidi ya mambo haya muhimu:
It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any heavier burden than these important requirements.
29 Msile vyakula vilivyotambikiwa sanamu; msinywe damu; msile nyama ya mnyama aliyenyongwa; na mjiepushe na uasherati. Mtakuwa mmefanya vema kama mkiepa kufanya mambo hayo. Wasalaam!”
You should avoid: anything sacrificed to idols; blood; meat from strangled animals; and sexual immorality. You will do well to observe these requirements. God bless you.”
30 Baada ya kuwaaga, hao wajumbe walielekea Antiokia ambako waliita mkutano wa waumini, wakawapa hiyo barua.
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 Walipoisoma hiyo barua, maneno yake yaliwatia moyo, wakafurahi sana.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Yuda na Sila, ambao nao walikuwa manabii, walizungumza na hao ndugu kwa muda mrefu wakiwatia moyo na kuwaimarisha.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 Baada ya kukaa huko kwa muda fulani, ndugu wa Antiokia waliwaaga wakiwatakia amani, kisha wakarudi kwa wale waliokuwa wamewatuma.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
34 Lakini Sila aliamua kubaki.
35 Paulo na Barnaba walibaki huko Antiokia kwa muda; wakafundisha na kuhubiri neno la Bwana, pamoja na watu wengine wengi.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 Baada ya siku kadhaa, Paulo alimwambia Barnaba, “Turudi tukawatembelee wale ndugu katika kila mji tulikolihubiri neno la Bwana tukajionee jinsi wanavyoendelea.”
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the believers in every town where we shared the word of the Lord, and see how they're doing.”
37 Barnaba alitaka wamchukue pia Yohane aitwaye Marko.
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
38 Lakini Paulo hakupendelea kumchukua Marko, ambaye awali aliwaacha kule Pamfulia na kukataa kushiriki katika kazi yao.
But Paul didn't think it was a good idea to take him with them, since he'd left them in Pamphylia and hadn't continued working with them.
39 Basi kukatokea ubishi mkali kati yao, na wakaachana. Barnaba akamchukua Marko, wakapanda meli kwenda Kupro.
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 Naye Paulo akamchagua Sila, na baada ya ndugu wa mahali hapo kumweka chini ya ulinzi wa neema ya Bwana, akaondoka.
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 Katika safari hiyo alipitia Siria na Kilikia akiyaimarisha makanisa.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
