Matendo 6
Wasaidizi saba wa mitume
1 Baadaye, idadi ya wanafunzi ilipokuwa inazidi kuongezeka, kulitokea manunguniko kati ya waumini walioongea Kigiriki na wale walioongea Kiebrania. Wale walioongea Kigiriki walinungunika kwamba wajane wao walikuwa wanasahauliwa katika ugawaji wa mahitaji ya kila siku. 2 Kwa hiyo, mitume kumi na wawili waliita jumuiya yote ya wanafunzi, wakasema, “Si vizuri sisi tuache kulihubiri neno la Mungu ili tushughulikie ugawaji wa mahitaji. 3 Hivyo, ndugu zetu, chagueni miongoni mwenu watu saba wenye sifa njema, waliojawa na Roho na wenye hekima; nasi tutawakabidhi jukumu hilo. 4 Sisi, lakini, tutashughulika na sala na kazi ya kuhubiri neno la Mungu.”
5 Jambo hilo likaipendeza jumuiya yote ya waumini. Wakawachagua Stefano, mtu mwenye imani kubwa na mwenye kujaa Roho Mtakatifu, Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanori, Timona, Parmena na Nikolao wa Antiokia ambaye wakati mmoja alikuwa ameongokea dini ya Kiyahudi. 6 Wakawaweka mbele ya mitume, nao wakawaombea na kuwawekea mikono.
7 Neno la Mungu likazidi kuenea na idadi ya waumini huko Yerusalemu ikaongezeka zaidi, na kundi kubwa la makuhani wakaipokea imani.
Stefano anatiwa nguvuni
8 Mungu alimjalia Stefano neema tele, akampa nguvu nyingi hata akawa anatenda miujiza na maajabu kati ya watu. 9 Lakini watu fulani wakatokea ili wabishane na Stefano. Baadhi ya watu hao walikuwa wa sunagogi moja lililoitwa “Sunagogi la Watu Huru”, nao walitoka Kurene na Aleksandria; wengine walitoka Kilikia na Asia. 10 Lakini hawakuweza kumshinda kwa sababu ya hekima yake na kwa sababu ya yule Roho aliyemwongoza wakati aliposema. 11 Kwa hiyo waliwahonga watu kadhaa waseme: “Tumemsikia Stefano akisema maneno ya kumkashifu Mose na kumkashifu Mungu.” 12 Kwa namna hiyo, waliwachochea watu, wazee na waalimu wa sheria. Basi, wakamjia Stefano, wakamkamata na kumleta mbele ya Baraza Kuu. 13 Walileta Barazani mashahidi wa uongo ambao walisema, “Mtu huyu haachi kamwe kusema maneno ya kupakashifu mahali hapa patakatifu na sheria ya Mose. 14 Kwa maana tulikwisha msikia akisema eti huyo Yesu wa Nazareti atapaharibu kabisa mahali hapa na kufutilia mbali desturi zile tulizopokea kutoka kwa Mose.” 15 Wote waliokuwa katika kile kikao cha Baraza walimkodolea macho Stefano, wakauona uso wake umekuwa kama wa malaika.
Acts 6
1 Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables.3 Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.4 But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch;6 whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.