1Basi, watu wengine walifika Antiokia kutoka Yudea wakaanza kuwafundisha wale ndugu wakisema, "Kama hamtatahiriwa kufuatana na mapokeo ya Sheria ya Mose, hamtaweza kuokolewa."
1And certain having come down from Judea, were teaching the brethren — `If ye be not circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye are not able to be saved;`
2Jambo 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.
2there having been, therefore, not a little dissension and disputation to Paul and Barnabas with them, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up unto the apostles and elders to Jerusalem about this question,
3Basi, kanisa liliwaaga, nao walipokuwa wanapitia Foinike na Samaria waliwaeleza watu jinsi mataifa mengine yalivyomgeukia Mungu. Habari hizo zikawafurahisha sana ndugu hao wote.
3they indeed, then, having been sent forward by the assembly, were passing through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations, and they were causing great joy to all the brethren.
4Walipofika Yerusalemu walikaribishwa na kanisa, mitume na wazee; nao wakawapa taarifa juu ya yote Mungu aliyoyafanya pamoja nao.
4And having come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, they declared also as many things as God did with them;
5Lakini waumini wengine waliokuwa wa kikundi cha Mafarisayo walisimama, wakasema, "Ni lazima watu wa mataifa mengine watahiriwe na kufundishwa kuifuata Sheria ya Mose."
5and there rose up certain of those of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying — `It behoveth to circumcise them, to command them also to keep the law of Moses.`
6Basi, mitume na wazee walifanya mkutano maalum wa kuchunguza jambo hilo.
6And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,
7Baada 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.
7and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, `Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;
8Naye Mungu anayejua mioyo ya watu, alithibitisha kwamba amewakubali kwa kuwapa nao Roho Mtakatifu kama alivyotupa sisi.
8and the heart-knowing God did bare them testimony, having given to them the Holy Spirit, even as also to us,
9Hakufanya ubaguzi wowote kati yetu na wao; aliitakasa mioyo yao kwa imani.
9and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;
10Sasa basi, kwa nini kumjaribu Mungu kwa kuwatwika hao waumini mzigo ambao wala babu zetu, wala sisi hatukuweza kuubeba?
10now, therefore, why do ye tempt God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11Isiwe hivyo, ila tunaamini kwamba, sisi kama vile wao, tunaokolewa kwa njia ya neema ya Bwana Yesu."
11but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.`
12Kikundi chote kilikaa kimya, kikawasikiliza Barnaba na Paulo wakieleza miujiza na maajabu ambayo Mungu alitenda kwa mikono yao kati ya watu wa mataifa mengine.
12And all the multitude did keep silence, and were hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring as many signs and wonders as God did among the nations through them;
13Walipomaliza kuongea, Yakobo alianza kusema: "Ndugu zangu, nisikilizeni!
13and after they are silent, James answered, saying, `Men, brethren, hearken to me;
14Simoni ameeleza jinsi Mungu hapo awali alivyojishughulisha na watu wa mataifa mengine, akachagua baadhi yao wawe watu wake.
14Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,
15Jambo hili ni sawa kabisa na maneno ya manabii, kama Maandiko Matakatifu yasemavyo:
15and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it hath been written:
16Baada ya mambo haya nitarudi. Nitaijenga tena ile nyumba ya Daudi iliyoanguka; nitayatengeneza magofu yake na kuijenga tena.
16After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright —
17Hapo watu wengine wote, watu wa mataifa yote niliowaita wawe wangu, watamtafuta Bwana.
17that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name hath been called, saith the Lord, who is doing all these things.
18Ndivyo asemavyo Bwana, aliyefanya jambo hili lijulikane tangu kale.
18`Known from the ages to God are all His works;
19"Kwa hiyo, uamuzi wangu ni huu: tusiwataabishe watu wa mataifa wanomgeukia Mungu.
19wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,
20Bali tuwapelekee barua kuwaambia wasile vyakula vilivyotiwa najisi kwa kutambikiwa sanamu za miungu; wajiepushe na uasherati; wasile mnyama yeyote aliyenyongwa, na wasinywe damu.
20but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;
21Kwa maana kwa muda mrefu maneno ya Mose yamekuwa yakihubiriwa katika kila mji na kusomwa katika masunagogi yote kila siku ya Sabato."
21for Moses from former generations in every city hath those preaching him — in the synagogues every sabbath being read.`
22Mitume, 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.
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, chosen men out of themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren —
23Wakawapa barua hii: "Sisi mitume na wazee, ndugu zenu, tunawasalimuni ninyi ndugu wa mataifa mengine mlioko huko Antiokia, Siria na Kilikia.
23having written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who [are] of the nations, greeting;
24Tumesikia kwamba watu wengine kutoka huku kwetu waliwavurugeni kwa maneno yao, wakaitia mioyo yenu katika wasiwasi. Lakini wamefanya hivyo bila ya idhini yoyote kutoka kwetu.
24seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words, subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did give no charge,
25Hivyo, tumeamua kwa pamoja kuwachagua watu kadhaa na kuwatuma kwenu pamoja na wapenzi wetu Barnaba na Paulo,
25it seemed good to us, having come together with one accord, chosen men to send unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul —
26ambao wamehatarisha maisha yao kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
26men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ —
27Kwa hiyo, tunawatuma Yuda na Sila kwenu; hawa watawaambieni wao wenyewe haya tuliyoandika.
27we have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they by word are telling the same things.
28Basi, Roho Mtakatifu na sisi tumekubali tusiwatwike mzigo zaidi ya mambo haya muhimu:
28`For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:
29Msile vyakula vilivyotambikiwa sanamu; msinywe damu; msile nyama ya mnyama aliyenyongwa; na mjiepushe na uasherati. Mtakuwa mmefanya vema kama mkiepa kufanya mambo hayo. Wasalaam!"
29to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!`
30Baada ya kuwaaga, hao wajumbe walielekea Antiokia ambako waliita mkutano wa waumini, wakawapa hiyo barua.
30They then, indeed, having been let go, went to Antioch, and having brought the multitude together, did deliver the epistle,
31Walipoisoma hiyo barua, maneno yake yaliwatia moyo, wakafurahi sana.
31and they having read, did rejoice for the consolation;
32Yuda na Sila, ambao nao walikuwa manabii, walizungumza na hao ndugu kwa muda mrefu wakiwatia moyo na kuwaimarisha.
32Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,
33Baada ya kukaa huko kwa muda fulani, ndugu wa Antiokia waliwaaga wakiwatakia amani, kisha wakarudi kwa wale waliokuwa wamewatuma.
33and having passed some time, they were let go with peace from the brethren unto the apostles;
34Lakini Sila aliamua kubaki.
34and it seemed good to Silas to remain there still.
35Paulo na Barnaba walibaki huko Antiokia kwa muda; wakafundisha na kuhubiri neno la Bwana, pamoja na watu wengine wengi.
35And Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming good news — with many others also — the word of the Lord;
36Baada ya siku kadhaa, Paulo alimwambia Barnaba, "Turudi tukawatembelee wale ndugu katika kila mji tulikolihubiri neno la Bwana tukajionee jinsi wanavyoendelea."
36and after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, `Having turned back again, we may look after our brethren, in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord — how they are.`
37Barnaba alitaka wamchukue pia Yohane aitwaye Marko.
37And Barnabas counseled to take with [them] John called Mark,
38Lakini Paulo hakupendelea kumchukua Marko, ambaye awali aliwaacha kule Pamfulia na kukataa kushiriki katika kazi yao.
38and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;
39Basi kukatokea ubishi mkali kati yao, na wakaachana. Barnaba akamchukua Marko, wakapanda meli kwenda Kupro.
39there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,
40Naye Paulo akamchagua Sila, na baada ya ndugu wa mahali hapo kumweka chini ya ulinzi wa neema ya Bwana, akaondoka.
40and Paul having chosen Silas, went forth, having been given up to the grace of God by the brethren;
41Katika safari hiyo alipitia Siria na Kilikia akiyaimarisha makanisa.
41and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.