Matendo 21

Safari ya Paulo kwenda Yerusalemu

1 Tulipokwisha agana nao, tulipanda meli tukaenda moja kwa moja mpaka Kosi. Kesho yake tulifika Rode, na kutoka huko tulikwenda Patara. 2 Huko, tulikuta meli iliyokuwa inakwenda Foinike, hivyo tulipanda, tukasafiri. 3 Baada ya kufika mahali ambapo tuliweza kuona Kupro, tulipitia upande wake wa kusini tukaelekea Siria. Tulitia nanga katika mji wa Tiro ambapo ile meli ilikuwa ipakuliwe shehena yake. 4 Tulikuta waumini huko, tukakaa pamoja nao kwa muda wa juma moja. Waumini hao wakawa wanaongea kwa nguvu ya Roho, wakamwambia Paulo asiende Yerusalemu. 5 Lakini muda wetu ulipokwisha tuliondoka. Wote pamoja na wanawake na watoto wao walitusindikiza mpaka nje ya mji. Tulipofika pwani, sote tulipiga magoti tukasali. 6 Kisha tuliagana; sisi tukapanda meli, nao wakarudi makwao.

7 Sisi tuliendelea na safari yetu kutoka Tiro tukafika Tolemai ambapo tuliwasalimu ndugu zetu, tukakaa nao siku moja. 8 Kesho yake tuliondoka tukaenda Kaisarea. Huko tulikwenda nyumbani kwa mhubiri Filipo. Yeye alikuwa mmoja wa wale saba waliochaguliwa kule Yerusalemu. 9 Alikuwa na binti wanne ambao walikuwa na kipaji cha unabii. 10 Baada ya kukaa huko siku kadhaa, nabii mmoja aitwaye Agabo alifika kutoka Yudea. 11 Alitujia, akachukua mkanda wa Paulo, akajifunga mikono na miguu, akasema, “Roho Mtakatifu asema hivi: ‘Wayahudi kule Yerusalemu watamfunga namna hii mtu mwenye mkanda huu na kumtia mikononi mwa watu wa mataifa.’”

12 Tuliposikia hayo, sisi na wale watu wengine waliokuwa hapo tulimsihi Paulo asiende Yerusalemu. 13 Lakini yeye alijibu, “Mnataka kufanya nini? Mnataka kuvunja moyo wangu kwa machozi? Niko tayari siyo tu kutiwa ndani kule Yerusalemu, ila hata kufa kwa ajili ya Bwana Yesu.” 14 Tuliposhindwa kumshawishi tulinyamaza, tukasema tu: “Atakalo Bwana lifanyike!”

15 Baada ya kukaa pale kwa muda, tulifunga mizigo yetu, tukaendelea na safari kwenda Yerusalemu. 16 Baadhi ya wale wafuasi wa Kaisarea walikwenda pamoja nasi, wakatupeleka nyumbani kwa Mnasoni ambaye tulikuwa tunakwenda kukaa naye kwa muda. Mnasoni alikuwa mwenyeji wa Kupro na alikuwa amekuwa mwaamini kwa siku nyingi.

Paulo anakwenda kumwamkia Yakobo

17 Tulipofika Yerusalemu, ndugu waumini walitupokea vizuri sana. 18 Kesho yake Paulo alikwenda pamoja nasi kumwamkia Yakobo, na wazee wote wa kanisa walikuwapo pia. 19 Baada ya kuwasalimu, Paulo aliwapa taarifa kamili kuhusu yote Mungu aliyokuwa ametenda kati ya watu wa mataifa kwa njia ya utumishi wake. 20 Waliposikia hayo, walimtukuza Mungu. Kisha wakamwambia Paulo, “Ndugu, unaweza kuona kwamba kuna maelfu ya Wayahudi ambao sasa wamekuwa waumini na wote hao wanazingatia sheria. 21 Wamepata habari zako kwamba umekuwa ukiwafundisha Wayahudi wanaoishi miongoni mwa watu wa mataifa mengine kuwa wasiijali sheria, wasiwatahiri watoto wao na kwamba wasizifuate mila za Wayahudi. 22 Sasa, mambo yatakuwaje? Ni dhahiri kuwa watapata habari kwamba umekwisha wasili hapa. 23 Basi, fanya kama tunavyokushauri. Tunao hapa watu wanne ambao wameweka nadhiri. 24 Jiunge nao katika ibada ya kujitakasa, ukalipe na gharama zinazohusika, kisha wanyolewe nywele zao. Hivyo watu wote watatambua kwamba habari zile walizoambiwa juu yako hazina msingi wowote, na kwamba wewe binafsi bado unaishi kufuatana na maagizo ya sheria za Mose. 25 Kuhusu wale watu wa mataifa mengine ambao wamekuwa waumini, tumekwisha wapelekea barua tukiwaambia mambo tuliyoamua: Wasile chochote kilichotambikiwa miungu ya uongo, wasinywe damu, wasile nyama ya mnyama aliyenyongwa, na wajiepushe na uasherati.” 26 Basi, kesho yake Paulo aliwachukua wale watu akafanya ibada ya kujitakasa pamoja nao. Kisha akaingia hekaluni kutoa taarifa kuhusu mwisho wa siku za kujitakasa na kuhusu tambiko itakayotolewa kwa ajili ya kila mmoja wao.

Paulo anatiwa nguvuni ndani ya hekalu

27 Wakati siku hizo saba zilipokaribia kuisha, Wayahudi waliokuwa wametoka katika mkoa wa Asia walimwona Paulo hekaluni. Basi, wakachochea hasira katika kundi lote la watu, wakamtia nguvuni 28 wakipiga kelele: “Wananchi wa Israeli, msaada, msaada! Huyu ndiye yule mtu anayewafundisha watu kila mahali mambo yanayopinga watu wa Israeli, yanayopinga sheria ya Mose na mahali hapa patakatifu. Hata sasa amewaingiza watu wa mataifa mengine hekaluni na kupatia unajisi mahali hapa patakatifu.” 29 Sababu ya kusema hivyo ni kwamba walikuwa wamemwona Trofimo, mwenyeji wa Efeso, akiwa pamoja na Paulo mjini, wakadhani kwamba Paulo alikuwa amemwingiza hekaluni.

30 Mji wote ulienea ghasia; watu wakaja kutoka pande zote, wakamkamata Paulo, wakamburuta, wakamtoa nje ya hekalu, na papo hapo milango ya hekalu ikafungwa. 31 Walikuwa tayari kumwua, lakini habari zilimfikia mkuu wa jeshi la Kiroma kuwa Yerusalemu yote ilikuwa imejaa ghasia. 32 Mara, mkuu wa jeshi akawachukua askari na jemadari, akalikabili lile kundi la watu. Nao walipomwona mkuu wa jeshi na askari, wakaacha kumpiga Paulo. 33 Mkuu wa jeshi alimwendea Paulo, akamtia nguvuni na kuamuru afungwe minyororo miwili. Kisha akauliza, “Ni mtu gani huyu, na amefanya nini?” 34 Wengine katika lile kundi la watu walikuwa wanapayuka kitu hiki na wengine kitu kingine. Kwa sababu ya ghasia hiyo, mkuu wa jeshi hakufaulu kujua kisa kamili. Hivyo, aliamuru watu wake wampeleke Paulo ndani ya ngome. 35 Paulo alipofika kwenye ngazi, askari walilazimika kumbeba kwa sababu ya fujo za watu. 36 Kwa maana watu kundi kubwa walimfuata wakipiga kelele, “Mwulie mbali!”

Paulo anajitetea

37 Walipokuwa wanamwingiza ndani ya ngome, Paulo alimwomba mkuu wa jeshi akisema, “Naweza kukuambia kitu?” Yule mkuu wa jeshi akamjibu, “Je, unajua Kigiriki? 38 Kwani wewe si yule Mmisri ambaye hivi majuzi alianzisha uasi na kuwaongoza majahili 4,000 hadi jangwani?” 39 Paulo akajibu, “Mimi ni Myahudi, mzaliwa wa Tarso katika Kilikia; mimi ni raia wa mji maarufu. Tafadhali, niruhusu niongee na watu.” 40 Yule mkuu wa jeshi akamruhusu. Hivyo Paulo alisimama juu ya ngazi, akawapungia mkono wale watu, na walipokaa kimya, akaanza kuongea nao kwa Kiebrania:

Acts 21

1 And when it came to pass that were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:2 and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;6 and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.8 And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.11 And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.15 And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:21 and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them;24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.25 But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.27 And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,28 crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place.29 For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.32 And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.33 Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?38 Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?39 But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,