IZENZO ZABAPHOSTOLI

1 Encwadini yokuqala engakubhalela yona, Theyofilu, ngachaza zonke izinto uJesu azenza nazifundisa + 2 kwaze kwaba usuku anyuswa ngalo, + ngemva kokuba enikeze iziyalezo ngomoya ongcwele kubaphostoli ayebakhethile. + 3 Ngemva kokuhlupheka kwakhe, waziveza ephila kubo ngobufakazi obuningi obuqand’ ikhanda. + Bambona phakathi nazo zonke izinsuku ezingu-40, ekhuluma ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. + 4 Ngesikhathi ehlangene nabo, wabayala wathi: “Ningahambi eJerusalema, + kodwa qhubekani nilindele lokho uBaba akuthembisile, + enakuzwa ngami; 5 ngoba uJohane, ngempela wabhapathiza ngamanzi, kodwa nina nizobhapathizwa ngomoya ongcwele + ezinsukwini ezingeziningi ngemva kwalokhu.”

6 Ngakho lapho sebehlangene bambuza bathi: “Nkosi, ingabe uzowubuyisela umbuso ku-Israyeli ngalesi sikhathi?” + 7 Wathi kubo: “Akukhona okwenu ukwazi izikhathi noma izinkathi uBaba azishiyele kuye ngokwakhe. *+ 8 Kodwa nina nizokwamukela amandla lapho umoya ongcwele ufika phezu kwenu, + nizoba ofakazi + bami eJerusalema, + kulo lonke elaseJudiya naseSamariya, + nasezingxenyeni ezikude kakhulu* zomhlaba.” + 9 Ngemva kokusho lezi zinto, ngesikhathi besabhekile, waphakanyiselwa phezulu, ifu lamkhuphula wasuka emehlweni abo. + 10 Njengoba begqolozele isibhakabhaka ngesikhathi ehamba, kungazelelwe, kwama amadoda amabili eceleni kwabo egqoke izingubo ezimhlophe, + 11 athi: “Madoda aseGalile, kungani nimile nibheke esibhakabhakeni? Lo Jesu okhushulelwe phezulu esibhakabhakeni esuka kini uyokuza ngendlela efanayo naleyo enimbone eya ngayo esibhakabhakeni.”

12 Babe sebebuyela eJerusalema + besuka entabeni okuthiwa iNtaba Yeminqumo, eseduze kweJerusalema, eqhele ngohambo losuku lwesabatha. 13 Lapho befika, bakhuphukela ekamelweni eliphezulu lapho babehleli khona. Kwakukhona uPetru noJohane noJakobe no-Andreya, uFiliphu noTomase, uBartolomewu noMathewu, uJakobe indodana ka-Alfewu, uSimoni oshisekayo, kanye noJuda indodana kaJakobe. + 14 Bonke laba babephikelela emthandazweni benomgomo ofanayo, kanye nabesifazane abathile + noMariya unina kaJesu kanye nabafowabo. +

15 Phakathi nalezo zinsuku, uPetru wasukuma wama phakathi kwabazalwane (inani* labantu selilonke cishe lalingu-120) wathi: 16 “Madoda, bafowethu, ngoDavide umoya ongcwele washo isiprofetho esimayelana noJuda, kwakudingekile ukuba lowo mBhalo ugcwaliseke. + Lowo Juda nguye owayehola labo ababopha uJesu. + 17 Ngoba wayebalwe phakathi kwethu, + ekhonza kanye nathi. 18 (Ngakho yena kanye lo muntu wathenga isiganga ngenkokhelo yokungalungi, + lapho ewa ngekhanda umzimba wakhe waqhuma,* wonke amathumbu akhe achitheka. + 19 Lokhu kwaziwa yibo bonke abahlala eJerusalema, kangangokuthi leso siganga sabizwa ngolimi lwabo ngokuthi i-A·kelʹda·ma, okuwukuthi, “iSiganga Segazi.”) 20 Ngoba kulotshiwe encwadini yamaHubo ukuthi, ‘Indawo yakhe yokuhlala mayibe incithakalo, makungahlali muntu kuyo,’ + nokuthi, ‘Isikhundla sakhe sokuba umbonisi masithathwe omunye.’ + 21 Ngakho kudingekile ukuba emadodeni ayehamba nathi ngaso sonke isikhathi, lapho iNkosi uJesu yenza imisebenzi yayo* phakathi kwethu, 22 kusukela ekubhapathizweni kwayo nguJohane + kuze kube sosukwini eyakhushulelwa ngalo phezulu isuka kithi, + enye kula madoda ibe ufakazi kanye nathi wokuvuka kwayo.” +

23 Ngakho baphakamisa ukuba kumiswe ababili, uJosefa owayebizwa ngokuthi uBarsaba, owayebuye abizwe ngoJustu, noMathiya. 24 Bathandaza bathi: “Wena Jehova,* owazi izinhliziyo zabo bonke, + bonisa ukuthi iyiphi kula madoda amabili oyikhethile 25 ukuba ithathe indawo yale nkonzo nobuphostoli, leyo uJuda aphambuka kuyo waya endaweni yakhe.” + 26 Ngakho babenzela inkatho, + inkatho yadla uMathiya, wabalwa* kanye nabaphostoli abangu-11.

2 Ngesikhathi usuku loMkhosi WePhentekoste + luqhubeka, bonke babendawonye endaweni efanayo. 2 Kungazelelwe kwezwakala umsindo uvela ezulwini, unjengowesivunguvungu esinamandla, wagcwala yonke indlu ababehlezi kuyo. + 3 Kwabonakala izilimi ezibukeka njengamalangabi omlilo kubo, zasakazeka, ngalunye lwahlala phezu kwalowo nalowo kubo, 4 bonke bagcwala umoya ongcwele, + baqala ukukhuluma ngezilimi ezihlukahlukene, njengoba nje umoya wawubenza bakhulume. +

5 Ngaleso sikhathi eJerusalema kwakuhlala amaJuda ashisekayo evela kuzo zonke izizwe ngaphansi kwezulu. + 6 Ngakho lapho kuzwakala lo msindo, isixuku sabuthana futhi sasididekile, ngoba ngamunye kuso wayebezwa bekhuluma ngolimi lwakhe. 7 Ngempela babemangele kakhulu, bethi: “Bhekani, bonke laba abakhulumayo bangabaseGalile, + akunjalo? 8 Pho kwenzeka kanjani ukuba ngamunye wethu ezwe ulimi lwakhe aluncela ebeleni? 9 AmaParte, amaMede + nama-Elamu, + abakhe eMesophothamiya, eJudiya naseKhaphadosiya, ePhontu nasesifundazweni sase-Asiya, + 10 eFrigiya nasePhamfiliya, eGibhithe nasezifundeni zaseLibhiya ngaseKhurene, nezivakashi ezazivela eRoma, abangamaJuda nabangamaproselithe, + 11 abaseKrethe, nabase-Arabhiya—sibezwa bekhuluma ngezilimi zethu ngezinto ezinhle kakhulu zikaNkulunkulu.” 12 Ngempela, bonke babemangele futhi bedidekile, bethi komunye nomunye: “Isho ukuthini le nto?” 13 Nokho, abanye babahleka bathi: “Basuthi iwayini elimnandi.”*

14 Kodwa uPetru wasukuma nabayiShumi Nanye *+ wakhuluma nabo ngezwi elikhulu wathi: “Madoda aseJudiya nani nonke enihlala eJerusalema, makwazeke lokhu kini futhi niwalalele ngokucophelela amazwi ami. 15 Eqinisweni laba bantu abadakiwe njengoba nina nicabanga, ngoba kuseyihora lesithathu losuku.* 16 Kunalokho, yilokhu okwashiwo ngomprofethi uJoweli: 17 ‘ “Ezinsukwini zokugcina,” kusho uNkulunkulu, “ngiyothululela omunye womoya wami phezu kwayo yonke inyama, amadodana enu namadodakazi enu ayoprofetha, izinsizwa zenu zibone imibono, amaxhegu enu aphuphe amaphupho, + 18 ngalezo zinsuku ngiyothululela omunye womoya wami ngisho nasezigqileni zami zesilisa nezesifazane, ziprofethe. + 19 Ngiyokwenza izimangaliso ezulwini phezulu nezibonakaliso emhlabeni phansi—igazi nomlilo namafu entuthu. 20 Ilanga liyophenduka ubumnyama nenyanga ibe yigazi ngaphambi kokuba usuku lukaJehova* olukhulu nolumangalisayo lufike. 21 Wonke umuntu obiza igama likaJehova* uyosindiswa.” ’ +

22 “Madoda akwa-Israyeli, yizwani la mazwi: UJesu umNazaretha wayengumuntu uNkulunkulu amveza obala kini ngemisebenzi yamandla nezimangaliso nezibonakaliso uNkulunkulu azenza ngaye phakathi kwenu, + njengoba nje nani ngokwenu nazi. 23 Lo muntu, owanikelwa ngokuvumelana nenjongo* nangokwazi kusengaphambili kukaNkulunkulu, + nambophela esigxotsheni ngesandla sabantu abangenamthetho nambulala. + 24 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamvusa + ngokumkhulula emandleni* okufa, ngoba kwakungenakwenzeka ukuba abanjwe yiwo. + 25 Ngoba uDavide uthi ngaye: ‘Ngimgcina ephambi kwami njalo uJehova,* ngoba ungakwesokudla sami ukuze ngingalokothi nginyakaziswe. 26 Ngenxa yalokhu inhliziyo yami yenama nolimi lwami lwajabula kakhulu. Ngiyohlala ethembeni; 27 ngoba ngeke ungishiye* eThuneni,* futhi ngeke umvumele oqotho wakho abone ukonakala. + 28 Ungazisile izindlela zokuphila; uyongenza ngijabule kakhulu uma ungibheka ngomusa.’ +

29 “Madoda, bazalwane, kuvumelekile ukukhuluma nani ngokukhululekile ngoDavide inhloko yomndeni, ukuthi washona, wangcwatshwa, + nethuna lakhe liphakathi kwethu kuze kube namuhla. 30 Ngenxa yokuthi wayengumprofethi, azi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayefunge kuye ukuthi uyobeka oyedwa enzalweni yakhe esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi, + 31 wabona kusengaphambili futhi wakhuluma ngokuvuka kukaKristu, ukuthi akashiywanga eThuneni* nenyama yakhe ayikubonanga ukonakala. *+ 32 UNkulunkulu wamvusa lo Jesu, sonke singofakazi balokho. + 33 Ngakho-ke, ngenxa yokuthi waphakanyiselwa kwesokudla sikaNkulunkulu + futhi wamukela kuBaba umoya ongcwele othenjisiwe, + uthulule lokhu enikubonayo nenikuzwayo. 34 Ngoba uDavide akazange anyukele emazulwini, kodwa yena ngokwakhe uthi, ‘UJehova* wathi eNkosini yami: “Hlala ngakwesokudla sami 35 ngize ngibeke izitha zakho zibe yisenabelo sezinyawo zakho.” ’ + 36 Ngakho, yonke indlu ka-Israyeli mayazi ngokuqinisekile ukuthi uNkulunkulu wamenza iNkosi + noKristu, lo Jesu enambethela esigxotsheni.” +

37 Lapho bekuzwa lokhu, kwaba sengathi bahlabeka enhliziyweni, bathi kuPetru nakubo bonke abanye abaphostoli: “Madoda, bazalwane, yini okufanele siyenze?” 38 UPetru wathi kubo: “Phendukani, + yilowo nalowo kini abhapathizwe + egameni likaJesu Kristu ukuze izono zenu zithethelelwe, + khona-ke nizokwamukela isipho sesihle somoya ongcwele. 39 Ngoba lesi sithembiso + senziwa kini nakubantwana benu, nakubo bonke abakude, bonke labo uJehova* uNkulunkulu wethu angase ababizele kuye.” + 40 Wanikeza ubufakazi obuphelele nangamanye amazwi amaningi, elokhu ebakhuthaza ethi: “Sindiswani kulesi sizukulwane esigwegwile.” + 41 Ngakho labo abamukela izwi lakhe ngenjabulo babhapathizwa, + ngalolo suku kwanezelwa abantu abangaba ngu-3 000. + 42 Babekulangazelela ukuqhubeka befunda kubaphostoli, ukuhlangana ndawonye,* ukudla ndawonye + futhi bephikelela emthandazweni. +

43 Ngempela, bonke abantu baqala ukufikelwa ukwesaba, abaphostoli benza izimangaliso nezibonakaliso eziningi. + 44 Bonke ababa amakholwa babendawonye, bahlanganyela yonke into ndawonye, 45 babethengisa izimpahla zabo + nezindawo, imali abayithole lapho bayabele bonke abantu, kuye ngesidingo somuntu ngamunye. + 46 Usuku nosuku babeba khona njalo ethempelini benenjongo efanayo, babedlela emakhaya ahlukahlukene, babelana ukudla ngenjabulo enkulu nangenhliziyo emsulwa, 47 bedumisa uNkulunkulu futhi bethola umusa kubo bonke abantu. Ngesikhathi esifanayo uJehova* waqhubeka enezela kubo nsuku zonke abasindiswayo. +

3 UPetru noJohane babekhuphukela ethempelini ngehora lokuthandaza, ihora lika-9,* 2 ngaleso sikhathi kwakuthwelwe indoda eyazalwa ilunyonga. Nsuku zonke babeyibeka eduze komnyango wethempeli owawubizwa ngokuthi oMuhle, ukuze icele izipho zesihe kulabo abangena ethempelini. 3 Lapho ibona uPetru noJohane sebezongena ethempelini, yacela izipho zesihe. 4 Kodwa uPetru noJohane bayibuka ngqo, bathi kuyo: “Sibheke.” 5 Ngakho yababukisisa, ilindele ukuthola okuthile kubo. 6 Nokho, uPetru wathi: “Anginalo isiliva negolide, kodwa lokho enginakho yilokho engikunika kona. Egameni likaJesu Kristu umNazaretha, hamba!” + 7 Wabe eseyibamba ngesandla sokudla wayiphakamisa. + Ngaso leso sikhathi izinyawo namaqakala ayo kwaqina; + 8 igxumagxuma ngezinyawo zayo, + yaqala ukuhamba, yangena nabo ethempelini, ihamba futhi igxumagxuma idumisa uNkulunkulu. 9 Bonke abantu bayibona ihamba idumisa uNkulunkulu. 10 Babona ukuthi yile ndoda eyayivame ukuhlala eSangweni Elihle lethempeli icele izipho zesihe, + bamangala kakhulu futhi bagcwala injabulo ngalokho okwakwenzeke kuyo.

11 Ngesikhathi le ndoda isabambe uPetru noJohane, bonke abantu bagijimela kubo kulokho okwakubizwa ngokuthi uMpheme KaSolomoni, + bemangele kakhulu. 12 Lapho uPetru ebona lokhu, wathi kulabo bantu: “Madoda akwa-Israyeli, kungani kunimangaza kangaka lokhu, futhi kungani nisigqolozele njengokungathi siyenze yahamba ngamandla ethu noma ngokuzinikela kwethu kuNkulunkulu? 13 UNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama no-Isaka noJakobe, + uNkulunkulu wokhokho bethu, uyikhazimulisile iNceku yakhe, + uJesu, + leyo nina enayinikela + futhi nayiphika phambi kukaPilatu, ngisho noma ayesenqume ukuyikhulula. 14 Yebo, namphika lowo ongcwele nolungile, nacela ukuba nikhululelwe umuntu owayengumbulali, + 15 nabulala uMmeli Oyinhloko wokuphila. + Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafile, okuyiqiniso esingofakazi balo. + 16 Ngenxa yegama lakhe nangenxa yokholo lwethu egameni lakhe, le ndoda eniyibonayo neniyaziyo yenziwe yaqina. Ukholo esinalo ngenxa yakhe lwenze le ndoda yaphila qingqo phambi kwenu nonke. 17 Manje bafowethu, ngiyazi ukuthi nenze ngokungazi, + njengoba nje nababusi benu benzile. + 18 Kodwa ngale ndlela uNkulunkulu ugcwalise izinto azimemezela kusengaphambili ngomlomo wabo bonke abaprofethi, ukuthi uKristu wakhe wayeyohlupheka. +

19 “Ngakho phendukani + futhi niguquke + ukuze kusulwe izono zenu, + ukuze izinkathi zokuqabuleka zifike zivela kuJehova uqobo* 20 futhi anithumelele uKristu enamiselwa yena, uJesu. 21 Kodwa uJesu kumele ahlale ezulwini kuze kufike izikhathi lapho zonke izinto sezenziwe zaba zintsha, lezo uNkulunkulu azikhuluma ngomlomo wabaprofethi bakhe abangcwele basendulo. 22 Eqinisweni uMose wathi: ‘UJehova* uNkulunkulu wenu uyonivusela umprofethi onjengami phakathi kwabafowenu. + Kumele nilalele noma yini anitshela yona. + 23 Ngempela noma ubani ongamlaleli lowo mProfethi uyobhujiswa ngokuphelele phakathi kwabantu.’ + 24 Bonke abaprofethi, kusukela kuSamuweli nalabo abalandela yena, bonke labo abaprofetha, nabo bazimemezele ngokucacile lezi zinsuku. + 25 Ningamadodana abaprofethi nawesivumelwano uNkulunkulu asenza nokhokho benu, + ethi ku-Abrahama: ‘Yonke imindeni yomhlaba iyobusiswa ngenzalo* yakho.’ + 26 Ngemva kokuvusa iNceku yakhe, uNkulunkulu wayithumela kini kuqala + ukuba inibusise ngokwenza ukuba yilowo nalowo afulathele izenzo zakhe ezimbi.”

4 Ngesikhathi laba ababili besakhuluma nabantu, abapristi, induna yethempeli nabaSadusi + beza kubo. 2 Babecasukile ngoba abaphostoli babefundisa abantu futhi bememezela obala ukuvuka kukaJesu kwabafile. + 3 Ngakho bababamba bababopha + kwaze kwaba usuku olulandelayo, ngoba kwase kuhlwile. 4 Nokho, abaningi kulabo ababelalele inkulumo bakholwa, inani lamadoda lalicishe libe ngu-5 000. +

5 Ngosuku olulandelayo, ababusi babo, amadoda amadala kanye nababhali bahlangana ndawonye eJerusalema, 6 no-Anase + umpristi omkhulu, uKayafase, + uJohane, u-Aleksandru nabo bonke ababeyizihlobo zompristi omkhulu. 7 Bamisa uPetru noJohane phakathi kwabo bababuza bathi: “Nikwenze ngamaphi amandla noma ngegama likabani lokhu?” 8 UPetru egcwele umoya ongcwele, + wathi kubo:

“Babusi babantu namadoda amadala, 9 uma namuhla siphenywa ngenxa yesenzo esihle esisenze endodeni ekhubazekile, + futhi nifuna ukwazi ukuthi ubani owenze le ndoda yaphila, 10 makwazeke kini nonke nakubo bonke abantu bakwa-Israyeli, ukuthi ngegama likaJesu Kristu umNazaretha, + enambethela esigxotsheni + kodwa uNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafile, + kungenxa yakhe le ndoda imi lapha phambi kwenu iphile saka. 11 Lo ‘uyitshe nina bakhi enaliphatha njengelingento yalutho eseliyitshe legumbi* eliyinhloko.’ + 12 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ayikho insindiso kunoma ubani omunye, ngoba alikho elinye igama + emhlabeni uNkulunkulu alikhethile phakathi kwabantu okumele sisindiswe ngalo.” +

13 Lapho bebona isibindi* sikaPetru noJohane futhi beqonda ukuthi bangabantu abangafundile* nabavamile, + bamangala. Babona ukuthi babenoJesu. + 14 Njengoba bebuka indoda eyayelashiwe imi nabo, + ababanga nalutho abangaphendula ngalo. + 15 Ngakho babayala ukuba baphumele ngaphandle kwehholo leSanhedrini, babonisana, 16 bethi: “Yini okufanele siyenze ngalaba bantu? + Ngoba ngempela kwenzeke isibonakaliso esiphawulekayo ngabo, esisobala kubo bonke abahlala eJerusalema, + asikwazi ukusiphika. 17 Ukuze lokhu kungaqhubeki kusakazeka phakathi kwabantu, masibasabise, sibatshele ukuthi bangabe besakhuluma namuntu ngaleli gama.” +

18 Ngemva kwalokho bababiza babayala ukuba bangasho lutho nhlobo noma bafundise ngegama likaJesu. 19 Kodwa uPetru noJohane babaphendula bathi: “Ukuthi kulungile yini emehlweni kaNkulunkulu ukulalela nina kunoNkulunkulu, yahlulelani nina. 20 Kodwa thina, ngeke siyeke ukukhuluma ngezinto esizibonile nesizizwile.” + 21 Ngakho, lapho sebephinde babasabisa, babakhulula, njengoba babengatholanga zizathu abangabajezisela zona nangenxa yokuthi babesaba abantu + ngoba bonke babekhazimulisa uNkulunkulu ngalokho okwakwenzekile. 22 Indoda okwenziwa kuyo lesi simangaliso* sokuphulukisa yayineminyaka engaphezu kwengu-40 ubudala.

23 Ngemva kokukhululwa, baya kubantu bakubo bafike babika lokho abapristi abakhulu namadoda amadala ababekushilo kubo. 24 Lapho bezwa lokhu, bathandaza kuNkulunkulu ngobunye bathi:

“Nkosi EnguMbusi, nguWe owenza izulu nomhlaba nolwandle nazo zonke izinto ezikukho, + 25 nowathi ngomoya ongcwele, ngomlomo kakhokho wethu uDavide, + inceku yakho: ‘Kungani izizwe zixokozela nabantu bezindla ngezinto eziyize? 26 Amakhosi omhlaba avukela, nababusi babuthana ngobunye bamelana noJehova* nogcotshiwe* wakhe.’ + 27 Ngempela bobabili uHerode noPontiyu Pilatu + kanye nabantu bezizwe nabantu bakwa-Israyeli babuthana kuleli dolobha bamelana nenceku yakho engcwele uJesu, owayigcoba, + 28 ukuze benze lokho isandla nenjongo yakho okwakukunqume kusengaphambili ukuba kwenzeke. + 29 Manje Jehova,* naka izinsongo zabo, wenze izinceku zakho ziqhubeke zikhuluma izwi lakho ngaso sonke isibindi, 30 kuyilapho welula isandla sakho ukuze uphulukise futhi kwenzeka izibonakaliso nezimangaliso + egameni lenceku yakho engcwele uJesu.” +

31 Lapho sebenxusile,* indawo ababebuthene kuyo yanyakaza, bonke ngothi lwabo bagcwala umoya ongcwele, + bakhuluma izwi likaNkulunkulu ngesibindi. +

32 Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwakunoquqaba lwabafundi, ababenhliziyonye futhi bemphefumulo* munye, akekho ngisho noyedwa owayethi noma iyiphi yezinto ayenazo yayingeyakhe yedwa, kodwa zonke izinto babezihlanganyela ndawonye. + 33 Ngamandla amakhulu abaphostoli baqhubeka benikeza ubufakazi ngokuvuka kweNkosi uJesu, + uNkulunkulu wababonisa bonke umusa wakhe omkhulu ngesilinganiso esikhulu. 34 Eqinisweni, akekho owayeswele phakathi kwabo, + ngoba bonke ababenamasimu noma izindlu babekuthengisa balethe ababekuzuze ngezinto ezithengisiwe, 35 bakubeke ezinyaweni zabaphostoli. + Kwakube sekwabelwa lowo nalowo ngokwesidingo sakhe. + 36 UJosefa, abaphostoli ababembiza nangokuthi uBarnaba, + (okusho ukuthi uma kuhunyushwa, “iNdodana Yenduduzo”), umLevi, owokuzalwa eKhupro, 37 wayenesiqephu sendawo, wasithengisa, waletha imali wayibeka ezinyaweni zabaphostoli. +

5 Nokho, indoda ethile, egama layo lingu-Ananiya, kanye noSafira umkayo, bathengisa enye yendawo yabo. 2 Kodwa yayifihla enye imali, umkayo azi ngakho, yaletha ingxenye yayo kuphela yayibeka ezinyaweni zabaphostoli. + 3 Kodwa uPetru wathi: “Ananiya, kungani uSathane ekunike isibindi sokuba ukhohlise + umoya ongcwele + futhi ufihle enye imali yensimu? 4 Ngaphambi kokuba uyithengise, kwakungeyona yini eyakho? Ngemva kokuba isithengisiwe, ubungeke yini uyisebenzise ngendlela othanda ngayo? Kungani ucabange ukwenza isenzo esifana nalesi enhliziyweni yakho? Awukhohlisanga abantu, ukhohlise uNkulunkulu.” 5 Lapho ezwa la mazwi, u-Ananiya wawa phansi wafa. Bonke abezwa ngakho bafikelwa ukwesaba okukhulu. 6 Izinsizwa zasukuma, zamsonga ngezindwangu, zamkhiphela ngaphandle, zamngcwaba.

7 Ngemva kwesikhathi esingaba amahora amathathu kwangena umkakhe, engakwazi okwenzekile. 8 UPetru wathi kuye: “Ngitshele, ingabe nina nobabili nithengise insimu ngemali engaka?” Wathi: “Yebo, siyithengise ngaleyo mali.” 9 UPetru wathi kuye: “Kungani nina nobabili nivumelane ngokuvivinya umoya kaJehova?* Bheka! Izinyawo zalabo abangcwabe umyeni wakho zisemnyango, bazokukhiphela ngaphandle.” 10 Ngaso leso sikhathi wawela ezinyaweni zakhe wafa. Lapho izinsizwa zingena, zamthola efile, zamkhiphela ngaphandle, zamngcwaba eceleni komyeni wakhe. 11 Ngenxa yalokho lonke ibandla nabo bonke abezwa ngalezi zinto bafikelwa ukwesaba okukhulu.

12 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngezandla zabaphostoli kwaqhubeka kwenzeka izibonakaliso eziningi nezimangaliso phakathi kwabantu; + bonke babehlangana ndawonye eMphemeni KaSolomoni. + 13 Yiqiniso, akekho noyedwa kwabanye owaba nesibindi sokuzihlanganisa nabo; noma kunjalo, abantu babekhuluma kahle ngabo. 14 Ngaphezu kwalokho, abakholwa yiNkosi baqhubeka benezelwa, uquqaba lwamadoda nabesifazane. + 15 Abagulayo baze babakhiphela ngisho nasemigwaqweni emikhulu, bababeka lapho emibhedeni emincane nakomata, ukuze kuthi lapho uPetru edlula, okungenani isithunzi sakhe siwele kwabanye babo. + 16 Izixuku zabantu abavela emadolobheni azungeze iJerusalema nazo zazilokhu zitheleka, zithwele abantu abagulayo nalabo abahlushwa imimoya emibi, futhi bonke ngothi lwabo belashwa.

17 Kodwa umpristi ophakeme wasukuma, kanye nabo bonke ababenaye beqembu* labaSadusi, futhi baba nomona. 18 Babamba* abaphostoli babafaka ejele lomphakathi. + 19 Kodwa ebusuku, ingelosi kaJehova* yavula iminyango yejele, + yabakhiphela ngaphandle yathi: 20 “Hambani nifike nime ethempelini, niqhubeke nikhuluma nabantu ngawo wonke amazwi aphathelene nalokhu kuphila.” 21 Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, bangena ethempelini entathakusa bafundisa.

Lapho umpristi ophakeme nalabo ababenaye befika, babizela ndawonye iSanhedrini nawo wonke umkhandlu wamadoda amadala wabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, bathumela ukuba kulandwe abaphostoli ejele balethwe kubo. 22 Kodwa lapho izikhulu zifika lapho, azibatholanga ejele. Ngakho zabuya zabika, 23 zathi: “Sithole ijele likhiyiwe livalisisiwe, onogada bemi eminyango, kodwa lapho silivula, asitholanga muntu ngaphakathi.” 24 Nokho lapho induna yethempeli nabapristi abakhulu bezwa la mazwi, badideka ngokuthi kazi yini eyayizolandela ngemva kwalokho. 25 Kodwa kwafika umuntu othile wababikela wathi: “Amadoda eniwafake ejele asethempelini, amile, afundisa abantu.” 26 Induna yabe isihamba nezikhonzi zayo yalanda abaphostoli, kodwa hhayi ngodlame, ngoba babesaba ukuthi abantu bazobashaya ngamatshe bababulale. +

27 Ngakho babaletha babamisa phambi kweSanhedrini. Umpristi ophakeme 28 wathi kubo: “Siniyale ngokucacile ukuba ningaqhubeki nifundisa ngaleli gama, + kodwa bhekani! senigcwalise iJerusalema ngemfundiso yenu, nizimisele ukuletha igazi lalo muntu phezu kwethu.” + 29 UPetru nabanye abaphostoli baphendula bathi: “Kumele silalele uNkulunkulu njengombusi kunabantu. + 30 UNkulunkulu wokhokho bethu wamvusa uJesu, enambulala nina, nimlengisa esigxotsheni. *+ 31 UNkulunkulu wamphakamisela kwesokudla sakhe + njengoMmeli Oyinhloko + noMsindisi, + ukuze u-Israyeli aphenduke futhi athethelelwe izono. + 32 Thina singofakazi balezi zindaba, + kanjalo nomoya ongcwele, + lowo uNkulunkulu awunike labo abamlalelayo njengombusi.”

33 Lapho bezwa lokhu, bathukuthela kakhulu* bafuna ukubabulala. 34 Kodwa umFarisi ogama lakhe linguGamaliyeli, + wasukuma kuyiSanhedrini; wayengumfundisi woMthetho ohlonishwa kakhulu yibo bonke abantu, wayala ukuba laba bantu bakhishelwe ngaphandle isikhashana. 35 Wabe esethi kubo: “Madoda akwa-Israyeli, cabangisisani ngaphambi kokuba nenze noma yini kulaba bantu. 36 Ngokwesibonelo, ngaphambi kwalezi zinsuku kuvele uThewuda, ethi yena uwutho, futhi amadoda amaningi, cishe angu-400, ajoyina iqembu lakhe. Kodwa wabulawa, bonke ababemlandela bahlakazeka banyamalala. 37 Ngemva kwakhe, kwavela uJuda waseGalile ngezinsuku zokubhalisa, wanxenxa abantu ukuba bamlandele. Nalowo muntu futhi wafa, bonke ababemlandela bahlakazeka. 38 Ngakho, njengoba ngibona izinto ezenzekayo manje, ngithi kini, ningabaphazamisi laba bantu, bayekeni. Ngoba uma leli qhinga noma lo msebenzi uvela kubantu, uyogumbuqelwa; 39 kodwa uma uvela kuNkulunkulu, ngeke nikwazi ukubagumbuqela. + Ngaphandle kwalokho, kungase kutholakale ukuthi nilwa noNkulunkulu uqobo.” + 40 Bamlalela, babiza abaphostoli, babashaya, *+ babayala ukuba bayeke ukukhuluma ngegama likaJesu, base bebadedela.

41 Ngakho baphuma phambi kweSanhedrini, bejabula + ngelungelo lokuhlupheka ngenxa yegama likaJesu. 42 Nsuku zonke ethempelini nasendlini ngendlu + baqhubeka ngaphandle kokuyekethisa, befundisa futhi bememezela izindaba ezinhle ngoKristu, uJesu. +

6 Ngalezo zinsuku, lapho abafundi banda, amaJuda akhuluma isiGreki aqala ukukhononda ngamaJuda akhuluma isiHebheru, ngoba abafelokazi bawo babenganakwa lapho kwabiwa ukudla nsuku zonke. + 2 Ngakho abayiShumi Nambili* babiza uquqaba lwabafundi bathi kulo: “Akulungile* ukuba sishiye izwi likaNkulunkulu ukuze sabe ukudla ematafuleni. + 3 Ngakho bafowethu, khethani amadoda ayisikhombisa akhulunyelwa kahle *+ phakathi kwenu, agcwele umoya nokuhlakanipha, + ukuze siwamise phezu kwalo msebenzi odingekile; + 4 kodwa thina sizogxila emthandazweni nasenkonzweni yezwi likaNkulunkulu.” 5 Lokhu abakusho kwalujabulisa lonke uquqaba, lwakhetha uStefanu, indoda egcwele ukholo nomoya ongcwele, kanye noFiliphu, + uProkhoro, uNikanori, uThimoni, uPharmena noNikolawu, umproselithe wase-Antiyokiya. 6 Lwabaletha phambi kwabaphostoli, ngemva kokuthandaza, bababeka izandla. +

7 Ngenxa yalokho izwi likaNkulunkulu laqhubeka lisakazeka, + isibalo sabafundi sasilokhu sanda kakhulu + eJerusalema; isixuku esikhulu sabapristi saba amakholwa. +

8 UStefanu, egcwele umusa waphezulu namandla, wenza izimangaliso ezinkulu nezibonakaliso phakathi kwabantu. 9 Kodwa kweza abantu abathile kulabo okwakuthiwa iqembu leSinagoge Labakhululiwe, kanye nabanye baseKhurene nabase-Aleksandriya, nabanye abavela eKhilikhiya nase-Asiya, baphikisana noStefanu. 10 Kodwa abakwazanga ukuma baqine bamelane nokuhlakanipha nomoya ayekhuluma ngawo. + 11 Ngakho banxenxa amadoda ngasese ukuba athi: “Simzwile ekhuluma izinto ezihlambalazayo ngoMose nangoNkulunkulu.” 12 Babhebhezela abantu, amadoda amadala nababhali, beza kuye ngokushesha, bamthatha ngempoqo bamyisa kuyiSanhedrini. 13 Baletha ofakazi bamanga, abathi: “Lo muntu akayeki ukukhuluma izinto ezimelene nale ndawo engcwele nezimelene noMthetho. 14 Ngokwesibonelo, simzwile ethi lo Jesu umNazaretha uyodiliza le ndawo futhi ashintshe amasiko uMose awadlulisela kithi.”

15 Njengoba bonke labo abahlezi kuyiSanhedrini bemgqolozele, babona ukuthi ubuso bakhe babunjengobuso bengelosi.

7 Kodwa umpristi ophakeme wathi: “Zinjalo yini lezi zinto?” 2 UStefanu waphendula wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, nani bobaba, lalelani. UNkulunkulu wenkazimulo wabonakala kukhokho wethu u-Abrahama ngesikhathi eseMesophothamiya, ngaphambi kokuba ahlale eHarana, + 3 wathi kuye: ‘Phuma ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho uye ezweni engizokutshengisa lona.’ + 4 Wabe esephuma ezweni lamaKhaledi wahlala eHarana. Ukusuka lapho, ngemva kokushona kukayise, + uNkulunkulu wabangela ukuba ashintshe indawo yakhe yokuhlala eze kuleli zwe enihlala kulo manje. + 5 Kodwa alikho ifa amnika lona kulelo zwe, cha, ngisho nendawo enganela unyawo lwakhe; kodwa wathembisa ukumnika lona libe ngelakhe nenzalo* yakhe, + nakuba ayengakabi namntwana. 6 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uNkulunkulu wamtshela ukuthi inzalo* yakhe yayizoba izifiki ezweni elingelona elayo, nokuthi abantu bakhona babeyoyenza izigqila bayihluphe* iminyaka engu-400. + 7 UNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Leso sizwe eyoba izigqila zaso ngiyosahlulela, + futhi ngemva kwalezi zinto iyophuma inikele inkonzo engcwele kimi kule ndawo.’ +

8 “Wamnika nesivumelwano sokusoka, + wazala u-Isaka, + wamsoka ngosuku luka-8, + u-Isaka wazala uJakobe,* uJakobe wazala izinhloko zemindeni* ezingu-12. 9 Izinhloko zemindeni zaba nomona ngoJosefa, + zamthengisa eGibhithe. + Kodwa uNkulunkulu wayenaye, + 10 wamkhulula kuzo zonke izinsizi zakhe, wamenza wathola umusa futhi wabonisa ukuhlakanipha lapho ephambi kukaFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe. Wambeka ukuba abuse iGibhithe nayo yonke indlu yakhe. + 11 Kodwa kwaba khona indlala kulo lonke iGibhithe neKhanani, yebo, usizi olukhulu, okhokho bethu babengakutholi ukudla. + 12 Kodwa uJakobe wezwa ukuthi kwakukhona ukudla* eGibhithe wayesethuma okhokho bethu okokuqala. + 13 Lapho beya khona okwesibili, uJosefa watshela abafowabo ukuthi ungubani, uFaro wawazi umndeni kaJosefa. + 14 Ngakho uJosefa wathumela umyalezo wabiza uyise uJakobe nazo zonke izihlobo zakhe kuleyo ndawo, + sebebonke babengu-75. + 15 Ngakho uJakobe wehlela eGibhithe, + washonela khona, + kanjalo nokhokho bethu. + 16 Bayiswa eShekemi, babekwa ethuneni u-Abrahama ayelithenge ngemali yesiliva emadodaneni kaHamori eShekemi. +

17 “Njengoba nje sisondela isikhathi sokugcwalisa isithembiso uNkulunkulu ayesimemezele ku-Abrahama, isizwe sakhula futhi sanda kakhulu eGibhithe, 18 kwaze kwaba yilapho kuvela enye inkosi eGibhithe, eyayingamazi uJosefa. + 19 Lena yasebenzisa ubuqili ohlangeni lwakithi, yaphoqa obaba ngokungafanele ukuba bachaye izinsana zabo engozini ukuze zingaphili. + 20 UMose wazalwa ngaleso sikhathi, wayemuhle emehlweni kaNkulunkulu.* Wanakekelwa* izinyanga ezintathu emzini kayise. + 21 Kodwa lapho abazali bakhe bephoqeleka ukuba bamlahle, + indodakazi kaFaro yamthatha yamkhulisa njengendodana yayo. + 22 Ngakho uMose wafundiswa kukho konke ukuhlakanipha kwabaseGibhithe. Eqinisweni, wayenamandla ngamazwi nangezenzo zakhe. +

23 “Lapho eba neminyaka engu-40, waba nesifiso* sokuvakashela* abafowabo, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli. + 24 Lapho ebona omunye wabo ephathwa kabi, wamvikela, waphindiselela lowo owayehlukunyezwa ngokubulala owaseGibhithe. 25 Wayecabanga ukuthi abafowabo babezoqonda ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayebasindisa ngesandla sakhe, kodwa abazange bakuqonde lokho. 26 Ngosuku olulandelayo wabonakala kubo njengoba babelwa, wazama ukubahlanganisa ngokuthula, ethi: ‘Madoda, ningabandawonye. Kungani niphathana kabi?’ 27 Kodwa lowo owayephatha kabi umakhelwane wakhe wamsunduzela eceleni, ethi: ‘Ubani okwenze umbusi nomahluleli phezu kwethu? 28 Ingabe ufuna ukungibulala ngendlela obulale ngayo owaseGibhithe izolo?’ 29 Lapho ezwa lokhu, uMose wabaleka wayohlala ezweni lakwaMidiyani njengesifiki, lapho azala khona amadodana amabili. +

30 “Lapho sekudlule iminyaka engu-40, ingelosi yabonakala kuye ehlane laseNtabeni iSinayi iselangabini lesihlahla sameva esivuthayo. + 31 Lapho uMose eyibona, wamangala ngalo mbono. Kodwa njengoba esondela ukuze awuhlole, kwezwakala izwi likaJehova* lithi: 32 ‘NginguNkulunkulu wokhokho benu, uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama no-Isaka noJakobe.’ + UMose wathuthumela, akabange esaba nesibindi sokuqhubeka ahlole. 33 UJehova* wathi kuye: ‘Khumula izimbadada, ngoba indawo omi kuyo ingcwele. 34 Ngikubonile ngempela ukucindezeleka kwabantu bami abaseGibhithe, ngikuzwile ukububula kwabo + futhi ngehlele ukubakhulula. Manje woza, ngizokuthuma eGibhithe.’ 35 Yena lo Mose abamphika, bethi: ‘Ubani okwenze umbusi nomahluleli?’ + nguye kanye uNkulunkulu amthuma + njengombusi nanjengomkhululi esebenzisa ingelosi eyabonakala kuye esihlahleni sameva. 36 Lo muntu wabahola wabakhipha, + wenza izimangaliso nezibonakaliso eGibhithe + nasoLwandle Olubomvu + nasehlane iminyaka engu-40. +

37 “Yilo Mose owathi kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli: ‘UNkulunkulu uyonivusela umprofethi onjengami phakathi kwabafowenu.’ + 38 Nguye lowo owaba phakathi kwebandla ehlane ekanye nengelosi + eyakhuluma naye + eNtabeni iSinayi nokhokho bethu, wamukela amazwi angcwele aphilayo ukuze asinike wona. + 39 Okhokho bethu benqaba ukumlalela, bamsunduzela eceleni, + ngezinhliziyo zabo babuyela eGibhithe, + 40 bethi ku-Aroni: ‘Senzele onkulunkulu abazohamba phambi kwethu. Ngoba asazi ukuthi kwenzekeni kulo Mose, owasihola wasikhipha ezweni laseGibhithe.’ + 41 Ngakho ngalezo zinsuku benza ithole, baletha umhlatshelo kuleso sithixo, baqala ukuzijabulisa ngemisebenzi yezandla zabo. + 42 Ngakho uNkulunkulu wabafulathela, wabayeka banikela inkonzo engcwele ebuthweni lasezulwini, + njengoba nje kulotshiwe encwadini yabaProfethi ukuthi: ‘Akumina enanimenzela iminikelo nemihlatshelo iminyaka engu-40 ehlane, akunjalo nina ndlu ka-Israyeli? 43 Kodwa namukela itende likaMoloki + nenkanyezi kankulunkulu uRefani, izithombe enazenza ukuze nizikhulekele. Ngenxa yalokho ngizonidingisela ngaphesheya kweBhabhiloni.’ +

44 “Okhokho bethu babenetende lobufakazi ehlane, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayala lapho ekhuluma noMose ukuba alenze ngokomklamo ayewubonile. + 45 Okhokho bethu balithatha, balingenisa noJoshuwa ezweni lezizwe, + lezo uNkulunkulu azixosha phambi kokhokho bethu. + Lahlala lapha kwaze kwaba izinsuku zikaDavide. 46 Wathola umusa emehlweni kaNkulunkulu, wacela imvume yokwakhela uNkulunkulu kaJakobe indawo yokuhlala. + 47 Kodwa nguSolomoni owamakhela indlu. + 48 Nokho, oPhezukonke akahlali ezindlini ezenziwe ngezandla, + njengoba nje umprofethi esho: 49 ‘Izulu liyisihlalo sami sobukhosi, + umhlaba uyindawo yami yokubeka izinyawo. + Hlobo luni lwendlu eniyongakhela yona? kusho uJehova.* Noma, iphi indawo yami yokuphumula? 50 Yisandla sami esenza zonke lezi zinto, akunjalo?’ +

51 “Madoda anenkani nanezinhliziyo ezilukhuni nangalaleli, ngaso sonke isikhathi nimelana nomoya ongcwele; njengoba kwenza okhokho benu, nani nenza kanjalo. + 52 Yimuphi kubaprofethi okhokho benu abangazange bamshushise? + Yebo, bababulala labo abakumemezela kusengaphambili ukuza kolungile, + lowo nina eseninikele ngaye nambulala, + 53 nina enamukela uMthetho njengoba wawudluliselwa yizingelosi + kodwa nangawugcina.”

54 Lapho bezwa lezi zinto bathukuthela kakhulu* ezinhliziyweni, baqala ukumququdela amazinyo. 55 Kodwa yena, egcwele umoya ongcwele, wagqolozela ezulwini wabona inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, noJesu emi ngakwesokudla sikaNkulunkulu, + 56 wathi: “Bhekani! Ngibona amazulu evulekile neNdodana yomuntu + imi ngakwesokudla sikaNkulunkulu.” + 57 Babe sebememeza kakhulu ngawo wonke amazwi abo, babeka izandla ezindlebeni zabo, bamthelekela kanye kanye. 58 Ngemva kokumkhiphela ngaphandle kwedolobha, baqala ukumshaya ngamatshe. + Ofakazi + babeka izingubo zabo zangaphandle ezinyaweni zensizwa okuthiwa uSawulu. + 59 Njengoba babemshaya ngamatshe uStefanu, wanxusa wathi: “Nkosi Jesu, yamukela umoya wami.” 60 Ngemva kwalokho, waguqa phansi, wakhala ngezwi elikhulu wathi: “Jehova,* ungababaleli lesi sono.” + Ngemva kokusho lokhu, wafa.

8 USawulu, wakwamukela ukubulawa kwakhe. +

Ngalolo suku kwavela ukushushiswa okukhulu kwebandla elaliseJerusalema; bonke ngaphandle kwabaphostoli bahlakazekela kuzo zonke izifunda zaseJudiya naseSamariya. + 2 Kodwa amadoda ashisekayo amthwala uStefanu ayomngcwaba, futhi amlilela kakhulu. 3 Nokho, uSawulu waqala ukuphatha ibandla ngesihluku. Wayehlasela indlu nendlu, ahudulele ngaphandle amadoda nabesifazane, abayise ejele. +

4 Nokho, labo ababehlakazekile badabula izwe bememezela izindaba ezinhle zezwi likaNkulunkulu. + 5 UFiliphu wehlela edolobheni laseSamariya + washumayela ngoKristu kulo. 6 Izixuku zazizinakisisa izinto ezazishiwo uFiliphu zibe zilalele futhi zibuka izibonakaliso ayezenza. 7 Baningi ababenemimoya emibi, futhi yayikhala ngezwi elikhulu iphume. + Ngaphezu kwalokho, abaningi ababekhubazekile nababeyizinyonga belashwa. 8 Ngakho kwaba nenjabulo enkulu kulelo dolobha.

9 Kwakukhona indoda egama layo linguSimoni kulelo dolobha, ngaphambi kwalokhu, eyayikade isebenzisa ubuciko bemilingo futhi imangaza isizwe saseSamariya, ithi yona ingumuntu omkhulu. 10 Bonke, kusukela komncane kunabo bonke kuye komkhulu kunabo bonke, babeyinaka futhi bethi: “Lo muntu ungaMandla kaNkulunkulu abizwa ngokuthi amaKhulu.” 11 Ngakho babeyinaka ngoba kwase kuyisikhathi eside ibamangaza ngobuciko bayo bemilingo. 12 Kodwa lapho bekholwa uFiliphu, owayememezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu + nezegama likaJesu Kristu, amadoda nabesifazane babebhapathizwa. + 13 USimoni naye waba ikholwa, futhi ngemva kokubhapathizwa, waqhubeka enoFiliphu; + wamangala lapho ebona izibonakaliso nemisebenzi emikhulu yamandla.

14 Lapho abaphostoli eJerusalema bezwa ukuthi iSamariya lamukele izwi likaNkulunkulu, + bathumela kubo uPetru noJohane; 15 behla babathandazela ukuba bathole umoya ongcwele. + 16 Ngoba babebhapathizwe egameni leNkosi uJesu, kodwa umoya ongcwele wawungakehleli kumuntu kubo. + 17 Babe sebebabeka izandla, + bamukela umoya ongcwele.

18 Lapho uSimoni ebona ukuthi umoya unikezwa ngokubekwa izandla ngabaphostoli, wabathembisa ukubanika imali, 19 wathi: “Nami nginikeni leli gunya ukuze kuthi noma ubani engimbeka izandla amukele umoya ongcwele.” 20 Kodwa uPetru wathi kuye: “Kwangathi isiliva lakho lingashabalala kanye nawe, ngoba ucabange ukuthi ungasithola ngemali isipho sesihle sikaNkulunkulu. + 21 Awunangxenye nasabelo kule ndaba, ngoba inhliziyo yakho ayiqondile emehlweni kaNkulunkulu. 22 Ngakho phenduka kulobu bubi bakho, unxuse uJehova* ukuba, uma kungenzeka, akuthethelele ngenxa yomcabango omubi osenhliziyweni yakho; 23 ngoba ngiyabona ukuthi uwushevu obabayo* nesigqila sokungalungi.” 24 USimoni wabaphendula wathi: “Nginxuseleni nina kuJehova* ukuze ngingehlelwa yinto eniyishilo.”

25 Ngakho, lapho sebebunikeze ngokuphelele ubufakazi futhi bakhuluma izwi likaJehova,* babuyela emuva ngaseJerusalema, bamemezela izindaba ezinhle emizini eminingi yamaSamariya. +

26 Nokho, ingelosi kaJehova *+ yakhuluma noFiliphu, yathi: “Sukuma uye eningizimu endleleni eyehlayo esuka eJerusalema iye eGaza.” (Le ndlela isogwadule.) 27 Ngemva kwalokho wasukuma wahamba, futhi bheka! Kwakukhona umthenwa* ongumTopiya, indoda eyayinegunya ingaphansi kukaKhandakhe, indlovukazi yamaTopiya, eyayengamele yonke ingcebo yale ndlovukazi. Wayekade eye eJerusalema eyokhulekela, + 28 wayesebuyela ekhaya, ehlezi enqoleni yakhe efunda ngokuzwakalayo incwadi yomprofethi u-Isaya. 29 Ngakho umoya wathi kuFiliphu: “Hamba uye kule nqola.” 30 UFiliphu wagijima eceleni kwenqola, wamuzwa efunda ngokuzwakalayo incwadi ka-Isaya umprofethi, wathi: “Uyakwazi* ngempela lokho okufundayo?” 31 Wathi: “Ngingakwazi kanjani nje ngempela ngaphandle kokuba othile angiqondise?” Ngakho wancenga uFiliphu ukuba agibele ahlale naye. 32 Yile ingxenye yemiBhalo ayeyifunda: “Njengemvu walethwa ekuhlatshweni, nanjengewundlu elithule phambi komgundi walo, ngakho akathi vu ngomlomo wakhe. + 33 Phakathi nokuhlaziswa kwakhe, akahlulelwanga ngobulungisa. + Ubani oyolandisa imininingwane yesizukulwane sakhe? Ngoba ukuphila kwakhe kuyasuswa emhlabeni.” +

34 Umthenwa wabe esethi kuFiliphu: “Ngicela ungitshele ukuthi lo mprofethi ukhuluma ngobani lapha? Ngaye ngokwakhe noma ngomunye umuntu othile?” 35 UFiliphu wavula umlomo wakhe, eqala ngalo mbhalo, wamemezela kuye izindaba ezinhle ngoJesu. 36 Njengoba behamba ngendlela, bafika emanzini, umthenwa wathi: “Bheka! Nanka amanzi; yini engivimbela ukuba ngibhapathizwe?” 37 *—— 38 Wabe eseyala ukuba inqola ime, bobabili uFiliphu nomthenwa behlela emanzini, wambhapathiza. 39 Lapho bekhuphuka emanzini, umoya kaJehova* wamsusa ngokushesha uFiliphu lapho, umthenwa akabange esambona, kodwa waqhubeka nendlela yakhe ejabula. 40 Nokho uFiliphu wazithola esese-Ashidodi, wadabula kuleyo ndawo, waqhubeka ememezela izindaba ezinhle kuwo wonke amadolobha waze wafika eKhesariya. +

9 Kodwa uSawulu, esaqhubeka nokusongela abafundi beNkosi futhi efuna ukubabulala, + waya kumpristi ophakeme 2 wacela kuye izincwadi zokuya emasinagogeni eDamaseku, ukuze abalethe eJerusalema beboshiwe noma yibaphi abatholayo abangabaleyo Ndlela, + kokubili amadoda nabesifazane.

3 Njengoba ehamba esondela eDamaseku, kungazelelwe kwabanika nxazonke ukukhanya okuvela ezulwini, + 4 wawela phansi, wezwa izwi lithi kuye: “Sawulu, Sawulu, ungishushiselani?” 5 Wabuza wathi: “Ungubani wena Nkosi?” Wathi: “NginguJesu, + lowo omshushisayo. + 6 Vuka uye edolobheni, uzotshelwa okumele ukwenze.” 7 Amadoda ayehamba naye ama ahluleka nokukhuluma, ewuzwa umsindo wezwi kodwa engaboni muntu. + 8 USawulu wavuka, nakuba amehlo akhe ayevulekile, wayengaboni lutho. Ngakho bamhola bembambe ngesandla bamyisa eDamaseku. 9 Izinsuku ezintathu wayengaboni lutho, + akazange adle noma aphuze.

10 Kwakukhona umfundi ogama lakhe lingu-Ananiya + eDamaseku, iNkosi yathi kuye embonweni: “Ananiya!” Wathi: “Ngilapha Nkosi.” 11 INkosi yathi kuye: “Vuka, uye emgwaqweni okuthiwa uQondile, ufune endlini kaJuda umuntu ogama lakhe linguSawulu, waseTarsu. + Njengamanje uyathandaza, 12 embonweni ubone indoda egama layo lingu-Ananiya ingena imbeka izandla ukuze aphinde abone.” + 13 Kodwa u-Ananiya waphendula wathi: “Nkosi, ngizwe abantu abaningi bekhuluma ngalo muntu, bekhuluma ngazo zonke izinto ezimbi azenza kwabangcwele bakho eJerusalema. 14 Njengoba elapha, unegunya elivela kubapristi abakhulu lokubopha bonke ababiza igama lakho.” + 15 Kodwa iNkosi yathi kuye: “Hamba! Ngoba lo muntu uyisitsha sami engisikhethile + ukuba aphathe igama lami ezizweni + nasemakhosini + nakubantwana bakwa-Israyeli. 16 Ngoba ngizombonisa ngokucacile ukuthi ziningi kangakanani izinto okumele ahlupheke ngazo ngenxa yegama lami.” +

17 Ngakho u-Ananiya wahamba wangena kuleyo ndlu, wambeka izandla, wathi: “Sawulu mfowethu, iNkosi uJesu ebonakale kuwe endleleni obuza ngayo, ingithumile ukuze uphinde ubone futhi ugcwale umoya ongcwele.” + 18 Masinyane, okwakubonakala kunjengezimpephelezi kwawa emehlweni akhe, waphinde wabona. Wabe esesukuma wabhapathizwa, 19 wadla wayesethola amandla.

Wahlala nabafundi izinsuku ezithile eDamaseku, + 20 masinyane waqala ukushumayela emasinagogeni ngoJesu, ukuthi lo uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. 21 Kodwa bonke ababemuzwa bamangala, bathi: “Lo muntu akuyena yini lona owayeshushisa ngonya abaseJerusalema ababiza igama likaJesu? + Akazelanga yini lapha ukuzobabopha abayise kubapristi abakhulu?” + 22 Kodwa uSawulu waqhubeka ethola amandla nangokwengeziwe futhi wayewadida amaJuda ayehlala eDamaseku, njengoba ayebonisa ngokunengqondo ukuthi lo nguKristu. +

23 Lapho sekudlule izinsuku eziningi, amaJuda akha icebo lokumbulala. + 24 Nokho, uSawulu wezwa ngecebo lawo. Ayewagadisisa namasango ubusuku nemini ukuze ambulale. 25 Ngakho abafundi bakhe bamthatha bamehlisa ebusuku ngembobo esodongeni, bemehlisa ngobhasikidi. +

26 Lapho efika eJerusalema, + wenza imizamo yokuzihlanganisa nabafundi, kodwa bonke babemesaba, ngoba babengakholwa ukuthi usengumfundi. 27 Ngakho uBarnaba + wamsiza, wamhola wamyisa kubaphostoli, wabalandisa ngokuningiliziwe ngendlela ayebone ngayo iNkosi + endleleni nokuthi yayikhulume naye, nangendlela ayekhulume ngayo ngesibindi egameni likaJesu eDamaseku. + 28 Ngakho waqhubeka enabo, ezihambela ngokukhululekile* eJerusalema, ekhuluma ngesibindi egameni leNkosi. 29 Wayekhuluma futhi ephikisana namaJuda akhuluma isiGreki, kodwa wona enza imizamo yokumbulala. + 30 Lapho abafowethu bezwa ngalokhu, bamehlisela eKhesariya bamthumela eTarsu. +

31 Ngempela, ibandla kulo lonke elaseJudiya naseGalile naseSamariya + langena enkathini yokuthula, lakhiwa; isibalo salo saqhubeka sanda ngenxa yokuthi lalibonisa ukwesaba uJehova* futhi liphila ngokuvumelana nenduduzo yomoya ongcwele. +

32 Njengoba uPetru ayehamba kuso sonke isifunda, wehlela nakwabangcwele ababehlala eLida. + 33 Wathola lapho umuntu ogama lakhe lingu-Eneya, owayeseneminyaka engu-8 elele embhedeni wakhe, ngoba wayekhubazekile. 34 UPetru wathi kuye: “Eneya, uJesu Kristu uyakuphulukisa. + Vuka wendlule umbhede wakho.” + Wavuka masinyane. 35 Lapho bonke abahlala eLida naseThafeni laseSharoni bembona, baphendukela eNkosini.

36 EJopha kwakukhona umfundi ogama lakhe linguThabitha, elisho ukuthi “Dorka,”* uma lihunyushwa. Wayenza izinto eziningi ezinhle nezipho eziningi zesihe. 37 Kodwa ngalezo zinsuku wagula washona. Ngakho bamgeza, bambeka ekamelweni eliphezulu. 38 Njengoba iLida laliseduze kweJopha, lapho abafundi bezwa ukuthi uPetru wayekulelo dolobha, bathumela amadoda amabili kuye ukuba amncenge athi: “Sicela uze kithi khona manje.” 39 UPetru wasuka wahamba nawo. Lapho efika, amyisa ekamelweni eliphezulu; bonke abafelokazi beza kuye bekhala futhi bembonisa zonke izingubo* uDorka ayezenza ngesikhathi esenabo. 40 UPetru wabe esekhiphela wonke umuntu ngaphandle, + eguqa phansi, wathandaza. Ephendukela esidunjini, wathi: “Thabitha, vuka!” Wavula amehlo akhe, lapho ebona uPetru, wavuka wahlala. + 41 UPetru wambamba ngesandla, wamphakamisa, wayesebiza abangcwele nabafelokazi, wababonisa ukuthi useyaphila. + 42 Lokhu kwaziwa kulo lonke elaseJopha, abaningi bakholwa eNkosini. + 43 Wahlala eJopha izinsukwana nomshuki wezikhumba ogama lakhe linguSimoni. +

10 Kwakukhona umuntu eKhesariya ogama lakhe linguKorneliyu, isikhulu sebutho* esasiphethe iviyo lase-Italiya.* 2 Wayengumuntu ozinikele owesaba uNkulunkulu, yena nayo yonke indlu yakhe, wayenzela abantu izipho eziningi zesihe futhi enxusa njalo kuNkulunkulu. 3 Cishe ngehora lika-9 + losuku,* wabona ngokucacile embonweni ingelosi kaNkulunkulu ingena iza kuye ithi: “Korneliyu!” 4 UKorneliyu wayigqolozela, ethukile, wayibuza wathi: “Kwenzenjani Nkosi?” Yathi kuye: “Imithandazo yakho nezipho zakho zesihe kunyukile kwaba njengesikhumbuzo phambi kukaNkulunkulu. + 5 Ngakho manje thuma amadoda eJopha ubize indoda egama layo linguSimoni ebizwa ngokuthi uPetru. 6 Lo muntu uvakashele* uSimoni umshuki wezikhumba, endlini yakhe engasolwandle.” 7 Lapho nje ingelosi ebikhuluma naye ihamba, wabiza izinceku zakhe ezimbili nesosha elizinikele, 8 wabalandisa konke, wayesebathuma eJopha.

9 Ngosuku olulandelayo njengoba beqhubeka nohambo lwabo futhi besondela edolobheni, uPetru wakhuphukela phezu kwendlu cishe ngehora lesithupha* eyothandaza. 10 Kodwa walamba kakhulu, wafuna ukudla. Lapho besalungisa ukudla, wabona umbono, + 11 wabona izulu livulekile, kwehla okuthile* okunjengendwangu enkulu yelineni yehliselwa emhlabeni ngamakhona ayo amane; 12 kukho kwakukhona zonke izinhlobo zezilwane ezinezinyawo ezine nezinwabuzelayo* zomhlaba nezinyoni zezulu. 13 Izwi lathi kuye: “Vuka Petru, hlaba udle!” 14 Kodwa uPetru wathi: “Lutho neze Nkosi, ngoba angikaze ngidle noma yini engcolile nengahlanzekile.” + 15 Izwi laphinde lakhuluma naye okwesibili lathi: “Yeka ukubiza izinto uNkulunkulu azihlanzile ngokuthi zingcolile.” 16 Lokhu kwenzeka okwesithathu, masinyane kwanyuselwa* ezulwini.

17 Ngesikhathi uPetru esadidekile ngokuthi lo mbono ayewubonile ungase usho ukuthini, ngaso leso sikhathi, amadoda ayethunywe uKorneliyu abuza ukuthi yayikuphi indlu kaSimoni futhi ama lapho esangweni. + 18 Amemeza abuza ukuthi uSimoni owayebizwa ngokuthi uPetru wayevakashe khona yini. 19 Njengoba uPetru ayesacabanga ngalo mbono, umoya + wathi: “Kukhona amadoda amathathu akufunayo. 20 Vuka, wehlele phansi uhambe nawo, ungangabazi neze, ngoba ngiwathumile.” 21 UPetru wehlela phansi kulawo madoda wathi: “Yimina enimfunayo. Nizokwenzani lapha?” 22 Athi: “UKorneliyu, + isikhulu sebutho, indoda elungile neyesaba uNkulunkulu futhi ekhulunyelwa kahle yiso sonke isizwe samaJuda, unikwe iziyalezo zaphezulu yingelosi engcwele zokuba athumele ukuba ubizwe uze endlini yakhe, ezwe lokho ozokusho.” 23 Ngakho wawamema aba izivakashi zakhe.

Ngosuku olulandelayo wavuka wahamba nawo, nabanye kubazalwane baseJopha bahamba naye. 24 Ngosuku olulandelayo wangena eKhesariya. Njengokulindelekile, uKorneliyu wayebalindele futhi ebize izihlobo zakhe nabangani abaseduze. 25 Njengoba uPetru engena, uKorneliyu wamhlangabeza, wawa phansi ezinyaweni zakhe wamkhothamela. 26 Kodwa uPetru wamphakamisa, wathi: “Vuka; nami ngiwumuntu nje.” + 27 Njengoba exoxa naye, wangena wathola abantu abaningi behlangene. 28 Wathi kubo: “Nazi kahle ukuthi akukho emthethweni ukuba umJuda azihlanganise nomuntu wolunye uhlanga noma asondele kuye, + nokho uNkulunkulu ungibonisile ukuthi akekho umuntu okufanele ngithi kuye ungcolile noma akahlanzekile. + 29 Ngakho angalanga lapho kuthunyelwa ukuba ngilandwe. Yingakho ngibuza isizathu sokuthumela kwenu ukuba ngilandwe.”

30 UKorneliyu wathi: “Ezinsukwini ezine ezidlule uma ngibala kusukela kuleli hora, bengithandaza endlini yami ngehora lika-9,* kuthe kusenjalo indoda egqoke izingubo ezikhanyayo yama phambi kwami 31 yathi: ‘Korneliyu, umthandazo wakho uzwakele, nezipho zakho zesihe zikhunjuliwe phambi kukaNkulunkulu. 32 Ngakho thumela umyalezo eJopha ubize uSimoni, obizwa ngokuthi uPetru. Lo muntu uyisivakashi endlini kaSimoni, umshuki wezikhumba, ohlala ngasolwandle.’ + 33 Ngabe sengithumela umyalezo kuwe ngaso leso sikhathi, futhi wenze kahle ngokuza lapha. Manje sonke silapha phambi kukaNkulunkulu ukuze sizwe zonke izinto oyalwe nguJehova* ukuba uzisho.”

34 UPetru wavula umlomo wakhe wathi: “Manje sengiyaqonda ukuthi uNkulunkulu akakhethi, + 35 kodwa ezizweni zonke umuntu omesabayo nowenza okulungile uyamukeleka kuye. + 36 UNkulunkulu wathumela izwi lakhe kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli ukuze amemezele kubo izindaba ezinhle zokuthula + ngoJesu Kristu—lona uyiNkosi yabo bonke. + 37 Niyayazi indaba okwakukhulunywa ngayo kulo lonke elaseJudiya, kusukela eGalile + ngemva kobhapathizo uJohane ayeshumayela ngalo: 38 mayelana noJesu waseNazaretha, indlela uNkulunkulu amgcoba ngayo ngomoya ongcwele + nangamandla, futhi walihamba lonke izwe enza okuhle, elapha bonke abacindezelwe uDeveli, + ngoba uNkulunkulu wayenaye. + 39 Thina singofakazi bazo zonke izinto azenza kokubili ezweni lamaJuda naseJerusalema; kodwa bambulala ngokumlengisa esigxotsheni.* 40 UNkulunkulu wamvusa lo ngosuku lwesithathu, + wamvumela ukuba abonakale, 41 hhayi kubo bonke abantu, kodwa kofakazi abamiswa uNkulunkulu kusengaphambili, kithi, esadla futhi saphuza naye ngemva kokuvuka kwakhe kwabafile. + 42 Wasiyala ukuba sishumayele kubantu, sinikeze ubufakazi obuphelele + bokuthi lo nguye uNkulunkulu anquma ukuba abe umahluleli wabaphilayo nabafile. + 43 Bonke abaprofethi bafakaza ngaye, + ukuthi wonke umuntu oba nokholo kuye uthethelelwa izono ngegama lakhe.” +

44 Lapho uPetru esakhuluma ngalezi zindaba, umoya ongcwele wehlela kubo bonke ababezwa izwi. + 45 Amakholwa* asokile ayeze noPetru amangala, ngoba isipho samahhala somoya ongcwele sasithululelwe naphezu kwabantu bezizwe. 46 Ngoba babezwa bekhuluma ngezilimi zabezinye izizwe* futhi bedumisa uNkulunkulu. + UPetru wayesethi: 47 “Ukhona yini ongenqaba namanzi ukuze bangabhapathizwa + laba abamukele umoya ongcwele njengoba nje nathi siwamukele?” 48 Khona manjalo wabayala ukuba babhapathizwe egameni likaJesu Kristu. + Khona-ke bamcela ukuba ahlale izinsuku ezithile.

11 Abaphostoli nabazalwane ababeseJudiya bezwa ukuthi abantu bezizwe nabo balamukele izwi likaNkulunkulu. 2 Ngakho lapho uPetru ekhuphukela eJerusalema, abantu ababenamathele emthethweni wokusoka + baqala ukumgxeka,* 3 bethi: “Wena ungene endlini yabantu abangasokile wadla nabo.” 4 UPetru wabe esebachazela yonke into wathi:

5 “Ngangisedolobheni laseJopha ngithandaza, ngabona umbono, kwehla okuthile* okunjengendwangu enkulu yelineni yehliselwa emhlabeni ngamakhona ayo amane kuvela ezulwini, kwehla kweza ngqo kimi. + 6 Lapho ngikubukisisa, ngabona izilwane zomhlaba ezinezinyawo ezine, izilo zasendle, izilwane ezinwabuzelayo* nezinyoni zezulu. 7 Ngezwa izwi lithi kimi: ‘Vuka Petru, hlaba udle!’ 8 Kodwa ngathi: ‘Lutho neze Nkosi, ngoba into engcolile noma engahlanzekile ayikaze ingene emlonyeni wami.’ 9 Izwi labuya okwesibili livela ezulwini, laphendula lathi: ‘Yeka ukubiza izinto uNkulunkulu azihlanzile ngokuthi zingcolile.’ 10 Lokhu kwenzeka okwesithathu, konke kwaphinde kwabuyiselwa ezulwini. 11 Ngaso leso sikhathi, kwakunamadoda amathathu ayemi endlini esasihleli kuyo, ethunywe kimi evela eKhesariya. + 12 Umoya wangitshela ukuba ngihambe nawo, ngingangabazi neze. Laba bazalwane abayisithupha bahamba nami, sangena endlini yaleyo ndoda.

13 “Yasibikela indlela eyabona ngayo ingelosi ima endlini yayo ithi: ‘Thuma abantu eJopha ukuba balande uSimoni obizwa ngokuthi uPetru, + 14 uzokutshela izinto ongase usindiswe ngazo wena nayo yonke indlu yakho.’ 15 Kodwa lapho ngiqala ukukhuluma, umoya ongcwele wehlela phezu kwabo njengoba nje wehlela naphezu kwethu ekuqaleni. + 16 Ngabe sengikhumbula amazwi eNkosi, yayivame ukuthi: ‘UJohane wabhapathiza ngamanzi, + kodwa nina nizobhapathizwa ngomoya ongcwele.’ + 17 Ngakho-ke, uma uNkulunkulu ebanike isipho sesihle esifanayo naleso asinika sona thina esiye sakholwa eNkosini uJesu Kristu, bengingubani mina ukuba ngime endleleni* kaNkulunkulu?” +

18 Lapho bezwa lezi zinto, bayeka ukuphikisa,* bakhazimulisa uNkulunkulu, bethi: “Kusobala ukuthi uNkulunkulu unike nabantu bezizwe ithuba lokuphenduka ngenjongo yokuba bathole ukuphila.” +

19 Labo ababehlakazwe + usizi olwaqubuka ngoStefanu bahamba baze bayofika eFenike, eKhupro nase-Antiyokiya, kodwa beshumayela kumaJuda kuphela. + 20 Nokho, amanye amadoda phakathi kwabo avela eKhupro naseKhurene afika e-Antiyokiya ashumayeza abantu abakhuluma isiGreki, ememezela izindaba ezinhle zeNkosi uJesu. 21 Ngaphezu kwalokho, isandla sikaJehova* sasinawo, isibalo esikhulu saba amakholwa saphendukela eNkosini. +

22 Umbiko ophathelene nabo wafika ezindlebeni zebandla laseJerusalema, lathumela uBarnaba + e-Antiyokiya. 23 Lapho efika, ebona umusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu, wajabula wabakhuthaza bonke ukuba baqhubeke beqotho eNkosini; + 24 ngoba wayeyindoda enhle negcwele umoya ongcwele nokholo. Kwanezelwa isixuku esikhulu eNkosini. + 25 Ngakho waya eTarsu eyofuna uSawulu yonke indawo. + 26 Lapho esemtholile, wamletha e-Antiyokiya. Kwaphela unyaka wonke behlangana ndawonye nabo ebandleni bafundise isixuku esikhulu impela, kwaqala e-Antiyokiya ukuba abafundi babizwe ngokuthi amaKristu, ngokuvumelana nentando kaNkulunkulu. +

27 Kulezo zinsuku, abaprofethi + behlela e-Antiyokiya bevela eJerusalema. 28 Omunye wabo ogama lakhe lingu-Agabu + wasukuma wabikezela ngomoya ukuthi kukhona indlala enkulu eyayizokwehlela wonke umhlaba, + eyaba khona ngempela esikhathini sikaKlawudiyu. 29 Ngakho abafundi banquma, yilowo nalowo ngokwalokho ayenamandla okukwenza, + ukuba bathumele* usizo + kubazalwane abahlala eJudiya; 30 lokhu bakwenza, beluthumela emadodeni amadala besebenzisa uBarnaba noSawulu. +

12 Cishe ngaleso sikhathi uHerode inkosi waqala ukuphatha kabi amanye amalungu ebandla. + 2 Wabulala uJakobe umfowabo kaJohane + ngenkemba. + 3 Lapho ebona ukuthi lokhu kwakuwajabulisa amaJuda, waqhubeka wabopha noPetru. (Lokhu kwenzeka ngezinsuku zeSinkwa Esingenamvubelo.) + 4 Wambamba, wamfaka ejele, + emnikela emasosheni amane ayezomgada ededelana kane ngosuku, ehlose ukumkhiphela kubantu* ngemva kwePhasika. 5 Ngakho uPetru wayegcinwe ejele, kodwa ibandla lalimthandazela kakhulu kuNkulunkulu. +

6 Lapho uHerode esezomkhipha, ngalobo busuku uPetru wayelele eboshwe ngamaketanga amabili phakathi kwamasosha amabili, kukhona onogada phambi komnyango begade ijele. 7 Ingelosi kaJehova* yayimi lapho, + kwakhanya esitokisini. Yashaya uPetru ohlangothini, yamvusa, yathi: “Vuka masinyane!” Amaketanga awa ezandleni zakhe. + 8 Ingelosi yathi kuye: “Gqoka* ufake izimbadada zakho.” Wenza kanjalo. Ekugcineni yathi kuye: “Gqoka ingubo yakho yangaphandle ungilandele.”* 9 Waphuma wayilandela, kodwa engazi ukuthi lokho okwakwenziwa yingelosi kwakwenzeka ngempela. Eqinisweni, wayecabanga ukuthi ubona umbono. 10 Bedlula onogada bokuqala nabesibili, bafika esangweni lensimbi eliholela edolobheni, lazivulekela ngokwalo phambi kwabo. Ngemva kokuba sebephumile baqhubekela ezansi ngomgwaqo owodwa, masinyane ingelosi yahamba yamshiya. 11 UPetru, esanguluka, wathi: “Manje sengiyazi ngempela ukuthi uJehova* uthumele ingelosi yakhe wangikhulula esandleni sikaHerode nakukho konke amaJuda ayelindele ukuba kwenzeke.” +

12 Ngemva kokubona lokhu, waya endlini kaMariya unina kaJohane owayebizwa ngokuthi uMarku, + lapho kwakuhlangene khona ndawonye abaningana bethandaza. 13 Lapho engqongqoza esangweni, intombazane eyinceku egama layo linguRoda yeza izobheka. 14 Lapho izwa ukuthi yizwi likaPetru, yajabula kakhulu kangangokuba ayilivulanga isango, kodwa yagijima yangena ngaphakathi, yabika ukuthi uPetru wayemi esangweni. 15 Bathi kuyo: “Uyahlanya.” Kodwa yaphikelela ithi uyena. Bathi: “Yingelosi yakhe.” 16 Kodwa uPetru wasala lapho engqongqoza. Lapho bevula umnyango, bambona futhi bamangala. 17 Kodwa wababonisa ngesandla ukuba bathule, wabalandisa ngokuningiliziwe indlela uJehova* ayemkhiphe ngayo ejele, wathi: “Bikelani uJakobe + nabafowethu lezi zinto.” Ngemva kwalokho waphuma wahamba waya kwenye indawo.

18 Lapho sekusile, kwaba khona isiyaluyalu esikhulu phakathi kwamasosha ngokuthi kwakwenzekeni ngoPetru. 19 UHerode wamfuna phansi phezulu, lapho engamtholi, waphenya onogada ngemibuzo, wayala ukuba bathathwe bayojeziswa; + wasuka eJudiya wehlela eKhesariya wahlala khona isikhathi esithile.

20 UHerode wayebathukuthelele* abantu baseThire nabaseSidoni. Ngakho beza kuye benenjongo eyodwa, ngemva kokuthonya uBlastu, umuntu owayephethe izindaba zomuzi wenkosi,* banxusa ukuba kube nokuthula, ngoba izwe labo lalinikwa ukudla okwakuvela ezweni lenkosi. 21 Ngosuku oluthile olumisiwe, uHerode wagqoka izingubo zasebukhosini, wahlala esihlalweni sokwahlulela, wethula inkulumo kubantu. 22 Abantu ababehlangene bamemeza bathi: “Yizwi likankulunkulu, akulona elomuntu!” 23 Ngaso leso sikhathi ingelosi kaJehova* yamshaya ngoba akanikanga uNkulunkulu inkazimulo, wadliwa izibungu wafa.

24 Kodwa izwi likaJehova* laqhubeka likhula futhi lisakazeka. +

25 UBarnaba + noSawulu, ngemva kokuwufeza ngokugcwele umsebenzi wokunikeza usizo eJerusalema, + babuya bathatha uJohane, + obizwa nangokuthi uMarku, bahamba naye.

13 E-Antiyokiya kwakukhona abaprofethi nabafundisi ebandleni lakhona: + UBarnaba, uSimeyoni owayebizwa ngokuthi uNigeri, uLukiyu waseKhurene, uManayeni owafunda noHerode umbusi wesifunda, noSawulu. 2 Njengoba babekhonza* uJehova* futhi bezila ukudla, umoya ongcwele wathi: “Ngihlukaniseleni uBarnaba noSawulu + ukuze benze umsebenzi engibabizele wona.” + 3 Ngemva kokuzila ukudla nokuthandaza, bababeka izandla babahambisa.

4 Ngakho la madoda, ethunywe umoya ongcwele, ehlela eSelukiya, asuka lapho ahamba ngomkhumbi aya eKhupro. 5 Lapho efika eSalami, amemezela izwi likaNkulunkulu emasinagogeni amaJuda. Ayehamba noJohane eyisikhonzi sawo. *+

6 Lapho esesidabule sonke isiqhingi aze afika ePhafu, ahlangana nendoda engumJuda egama layo linguBarjesu, eyayingumthakathi nomprofethi wamanga. 7 Yayikanye nomphathi-sifundazwe* uSergiyu Pawulu, indoda ekhaliphile. Le ndoda yabiza uBarnaba noSawulu ngoba yayilangazelela ukuzwa izwi likaNkulunkulu. 8 Kodwa u-Eluma umthakathi (ngoba yileyo ndlela igama lakhe elihunyushwa ngayo) wabaphikisa, ezama ukwenza umphathi-sifundazwe afulathele ukholo. 9 USawulu, obizwa nangokuthi uPawulu, egcwala umoya ongcwele, wambukisisa 10 wathi: “O muntu ogcwele yonke inhlobo yokukhohlisa nayo yonke inhlobo yobugebengu, wena ndodana kaDeveli, + wena sitha sakho konke okulungile, kungani uqhubeka usonta izindlela zikaJehova* ezilungile? 11 Bheka! Isandla sikaJehova* siphezu kwakho, uzoba yimpumputhe, ungakuboni ukukhanya kwelanga isikhathi esithile.” Ngaso leso sikhathi kwehlela phezu kwakhe inkungu nobumnyama, wahamba efuna umuntu ozomhola ngesandla. 12 Lapho umphathi-sifundazwe ebona lokho okwakwenzekile, waba yikholwa, ngoba wakhexa ngenxa yemfundiso kaJehova.*

13 UPawulu nabangani bakhe bathatha uhambo lwasolwandle besuka ePhafu bafika ePherga ePhamfiliya. Kodwa uJohane + wabashiya wabuyela eJerusalema. + 14 Nokho, baqhubeka besuka ePherga bafika e-Antiyokiya ePhisidiya. Bangena esinagogeni + ngosuku lweSabatha, bafike bahlala phansi. 15 Ngemva kokufundwa koMthetho + nezincwadi zabaProfethi eningini, izikhulu ezengamele zesinagoge zathumela umyalezo kubo, zathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, uma ekhona amazwi akhuthazayo enifuna ukuwasho kubantu, wakhulumeni.” 16 Ngakho uPawulu wasukuma, wenza uphawu ngesandla lokuba bathule, wathi:

“Madoda, ma-Israyeli nani nina abanye enesaba uNkulunkulu, lalelani. 17 UNkulunkulu walesi sizwe sakwa-Israyeli wakhetha okhokho bethu, waphakamisa lesi sizwe ngesikhathi siphila njengezifiki ezweni laseGibhithe, wasikhipha ngengalo enamandla. *+ 18 Enkathini ecishe ibe iminyaka engu-40, wabekezelela izenzo zaso ehlane. + 19 Ngemva kokubhubhisa izizwe eziyisikhombisa ezweni laseKhanani, izwe lazo walaba njengefa. + 20 Konke lokho kwakuphakathi neminyaka ecishe ibe ngu-450.

“Ngemva kwalokho wasinika abahluleli kwaze kwaba uSamuweli umprofethi. + 21 Kodwa ngemva kwalokho safuna inkosi, + uNkulunkulu wasinika uSawule indodana kaKishi, indoda yesizwe sakwaBhenjamini, + iminyaka engu-40. 22 Ngemva kokumsusa, wasivezela uDavide njengenkosi, + afakaza ngaye wathi: ‘Ngithole uDavide indodana kaJese, + umuntu ojabulisa inhliziyo yami; + uzokwenza zonke izinto engizifisayo.’ 23 Ngokwesithembiso sakhe, enzalweni* yalo muntu, uNkulunkulu ulethe umsindisi ku-Israyeli, uJesu. + 24 Ngaphambi kokufika kwalowo, uJohane wayeshumayele obala kubo bonke abantu bakwa-Israyeli ngobhapathizo njengesibonakaliso sokuphenduka. + 25 Kodwa njengoba uJohane ayeqeda inkambo yakhe, wayethi: ‘Nicabanga ukuthi ngingubani? Angiyena.* Kodwa bhekani! Uyeza emva kwami lowo engingakufanelekeli ukuqaqa amabhande ezimbadada zakhe.’ +

26 “Madoda, bazalwane, nina nzalo yomndeni ka-Abrahama nalabo abanye phakathi kwenu abesaba uNkulunkulu, izwi lale nsindiso lithunyelwe kithi. + 27 Ngoba abahlala eJerusalema nababusi babo abamamukelanga lo,* kodwa lapho bemahlulela, bagcwalisa izinto ezashiwo abaProfethi, + okuyizinto ezifundwa ngokuzwakalayo ngawo wonke amasabatha. 28 Nakuba bengatholanga sizathu sokuba afe, + bathi kuPilatu makabulawe. + 29 Lapho sebefeze zonke izinto ezalotshwa ngaye, bamehlisa esigxotsheni* bambeka ethuneni. + 30 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafile, + 31 uJesu wabonakala izinsuku eziningi kulabo ababekhuphuke naye besuka eGalile beya eJerusalema. Laba sebengofakazi bakhe kubantu. +

32 “Ngakho simemezela kini izindaba ezinhle mayelana nesithembiso esenziwa kokhokho. 33 UNkulunkulu usigcwalise ngokuphelele kithi, thina bantwana babo, ngokuvusa uJesu; + njengoba nje kulotshiwe ehutsheni lesibili: ‘Wena uyindodana yami; namuhla ngikuzele.’ + 34 UNkulunkulu wamvusa kwabafile, wamnika umzimba ongasoze wonakala, uNkulunkulu wakuqinisekisa ukuthi kuyiqiniso lokhu lapho ethi: ‘Ngizonibonisa uthando oluqotho engaluthembisa uDavide, lesi sithembiso siqinisekile.’ + 35 Ngakho kuphinde kuthiwe kwelinye ihubo: ‘Ngeke umvumele oqotho wakho abone ukonakala.’ + 36 UDavide yena wanikela inkonzo engcwele kuNkulunkulu* esizukulwaneni sakhe, wafa wangcwatshwa nokhokho bakhe, umzimba wakhe wabona ukonakala. + 37 Ngakolunye uhlangothi, lowo uNkulunkulu amvusa akakubonanga ukonakala. +

38 “Ngakho makwazeke kini bafowethu ukuthi ukuthethelelwa kwezono kumenyezelwa kini ngaye lo, *+ 39 nokuthi kukho konke okwakungenakushiwo ukuthi aninacala kukho ngoMthetho KaMose, + wonke umuntu okholwayo kuthiwa akanacala kukho ngaye lo. + 40 Ngakho-ke qaphelani ukuba lokho okushiwo kubaProfethi kunganehleli: 41 ‘Kubhekeni nina baklolodi, nimangale, nishabalale, ngoba ngenza umsebenzi ezinsukwini zenu, umsebenzi eningasoze nawukholwa ngisho noma umuntu enilandisa wona ngokuningiliziwe.’ ” +

42 Lapho bephuma, abantu babancenga ukuba bakhulume ngalezi zindaba ngeSabatha elilandelayo. 43 Ngakho ngemva kokuba umkhandlu wesinagoge usuhlakazekile, abaningi kumaJuda nakumaproselithe ayekhonza uNkulunkulu balandela uPawulu noBarnaba, labo abathi lapho bekhuluma nabo babakhuthaza ukuba bahlale emseni omkhulu kaNkulunkulu. +

44 NgeSabatha elilandelayo, cishe lonke idolobha labuthana ndawonye ukuze lizwe izwi likaJehova.* 45 Lapho amaJuda ebona izixuku, agcwala umhawu futhi aziphikisa ngokuhlambalaza izinto ezazishiwo uPawulu. + 46 Ngakho, uPawulu noBarnaba bakhuluma nabo ngesibindi bathi: “Kwakudingekile ukuba izwi likaNkulunkulu likhulunywe kini kuqala. + Njengoba nilenqaba futhi ningazahluleli njengabafanelwe ukuphila okuphakade, bhekani! siphendukela ezizweni. + 47 Ngoba uJehova* usiyale ngala mazwi: ‘Ngikumise ukuba ube ukukhanya kwezizwe, ukuba ube yinsindiso kuze kube semaphathelweni omhlaba.’ ” +

48 Lapho labo bezizwe bekuzwa lokhu, baqala ukujabula nokukhazimulisa izwi likaJehova,* bonke labo ababenesimo esihle sengqondo esasiyobenza bathole ukuphila okuphakade baba amakholwa. 49 Ngaphezu kwalokho, izwi likaJehova* lalisakazwa kulo lonke lelo zwe. 50 Kodwa amaJuda agqugquzela abesifazane abavelele ababesaba uNkulunkulu namadoda avelele edolobha, babangela ukuba uPawulu noBarnaba bashushiswe, + babaxoshela ngaphandle kwemingcele yabo. 51 Ngakho babathintithela uthuli lwezinyawo zabo baya e-Ikoniyu. + 52 Abafundi baqhubeka begcwala injabulo + nomoya ongcwele.

14 E-Ikoniyu bangena kanyekanye esinagogeni lamaJuda, bakhuluma ngendlela eyenza ukuba uquqaba lwamaJuda namaGreki lube amakholwa. 2 Kodwa amaJuda ayengazange akholwe agqugquzela abantu bezizwe futhi abathonya ukuba bamelane nabazalwane. + 3 Ngakho bachitha isikhathi eside bekhuluma ngesibindi begunyazwe uJehova,* owafakazela izwi lomusa wakhe omkhulu ngokuvumela ukuba kwenziwe izibonakaliso nezimangaliso ngabo. + 4 Nokho, uquqaba lwedolobha lwahlukana phakathi; abanye baba ngakumaJuda kodwa abanye baba ngakubaphostoli. 5 Lapho abantu bezizwe kanye namaJuda nababusi bawo benza umzamo wokuba babahlazise futhi babashaye ngamatshe, + 6 batshelwa ngakho, babalekela emadolobheni aseLikawoniya, eListra naseDerbe nasezindaweni eziseduze. + 7 Baqhubeka bememezela izindaba ezinhle lapho.

8 EListra kwakunendoda eyayihlezi phansi ikhubazekile ezinyaweni. Yayikhubazeke kusukela izalwa, ingakaze nhlobo ihambe. 9 Le ndoda yayilalele njengoba uPawulu ekhuluma. UPawulu, owayeyigqolozele futhi ebona ukuthi inokholo lokuthi ingaphiliswa, + 10 wathi ngezwi elikhulu: “Sukuma ume ngezinyawo zakho.” Ngakho le ndoda yagxuma yaqala ukuhamba. + 11 Lapho izixuku zibona lokho uPawulu ayekwenzile, zamemeza ngolimi lwesiLikawoniya zathi: “Onkulunkulu sebenjengabantu futhi behlele kithi!” + 12 Babiza uBarnaba ngokuthi uZeyusi, uPawulu bambiza ngokuthi uHermesi, njengoba kwakunguye owayehola ekukhulumeni. 13 Umpristi kaZeyusi, othempeli lakhe laliphambi kwesango ledolobha, waletha izinkunzi nemigexo yezimbali emasangweni, yena nesixuku babefuna ukwenza imihlatshelo.

14 Nokho, lapho abaphostoli uBarnaba noPawulu bezwa ngakho, baklebhula izingubo zabo bagxumela esixukwini, bememeza bethi: 15 “Madoda, kungani nenza lezi zinto? Nathi singabantu abanobuthakathaka obufana nobenu. + Simemezela izindaba ezinhle kini, ukuba niphenduke kulezi zinto eziyize niphendukele kuNkulunkulu ophilayo, owenza izulu nomhlaba nolwandle nakho konke okukukho. + 16 Ezizukulwaneni ezidlule wavumela zonke izizwe ukuba ziqhubeke ngezindlela zazo, + 17 ngokwenza izinto ezinhle wanibonisa ukuthi ungubani, + eninika izimvula ezivela ezulwini nezinkathi ezinezithelo, + enanelisa ngokudla, egcwalisa izinhliziyo zenu ngokwenama okukhulu.” + 18 Kodwa naphezu kokusho lezi zinto, abakutholanga kulula ukuvimba izixuku ukuba zibenzele umhlatshelo.

19 Kodwa kwafika amaJuda evela e-Antiyokiya nase-Ikoniyu athonya izixuku, + zashaya uPawulu ngamatshe zamhudulela ngaphandle kwedolobha, zicabanga ukuthi ufile. + 20 Nokho, lapho abafundi bemngunga, wavuka wangena edolobheni. Ngosuku olulandelayo wahamba noBarnaba baya eDerbe. + 21 Ngemva kokumemezela izindaba ezinhle kulelo dolobha nokwenza abafundi abaningana, babuyela eListra, e-Ikoniyu nase-Antiyokiya. 22 Lapho, baqinisa abafundi, + babakhuthaza ukuba bahlale okholweni, bethi: “Kumele singene eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu ngezinsizi eziningi.” + 23 Ngaphezu kwalokho, babamisela amadoda amadala ebandleni ngalinye, + benza umthandazo ohambisana nokuzila ukudla, + babanikela kuJehova* ababeye bakholwa nguye.

24 Ngemva kwalokho badabula iPhisidiya bafika ePhamfiliya, + 25 ngemva kokumemezela izwi ePherge, behlela e-Ataliya. 26 Ukusuka lapho bahamba ngomkhumbi baya e-Antiyokiya, lapho babenikelwe khona emseni omkhulu kaNkulunkulu ngenxa yomsebenzi abase bewuqedile. +

27 Lapho sebefikile futhi bebuthele ibandla ndawonye, balandisa izinto eziningi uNkulunkulu ayezenzile ngabo, nokuthi wayevulele izizwe umnyango wokukholwa. + 28 Ngakho bachitha isikhathi eside nabafundi.

15 Abantu abathile behla bevela eJudiya, baqala ukufundisa abazalwane bethi: “Ngaphandle kokuba nisokwe ngokuvumelana nomthetho* kaMose, + ngeke nisindiswe.” 2 Kodwa ngemva kokuba sekuvele ukungezwani nokuphikisana okukhulu phakathi kwabo noPawulu noBarnaba, kwahlelwa ukuba uPawulu, uBarnaba nabanye bakhuphukele kubaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema + ngokuphathelene nale ndaba.*

3 Ngakho, ngemva kokuphelezelwa yibandla kancane, la madoda aqhubeka nendlela edabula iFenike neSamariya, elandisa ngokuningiliziwe ngokuguquka kwabantu bezizwe, lokho kwabajabulisa kakhulu bonke abazalwane. 4 Lapho efika eJerusalema, ibandla nabaphostoli namadoda amadala bawamukela ngomusa, abaxoxela izinto eziningi uNkulunkulu ayezenzile ngawo. 5 Kodwa abanye kulabo ababeseqenjini lenkolo* labaFarisi ababeye baba amakholwa, basukuma bathi: “Kudingekile ukubasoka nokubayala ukuba bagcine uMthetho KaMose.” +

6 Ngakho abaphostoli namadoda amadala bahlangana ukuze bayihlole le ndaba. 7 Ngemva kwengxoxo ende eshubile,* uPetru wasukuma wathi kubo: “Madoda, bafowethu, nazi kahle ukuthi kusukela ezinsukwini zakuqala uNkulunkulu wakhetha phakathi kwenu ukuba abantu bezizwe balizwe ngomlomo wami izwi lezindaba ezinhle, bakholwe. + 8 UNkulunkulu owazi inhliziyo, + wafakaza ngokubanika umoya ongcwele, + njengoba nje enza nakithi. 9 Akenzanga mahluko nhlobo phakathi kwethu nabo, + kodwa wahlanza izinhliziyo zabo ngokholo. + 10 Pho kungani manje nivivinya uNkulunkulu ngokuthwesa abafundi ijoka + okhokho bethu kanye nathi esingakwazanga ukulithwala? + 11 Kunalokho, sinokholo lokuthi sisindisiwe ngomusa omkhulu weNkosi uJesu + ngendlela efanayo neyabo.” +

12 Lapho bezwa lokho, bonke bathula, baqala ukulalela uBarnaba noPawulu belandisa izibonakaliso nezimangaliso eziningi uNkulunkulu ayezenze ngabo phakathi kwezizwe. 13 Ngemva kokuba sebeqedile ukukhuluma, uJakobe waphendula, wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngizweni. 14 USimeyoni + useyilandise ngokuphelele indlela manje uNkulunkulu asenaka ngayo izizwe ukuze athathe kuzo isizwe segama lakhe. + 15 Amazwi abaProfethi ayavumelana nalokhu, njengoba nje kulotshiwe: 16 ‘Ngemva kwalezi zinto ngiyobuya ngiphinde ngilivuse itende* likaDavide eliwele phansi; ngiyowakha kabusha amanxiwa alo ngilivuselele, 17 ukuze abantu abasele bamfune ngobuqotho uJehova,* kanye nabantu bazo zonke izizwe, abantu ababizwa ngegama lami, kusho uJehova,* owenza lezi zinto, + 18 ezaziwa kusukela kudala.’ + 19 Ngakho isinqumo* sami siwukuthi singabakhathazi labo abavela ezizweni abaphendukela kuNkulunkulu, + 20 kodwa sibabhalele ngenjongo yokuba badede ezintweni ezingcoliswe izithixo, + ekuziphatheni kabi ngokocansi, *+ ezintweni eziklinyiwe* nasegazini. + 21 Ngoba kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo, bekulokhu kunabantu abashumayela ngoMose idolobha nedolobha, befunda ngokuzwakalayo izincwadi zakhe emasinagogeni ngawo wonke amasabatha.” +

22 Abaphostoli namadoda amadala kanye nalo lonke ibandla, banquma ukuthumela amadoda akhethiwe phakathi kwabo ukuba aye e-Antiyokiya, kanye noPawulu noBarnaba; bathuma uJuda owayebizwa ngokuthi uBarsaba noSila, + ababengamadoda aholayo phakathi kwabazalwane. 23 Nakhu abakubhala bakuphathisa bona:

“Abaphostoli namadoda amadala, abangabafowenu, kubafowethu e-Antiyokiya, + eSiriya naseKhilikhiya abavela ezizweni: Siyanibingelela! 24 Njengoba sizwile ukuthi kusuke abanye phakathi kwethu bakhuluma izinto ezinikhathazayo, + bezama ukuniphambukisa nakuba singabayalezanga, 25 sinqume ngazwi-linye ukukhetha amadoda, siwathumele kini kanye noBarnaba noPawulu esibathandayo, 26 abantu abanikele ngokuphila kwabo ngenxa yegama leNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu. + 27 Ngakho-ke sithumela uJuda noSila, ukuze nabo babike lezi zinto ezifanayo ngomlomo. + 28 Ngoba ngosizo lomoya ongcwele + sikubone kukuhle ukunganezeli omunye umthwalo osindayo kini, ngaphandle kwalezi zinto ezidingekile: 29 ukuba niqhubeke nideda ezintweni ezihlatshelwe izithixo, + egazini, + ezintweni eziklinyiwe *+ nasekuziphatheni kabi ngokocansi. *+ Uma niqhubeka nideda kulezi zinto niyochuma. Mpilonhle!”*

30 Ngakho lapho la madoda ededelwa, ehlela e-Antiyokiya, aqoqela ndawonye lonke iqembu, alinikeza le ncwadi. 31 Ngemva kokuyifunda, lajabula ngaleso sikhuthazo. 32 UJuda noSila, njengoba nabo babengabaprofethi, bakhuthaza abazalwane ngezinkulumo eziningi, babaqinisa. + 33 Ngemva kokuchitha isikhathi esithile lapho, abazalwane babahambisa ngokuthula babuyela kulabo ababebathumile. 34 *—— 35 Kodwa uPawulu noBarnaba bahlala e-Antiyokiya, befundisa futhi bememezela izindaba ezinhle zezwi likaJehova,* kanye nabanye abaningi.

36 Ngemva kwezinsuku ezithile, uPawulu wathi kuBarnaba: “Masibuyele* emuva sihambele abafowethu kuwo wonke amadolobha esamemezela kuwo izwi likaJehova,* ukuze sibone ukuthi banjani.” + 37 UBarnaba wayezimisele ukuthatha uJohane, owayebizwa ngokuthi uMarku, ukuba bahambe naye. + 38 Nokho, uPawulu wayengathandi ukumthatha bahambe naye, ngenxa yokuthi wayebashiyile ePhamfiliya akayanga nabo emsebenzini. + 39 Kwaqhuma intukuthelo enkulu, baze bahlukana; uBarnaba + wathatha uMarku bahamba ngomkhumbi baya eKhupro. 40 UPawulu wakhetha uSila wahamba ngemva kokuba abazalwane sebemnikele kuJehova* ukuze ambonise umusa omkhulu. + 41 Wadabula iSiriya neKhilikhiya, eqinisa amabandla.

16 Wafika eDerbe naseListra. + Kwakukhona umfundi ogama lakhe linguThimothewu, + indodana yowesifazane okholwayo ongumJuda kodwa uyise engumGreki, 2 abazalwane baseListra nase-Ikoniyu babekhuluma kahle ngaye. 3 UPawulu waveza isifiso sokuba uThimothewu ahambe naye, wamthatha wamsoka ngenxa yamaJuda ayekulezo zindawo, + ngoba wonke ayazi ukuthi uyise ungumGreki. 4 Njengoba behamba bedabula amadolobha, babedlulisela kubazalwane lokho okwakunqunywe abaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema ukuze bakugcine. + 5 Ngakho amabandla aqhubeka eqiniswa okholweni futhi anda ngesibalo usuku nosuku.

6 Ngaphezu kwalokho, badabula iFrigiya nezwe laseGalathiya, + ngoba umoya ongcwele wawubanqabele ukuba bakhulume izwi likaNkulunkulu esifundazweni sase-Asiya. 7 Ngaphezu kwalokho, lapho befika eMisiya, benza imizamo yokuya eBhithiniya, + kodwa umoya kaJesu awuzange ubavumele. 8 Ngakho badlula* eMisiya behlela eTrowa. 9 Ebusuku kwabonakala umbono kuPawulu—indoda yaseMakedoniya yayimile imncenga ithi: “Welela eMakedoniya usisize.” 10 Ngokushesha nje lapho esebone lowo mbono, sazama ukuya eMakedoniya, sifinyelela isiphetho sokuthi uNkulunkulu wayesibizele ukumemezela izindaba ezinhle kubo.

11 Ngakho sathatha uhambo lwasolwandle sisuka eTrowa sahamba ngendlela eqondile saya eSamotrake, kodwa ngosuku olulandelayo saya eNeyapholi; 12 ukusuka lapho saya eFilipi, + ikoloni eliyidolobha eliyinhloko lesifunda saseMakedoniya. Sahlala kulelo dolobha izinsuku ezithile. 13 Ngosuku lweSabatha saphumela ngaphandle kwesango saya eceleni komfula, lapho esasicabanga ukuthi kunendawo yokuthandaza khona, sahlala phansi sakhuluma nabesifazane ababehlangene. 14 Owesifazane ogama lakhe linguLidiya, umthengisi wokuphephuli wasedolobheni laseThiyathira + noyisikhonzi sikaNkulunkulu, wayelalele, uJehova* wayivula kakhulu inhliziyo yakhe ukuze anake izinto ezazishiwo uPawulu. 15 Lapho yena nendlu yakhe bebhapathizwa, + wasincenga wathi: “Uma ningibheka njengothembekile kuJehova,* wozani nihlale endlini yami.” Waphikelela ethi masihambe naye.

16 Njengoba sasiya endaweni yokuthandaza, sahlangana nentombazane eyinceku eyayinomoya, idemoni lokubhula. + Yayinikeza amakhosi ayo inzuzo enkulu ngokubikezela ngekusasa.* 17 Le ntombazane yayilokhu ilandela uPawulu nathi, imemeza ithi: “Laba bantu bayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, + bamemezela kini indlela yensindiso.” 18 Lokhu yayilokhu ikwenza izinsuku eziningi. Ekugcineni uPawulu wakhathala ukuzwa lokho, waphenduka wathi kulo moya: “Ngikuyala egameni likaJesu Kristu ukuba uphume kuye.” Waphuma ngalo kanye lelo hora. +

19 Nokho, lapho labo eyayibasebenzela bebona ukuthi babengeke besayenza imali, + babamba uPawulu noSila babahudulela emakethe kubabusi. + 20 Babahola babayisa ezimantshini zomphakathi, bathi: “Laba bantu baliphazamisa kakhulu idolobha lakithi. + BangamaJuda, 21 bamemezela amasiko okungekho emthethweni ukuba siwamukele noma siwenze, njengoba thina singamaRoma.” 22 Isixuku sabavukela kanyekanye, kwathi izimantshi zomphakathi, ngemva kokubahlubula izingubo zabo, zakhipha umyalo wokuba bashaywe ngezinduku. + 23 Ngemva kokuba sebebashaye imivimbo eminingi, babaphonsa ejele, bayala unogada wasejele ukuba abagadisise. + 24 Ngenxa yokuthi wayethole lowo myalo, wabaphonsa ejele elingaphakathi, wabophela izinyawo zabo ezitokisini* waziqinisa.

25 Kodwa cishe phakathi nobusuku, uPawulu noSila babethandaza futhi bedumisa uNkulunkulu ngengoma, + iziboshwa zazibalalele. 26 Kungazelelwe kwaba khona ukuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba, kangangokuthi izisekelo zejele zazamazama. Ngaphezu kwalokho, yonke iminyango yavuleka ngaso leso sikhathi, izibopho zabo bonke zaqaqeka. + 27 Lapho unogada wasejele evuka, ebona ukuthi iminyango yejele ivulekile, wahosha inkemba yakhe esethi uyazibulala, ecabanga ukuthi iziboshwa zeqile. + 28 Kodwa uPawulu wamemeza kakhulu, ethi: “Ungazilimazi ngoba sikhona sonke!” 29 Ngakho wathi makukhanyiswe, wagijimela ngaphakathi, ebanjwe ukuthuthumela, wawa phansi phambi kukaPawulu noSila. 30 Wabakhiphela ngaphandle wathi: “Banumzane, yini okumele ngiyenze ukuze ngisindiswe?” 31 Bathi: “Yiba nokholo eNkosini uJesu, uzosindiswa wena nomndeni wakho.” + 32 Babe sebekhuluma izwi likaJehova* kuye nakubo bonke ababesendlini yakhe. 33 Wabathatha ngalelo hora lobusuku wageza izilonda zabo. Yena nabo bonke abomndeni wakhe babhapathizwa ngaphandle kokulibala. + 34 Wabangenisa endlini yakhe wabadekela itafula, wajabula kakhulu nabo bonke abomndeni wakhe njengoba ayesekholelwa kuNkulunkulu.

35 Lapho sekusile, izimantshi zomphakathi zathumela onogada ukuba bathi: “Khulula labo bantu.” 36 Unogada wasejele wabikela uPawulu amazwi abo: “Izimantshi zomphakathi zithumele umyalo wokuba nina nobabili nikhululwe. Ngakho phumani manje nihambe ngokuthula.” 37 Kodwa uPawulu wathi kubo: “Basibhambabule obala singalahlwanga yicala,* sibe singamaRoma, + basiphonsa ejele. Manje sebesikhipha ngasese? Akukwazi! Mabeze bona bazosikhipha.” 38 Onogada babikela izimantshi zomphakathi la mazwi. Zafikelwa ukwesaba lapho zizwa ukuthi laba bantu babengamaRoma. + 39 Ngakho zaya kubo zabancenga, ngemva kokubakhipha, zabacela ukuba bahambe kulelo dolobha. 40 Kodwa baphuma ejele baya emzini kaLidiya; lapho bebona abazalwane, babakhuthaza + base beyahamba.

17 Bahamba badabula i-Amfipholi ne-Apholoniya bafika eThesalonika, + lapho kwakukhona khona isinagoge lamaJuda. 2 Ngakho ngokwenqubo yakhe, uPawulu, + waya kubo ngaphakathi, wabonisana nabo ngemiBhalo + amasabatha amathathu, 3 echaza futhi ebonisa ngezinto ezilotshiwe ukuthi kwakudingekile ukuba uKristu ahlupheke + futhi avuke kwabafile, + ethi: “Lona nguye uKristu, lo Jesu engimmemezela kini.” 4 Ngenxa yalokho, abanye kubo baba amakholwa, bazihlanganisa noPawulu noSila, + kanye noquqaba olukhulu lwamaGreki olwalukhonza uNkulunkulu, nabaningana kwabesifazane abavelele benza kanjalo.

5 Kodwa amaJuda, eba nomona, *+ aqoqela ndawonye amadoda athile akhohlakele ayezulazula emakethe akha iviyo, benza kwaba nesiyaluyalu edolobheni. Bahlasela umuzi kaJasoni befuna ukuba uPawulu noSila balethwe phambi kweviyo. 6 Lapho bengabatholi, bahudula uJasoni nabanye abazalwane babayisa kubabusi bedolobha, bememeza bethi: “La madoda adale izinkinga yonke indawo asefikile nalapha, + 7 uJasoni uwamukele aba izivakashi zakhe. Wonke la madoda enza izinto eziphikisana nezinqumo zikaKhesari, ethi kukhona enye inkosi, uJesu.” + 8 Lapho bezwa lezi zinto, isixuku nababusi bedolobha bakhathazeka; 9 ngemva kokuthatha imali yebheyili* kuJasoni nabanye, babadedela.

10 Lapho nje kuba sebusuku, abazalwane bathumela uPawulu noSila eBhereya. Lapho befika khona, baya esinagogeni lamaJuda. 11 Laba babenengqondo enhle kunabaseThesalonika, ngoba bamukela izwi ngengqondo enokulangazela okukhulu, behlola ngokucophelela imiBhalo nsuku zonke ukuze bathole ukuthi zinjalo yini lezi zinto. 12 Ngakho abaningi kubo baba amakholwa, kwaba njalo nangabaningana kwabesifazane abangamaGreki abanedumela elihle namanye amadoda. 13 Kodwa lapho amaJuda aseThesalonika ezwa ukuthi uPawulu wayememezela izwi likaNkulunkulu naseBhereya, aya khona ukuze abaxabanise nesixuku. + 14 Ngokushesha abazalwane babe sebethumela uPawulu olwandle, + kodwa uSila noThimothewu basala lapho. 15 Nokho, labo ababephelezela uPawulu bahamba naye baze bafika e-Athene, bahamba ngemva kokuthola iziqondiso ezithi uSila noThimothewu + kufanele beze kuPawulu ngokushesha okukhulu.

16 Ngesikhathi uPawulu esabalindile e-Athene, wacasuka lapho ebona ukuthi idolobha ligcwele izithixo. 17 Ngakho wabonisana namaJuda esinagogeni kanye nabanye abantu ababekhonza uNkulunkulu emakethe nsuku zonke nalabo okwakwenzeka babe khona. 18 Kodwa ezinye izazi zefilosofi ezingama-Epikhuru nezingamaStoyiku zaphikisana naye, ezinye zazithi: “Ufuna ukuthini lo muntu okhulumela safuthi?” Abanye bethi: “Kubonakala sengathi umemezela onkulunkulu bezinye izizwe.” Lokhu kwakungenxa yokuthi wayememezela izindaba ezinhle zikaJesu novuko. + 19 Ngakho bambamba bamyisa e-Areyophagu, bethi: “Ungasitshela ukuthi iyini le mfundiso entsha okhuluma ngayo? 20 Ngoba usitshela izinto ezintsha esingazazi, sifuna ukwazi ukuthi zisho ukuthini lezi zinto.” 21 Eqinisweni, bonke abase-Athene nabezinye izizwe ababehlala* lapho babechitha isikhathi sabo sokuphumula bengenzi lutho ngaphandle kokuxoxa noma ukulalela okuthile okusha. 22 UPawulu wabe esema phakathi kwe-Areyophagu + wathi:

“Madoda ase-Athene, ngiyabona ukuthi kukho konke nibonakala nesaba onkulunkulu* kakhulu kunabanye abantu. + 23 Ngokwesibonelo, ngesikhathi ngidlula futhi ngibukisisa izinto enizikhonzayo,* ngithole ne-altare okuqoshwe kulo ukuthi ‘Kunkulunkulu Ongaziwa.’ Ngakho, lokho eningakwazi enikukhonzayo, yikho engikumemezela kini. 24 UNkulunkulu owenza umhlaba nakho konke okukuwo, iNkosi yezulu nomhlaba, + akahlali emathempelini enziwe ngezandla; + 25 futhi akakhonzwa ngezandla zabantu njengokungathi kukhona akudingayo, + ngoba yena ngokwakhe unika bonke abantu ukuphila nomoya + nazo zonke izinto. 26 Ngomuntu oyedwa + wenza ukuba zonke izizwe zabantu zihlale emhlabeni, + wanquma izikhathi ezimisiwe nendawo okuzohlala kuyo abantu, + 27 ukuze zifune uNkulunkulu, uma zingamfunisisa futhi zimthole ngempela, + nakuba eqinisweni engekude kulowo nalowo kithi. 28 Ngoba ngaye siyaphila, siyanyakaza futhi sikhona, njengoba nje nezinye izimbongi zakini zishilo zathi, ‘Sonke siyizingane* zakhe.’

29 “Ngakho njengoba siyizingane* zikaNkulunkulu, + akufanele sicabange ukuthi uMuntu Waphezulu unjengegolide noma isiliva noma itshe, njengokuthile okuqoshwe ngobuciko noma okuthile okwenziwe umuntu. + 30 Yiqiniso, uNkulunkulu uye wangazinaka izikhathi zokungazi okunjalo; + kodwa manje umemezela kubo bonke abantu kuyo yonke indawo ukuthi kufanele baphenduke. 31 Ngoba umise usuku ahlose ukwahlulela ngalo + abantu abasemhlabeni ngokulunga ngomuntu ammisile, wamvusa lo muntu kwabafile, ngokwenza kanjalo eqinisekisa bonke abantu ukuthi lolo suku luzofika nakanjani.” +

32 Lapho bezwa ngovuko lwabafile, abanye baqala ukuhleka usulu, + kuyilapho abanye bethi: “Sizobuye sikulalele ngesinye isikhathi.” 33 Ngakho uPawulu wabashiya, 34 kodwa abanye abantu bazihlanganisa naye baba amakholwa. Kubo kwakukhona noDiyonisiyu, owayengumahluleli wenkantolo yase-Areyophagu, nowesifazane ogama lakhe linguDamari, kanye nabanye ngaphandle kwabo.

18 Ngemva kwalokho wahamba e-Athene wafika eKorinte. 2 Wathola umJuda ogama lakhe lingu-Akhwila, + ongowokuzalwa ePhontu, owayesanda kufika evela e-Italiya ehamba noPrisila umkakhe, ngenxa yokuthi uKlawudiyu wayeyale wonke amaJuda ukuba ahambe eRoma. Ngakho waya kubo, 3 ngenxa yokuthi babenza umsebenzi ofanayo, wahlala emzini wabo, wasebenza nabo, + umsebenzi wabo kwakuwukwenza amatende. 4 Wayenikeza inkulumo* esinagogeni + masabatha onke + futhi ethonya amaJuda namaGreki.

5 Lapho uSila + noThimothewu + befika bevela eMakedoniya, uPawulu waba matasa kakhulu ngezwi likaNkulunkulu, efakaza kumaJuda ukuze abonise ukuthi uJesu unguKristu. + 6 Kodwa ayelokhu emphikisa uPawulu futhi emhlambalaza, wathintitha izingubo zakhe + wathi kuwo: “Igazi lenu malibe semakhanda enu. + Ngimsulwa. + Kusukela manje kuqhubeke ngizoya kubantu bezizwe.” + 7 Ngakho wasuka lapho* wangena endlini yomuntu ogama lakhe linguThithiyu Justu, isikhonzi sikaNkulunkulu, esasinendlu eceleni kwesinagoge. 8 Kodwa uKrispu, + isikhulu esengamele sesinagoge, wakholwa yiNkosi, kanye nawo wonke umndeni wakhe. Abaningi kwabaseKorinte abezwa izindaba ezinhle, bakholwa futhi babhapathizwa. 9 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ebusuku iNkosi yathi kuPawulu ngombono: “Ungesabi, kodwa qhubeka ukhuluma, ungathuli, 10 ngoba nginawe, + akekho umuntu ozokuhlasela akulimaze; ngoba nginabantu abaningi kuleli dolobha.” 11 Ngakho wahlala lapho unyaka nezinyanga eziyisithupha, efundisa izwi likaNkulunkulu phakathi kwabo.

12 Ngesikhathi uGaliyu engumphathi-sifundazwe* wase-Akhaya, amaJuda abambisana ahlasela uPawulu amyisa esihlalweni sokwahlulela, 13 ethi: “Lo muntu ugqugquzela abantu ukuba bakhonze uNkulunkulu ngendlela ephambene nomthetho.” 14 Kodwa lapho uPawulu esezokhuluma, uGaliyu wathi kumaJuda: “Ukube ngempela bekuwububi obuthile noma icala elibi, maJuda, bekuyofaneleka ukuba nginilalele ngesineke. 15 Kodwa uma niphikisana ngenkulumo nangamagama nangomthetho wenu, + ziboneleni nina. Angifisi ukuba umahluleli walezi zinto.” 16 Ngemva kwalokho wawaxosha esihlalweni sokwahlulela. 17 Ngakho wonke abamba uSostene, + isikhulu esengamele sesinagoge, amshaya phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela. Kodwa uGaliyu akenzanga lutho nhlobo ngalezi zinto.

18 Nokho, ngemva kokuhlala izinsuku eziningana, uPawulu wavalelisa kubazalwane wayesehamba ngomkhumbi waya eSiriya, ehamba noPrisila no-Akhwila. Wayegunde izinwele zakhe zaba mfushane eKenikreya, + ngoba wayenze isifungo. 19 Bafika e-Efesu, wabashiya lapho; kodwa yena wangena esinagogeni wabonisana namaJuda. + 20 Nakuba ayelokhu emcela ukuba ahlale isikhathi eside, akavumanga, 21 kodwa wavalelisa, wathi kuwo: “Ngiyophinde ngibuyele kini uma uJehova* ethanda.” Wahamba ngomkhumbi esuka e-Efesu 22 wehlela eKhesariya. Wakhuphuka* wabingelela ibandla, wayesehlela e-Antiyokiya. +

23 Ngemva kokuchitha isikhathi esithile lapho, wasuka waya ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene kulo lonke izwe laseGalathiya nelaseFrigiya, + eqinisa bonke abafundi. +

24 UmJuda othile ogama lakhe lingu-Apholo, + ongowokuzalwa e-Aleksandriya, wafika e-Efesu; wayeyindoda eqephuzayo eyayinolwazi oluhle lwemiBhalo. 25 Lo muntu wayefundiswe* indlela kaJehova* futhi evutha emoyeni, wayezikhuluma futhi ezifundisa ngokunembile izinto eziphathelene noJesu, kodwa wayejwayelene nobhapathizo lukaJohane kuphela. 26 Wakhuluma ngesibindi esinagogeni, lapho uPrisila no-Akhwila + bemuzwa, bamthatha base bemchazela indlela kaNkulunkulu ngokunembe nakakhulu. 27 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngenxa yokuthi wayefuna ukuwelela e-Akhaya, abazalwane babhalela abafundi, bebanxusa ukuba bamamukele ngomusa. Ngakho lapho efika khona, wabasiza kakhulu labo ababekholwe ngenxa yomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu; 28 ngoba wabonisa ngentshiseko ukuthi amaJuda ayenephutha futhi wakwenza obala lokho, ebonisa ngemiBhalo ukuthi uJesu unguKristu. +

19 Phakathi nalezo zenzakalo, ngesikhathi u-Apholo + eseKorinte, uPawulu wadabula izifunda ezimaphakathi nezwe wehlela e-Efesu. + Wathola abafundi abathile lapho, 2 wathi kubo: “Nawuthola yini umoya ongcwele lapho niba amakholwa?” + Bamphendula bathi: “Asikaze sizwe nakuzwa ukuthi kukhona umoya ongcwele.” 3 Wathi: “Pho kanti nabhapathizwa ngani?” Bathi: “Ngobhapathizo lukaJohane.” + 4 UPawulu wathi: “UJohane wabhapathiza ngobhapathizo olubonisa ukuphenduka, + etshela abantu ukuthi abakholwe yilowo owayeza emva kwakhe, + okuwukuthi, uJesu.” 5 Lapho bezwa lokhu, babhapathizwa egameni leNkosi uJesu. 6 Lapho uPawulu ebabeka izandla, umoya ongcwele wehlela phezu kwabo, + baqala ukukhuluma izilimi okungezona ezabo nokuprofetha. + 7 Sebebonke, babengamadoda angaba ngu-12.

8 Engena esinagogeni, + wakhuluma ngesibindi izinyanga ezintathu, enikeza izinkulumo futhi ebonisana nabantu ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ngendlela ekholisayo. + 9 Kodwa lapho abanye beba nenkani* bengafuni ukukholwa, bekhuluma kabi ngeNdlela *+ phambi kwesixuku, wasuka kubo + futhi wahlukanisa abafundi nabo, enikeza izinkulumo nsuku zonke ehholo lesikole likaThiranu. 10 Lokhu kwenzeka iminyaka emibili, kangangokuthi bonke ababehlala esifundazweni sase-Asiya balizwa izwi leNkosi, amaJuda namaGreki.

11 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka enza izimangaliso ezinkulu ngezandla zikaPawulu, + 12 kangangokuthi ngisho nezindwangu namaphinifa okwakuthinte umzimba wakhe kwakuthathwa kuyiswe kubantu abagulayo, + izifo zibayeke, nemimoya emibi iphume. + 13 Kodwa abanye kumaJuda ayehamba ezulazula ekhipha amademoni, nabo bazama ukusebenzisa igama leNkosi uJesu kulabo ababenemimoya emibi; babethi: “Ngiyakuyala ngoJesu uPawulu ashumayela ngaye.” + 14 Kwakukhona amadodana ayisikhombisa ompristi omkhulu ongumJuda ogama lakhe linguSkeva ayenza lokhu. 15 Kodwa umoya omubi wawaphendula wathi: “Ngiyamazi uJesu + futhi ngijwayelene noPawulu; + nina-ke ningobani?” 16 Ngemva kwalokho umuntu owayenomoya omubi wagxumela kuwo, wawehlula wonke, wawanqoba, aze abaleka kuleyo ndlu enqunu futhi elimele. 17 Lokhu kwaziwa yibo bonke, amaJuda namaGreki ayehlala e-Efesu; bonke bafikelwa ukwesaba, igama leNkosi uJesu laqhubeka lidunyiswa. 18 Abaningi kulabo ababeye baba amakholwa babefika bavume imikhuba* yabo obala. 19 Ngempela abaningana kulabo ababenza ubuciko bemilingo baqoqela izincwadi zabo ndawonye bazishisa phambi kwawo wonke umuntu. + Babala ukuthi zingathengiswa ngamalini, bathola ukuthi inani lazo lilingana nezinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-50 000. 20 Ngakho izwi likaJehova* laqhubeka likhula futhi linqoba ngendlela enamandla. +

21 Lapho lezi zinto sezenzekile, uPawulu wanquma* ukuthi ngemva kokudabula iMakedoniya + ne-Akhaya, uzoya eJerusalema. + Wathi: “Ngemva kokuya lapho, kumele ngibone neRoma.” + 22 Ngakho wathumela eMakedoniya ababili kulabo ababemkhonza, uThimothewu + no-Erastu, + kodwa yena wahlala isikhathi esithile esifundazweni sase-Asiya.

23 Ngaleso sikhathi kwavela ukuphazamiseka okukhulu + ngokuqondene neNdlela. + 24 Ngoba umuntu ogama lakhe linguDemetriyu, umkhandi wesiliva, owayenza izindawo zokukhonza zesiliva zika-Arthemisi, wayenikeza izingcweti inzuzo enkulu. + 25 Waziqoqela ndawonye kanye nabanye ababenza izinto ezinjalo, wathi: “Madoda, nazi kahle ukuthi sichunyiswa yilo msebenzi. 26 Manje seniyabona futhi niyezwa ukuthi lo Pawulu usithonye kanjani isixuku esikhulu sakholelwa yilokho akushilo, ukuthi onkulunkulu abenziwe ngezandla ababona onkulunkulu bangempela, + lokhu akakwenzanga e-Efesu + kuphela kodwa cishe kuso sonke isifundazwe sase-Asiya. 27 Ngaphezu kwalokho, kukhona ingozi hhayi nje kuphela eyokuthi leli bhizinisi lethu lizoba nedumela elibi, kodwa neyokuthi ithempeli likankulunkulukazi omkhulu u-Arthemisi lizobhekwa njengelingelutho, yena lo okhonzwa yiso sonke isifundazwe sase-Asiya nangumhlaba owakhiwe uzophelelwa ubukhazikhazi bakhe.” 28 La madoda athi angezwa lokhu athukuthela kakhulu, ayesememeza athi: “Mkhulu u-Arthemisi wabase-Efesu!”

29 Ngakho idolobha lagcwala isiyaluyalu, bonke batheleka enkundleni yemidlalo, badonsa uGayu no-Aristarku + bahamba nabo, abangabaseMakedoniya, ababehamba noPawulu. 30 UPawulu wafuna ukungena ngaphakathi kubantu, kodwa abafundi abamvumelanga. 31 Ngisho nabanye kubaphathi bemikhosi nemidlalo, ababenobungani kuye, bathumela umyalezo kuye, bemncenga ukuba angazifaki engozini ngokungena enkundleni yemidlalo. 32 Eqinisweni abanye babememeza besho okunye nabanye besho okunye; ngoba umhlangano wawunesiyaluyalu, iningi labo lalingasazi isizathu sokuhlangana kwabo. 33 Ngakho bakhipha u-Aleksandru esixukwini, amaJuda emphushela phambili, u-Aleksandru wathulisa abantu ngesandla efuna ukuziphendulela kubo. 34 Kodwa lapho beqaphela ukuthi ungumJuda, bonke bamemeza kanyekanye cishe amahora amabili bethi: “Mkhulu u-Arthemisi wabase-Efesu!”

35 Lapho ekugcineni umgcini-mibhalo wedolobha esesithulisile isixuku, wathi: “Madoda ase-Efesu, ubani ngempela kubantu ongazi ukuthi idolobha labase-Efesu lingumgcini wethempeli lika-Arthemisi omkhulu nowomfanekiso owawa ezulwini? 36 Njengoba lezi zinto zingenakuphikwa, kufanele nizole ningenzi ngamawala. 37 Ngoba niwalethe lapha la madoda angebona abaphangi bamathempeli noma abahlambalazi bakankulunkulukazi wethu. 38 Ngakho uma uDemetriyu + nezingcweti ezikanye naye benodaba ngothile, zikhona izinsuku zokuthetha amacala futhi bakhona abaphathi-zifundazwe;* mabamangalelane. 39 Kodwa uma nifuna okungale kwalokho, kumele kunqunywe emhlanganweni ovamile. 40 Ngoba ngempela sisengozini yokumangalelwa ngokuvukela umbuso ngendaba yanamuhla, njengoba zingekho izizathu esingaziveza zokuba kube nalesi sixuku esixokozelayo.” 41 Ngemva kokusho lezi zinto, wasihlakaza isixuku.

20 Lapho isiyaluyalu sesinciphile, uPawulu wathumela ukuba kulandwe abafundi, ngemva kokubakhuthaza nokubavalelisa, wathatha uhambo oluya eMakedoniya. 2 Ngemva kokudabula lezo zifunda nokusho izinto eziningi ezikhuthazayo kwababelapho, wafika eGrisi. 3 Wahlala izinyanga ezintathu khona, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi amaJuda amakhela uzungu + lapho nje esezogibela umkhumbi aye eSiriya, wanquma ukubuya adabule eMakedoniya. 4 Wayehambisana noSophatru indodana kaPhiru waseBhereya, u-Aristarku + noSekhundu baseThesalonika, uGayu waseDerbe, uThimothewu, + noThikhiku + noTrofimu + basesifundazweni sase-Asiya. 5 Laba bahamba phambili basilinda eTrowa; 6 kodwa thina sahamba ngomkhumbi sisuka eFilipi ngemva kwezinsuku zeSinkwa Esingenamvubelo, + safika kubo eTrowa zingakapheli izinsuku ezinhlanu, sahlala khona izinsuku eziyisikhombisa.

7 Ngosuku lokuqala lwesonto, lapho sihlangene ndawonye ukuze sidle, uPawulu wethula inkulumo kubo, njengoba ayezohamba ngakusasa; inkulumo yakhe yadonsa kwaze kwaba phakathi kwamabili. 8 Kwakukhona izibani eziningana ekamelweni eliphezulu lapho sasihlangene khona. 9 Insizwa egama layo lingu-Evitiku, eyayihlezi efasiteleni yazunywa ubuthongo obukhulu ngesikhathi uPawulu elokhu ekhuluma, ibanjwe ubuthongo, yawela phansi isuka esitezi sesithathu bayithola isifile. 10 Kodwa uPawulu wehlela phansi, waziphonsa phezu kwayo wayanga + wathi: “Yekani ukukhathazeka ngoba uyaphila.” + 11 Wabe esekhuphukela phezulu waqala ukudla.* Waqhubeka exoxa isikhathi eside impela, kwaze kwaba sentathakusa, wayeseyahamba. 12 Ngakho umfana bamthatha ephila futhi baduduzeka kakhulu.

13 Ngemva kwalokho sahamba phambili saya emkhunjini saqala uhambo oluya e-Asu, lapho sasihlose ukugibelisa khona uPawulu, ngoba ngemva kokunikeza iziyalo ngalokhu, yena wayehlose ukuya khona ngezinyawo. 14 Lapho esifica e-Asu, samgibelisa saya eMithilene. 15 Ngakusasa, sasuka lapho ngomkhumbi, safika ngaphesheya kweKhiyo, kodwa ngosuku olulandela lolo safika eSamo, kwathi ngosuku olulandelayo safika eMilethu. 16 UPawulu wayenqume ukudlula e-Efesu + ngomkhumbi ukuze angachithi isikhathi esifundazweni sase-Asiya, ngoba wayejahe ukufika eJerusalema + ngosuku loMkhosi WePhentekoste uma ayengase akwazi.

17 Nokho, eseMilethu wathumela umyalezo e-Efesu wabiza amadoda amadala ebandla. 18 Lapho efika kuye, wathi kuwo: “Niyazi kahle indlela engaziphatha ngayo phakathi kwenu kusukela ngosuku lokuqala engafika ngalo esifundazweni sase-Asiya, + 19 ngakhonza iNkosi ngokuzithoba *+ okukhulu nangezinyembezi, ngehlelwa nayizilingo eziningi ngenxa yokuthi amaJuda ayengakhela uzungu, 20 kuyilapho ngingagodlanga ukunitshela noma yini ezintweni eziyinzuzo* nokunifundisa obala + nasendlini ngendlu. + 21 Kodwa kumaJuda nakumaGreki nganikeza ubufakazi obuphelele ngokuphathelene nokuphendukela + kuNkulunkulu nokholo eNkosini yethu uJesu. + 22 Manje ngiya eJerusalema ngiholwa* umoya, nakuba ngingazi ukuthi kuzokwenzekani kimi khona, 23 ngaphandle kokuthi umoya ongcwele ufakaza kimi ngokuphindaphindiwe edolobheni nedolobha, uthi ngilindelwe ukuboshwa nezinsizi. + 24 Noma kunjalo, ukuphila* kwami angikubheki njengokubalulekile* kimi, uma nje ngingaqeda inkambo yami + nenkonzo engayamukela eNkosini uJesu, yokunikeza ubufakazi obuphelele ngezindaba ezinhle zomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu.

25 “Manje bhekani! Ngiyazi ukuthi akekho phakathi kwenu nina engashumayela kini uMbuso oyophinde abone ubuso bami. 26 Ngakho nginicela ukuba nibe ngofakazi kulo kanye lolu suku bokuthi ngimsulwa egazini labo bonke abantu, + 27 ngoba angigodlanga ukunitshela yonke injongo kaNkulunkulu. + 28 Ziqapheleni nina + nawo wonke umhlambi umoya ongcwele onimise phakathi kwawo ukuba nibe ababonisi, + ukuze neluse ibandla likaNkulunkulu, + alithenga ngegazi leNdodana yakhe. + 29 Ngiyazi ukuthi ngemva kokuhamba kwami kuzongena izimpisi ezicindezelayo phakathi kwenu + futhi ngeke ziwuphathe ngozwela umhlambi, 30 naphakathi kwenu imbala, kuzovela amadoda akhulume izinto ezisontekile ukuze amonyule abafundi ukuba bawalandele. +

31 “Ngakho-ke hlalani niphapheme, nikhumbule ukuthi iminyaka emithathu, + ubusuku nemini, angiyekanga ukuyala ngamunye wenu ngezinyembezi. 32 Manje ngininikela kuNkulunkulu nasezwini lomusa wakhe omkhulu, okuyizwi elinganakha futhi lininike ifa phakathi kwabo bonke abangcwelisiwe. + 33 Angifisanga siliva nagolide nangubo yamuntu. + 34 Nina ngokwenu niyazi ukuthi ngisebenzile ngezandla zami ukuze nginakekele izidingo zami + nezalabo abanami. 35 Kukho konke, nginibonisile ngezenzo zami + indlela okumele nisize ngayo ababuthakathaka, nikhumbule amazwi eNkosi uJesu, athi: ‘Kukhona injabulo eyengeziwe ekupheni + kunasekwamukeleni.’ ”

36 Esezishilo lezi zinto, waguqa phansi nabo bonke wathandaza. 37 Bonke bakhala kakhulu impela, bamanga ngothando uPawulu* bamqabula,* 38 ngoba babezwa ubuhlungu ikakhulukazi ngezwi ayelikhulumile lokuthi babengeke baphinde babubone ubuso bakhe. + Ngakho bamphelezela waya emkhunjini.

21 Ngemva kokuhlukana nabo kabuhlungu* nokuhamba ngomkhumbi, sathatha indlela eqondile safika eKhose, ngosuku olulandelayo saya eRodu, ukusuka lapho saya ePathara. 2 Lapho sithola umkhumbi owawuwelela eFenike, sagibela sahamba. 3 Ngemva kokubona isiqhingi saseKhupro, sasishiya ngemuva ngakwesobunxele* saqhubeka ngomkhumbi saya eSiriya, sase sifika eThire, lapho umkhumbi wawuzothulula khona umthwalo wawo. 4 Sabafuna sabathola abafundi futhi sahlala khona izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. Kodwa ngenxa yalokho okwambulwa umoya ongcwele, bamtshela ngokuphindaphindiwe uPawulu ukuba angalubeki unyawo lwakhe eJerusalema. + 5 Lapho sesiphelile isikhathi sethu kuleyo ndawo, sasuka sangena indlela, kodwa bonke, kanye nabesifazane nabantwana, basiphelezela saze saphumela ngaphandle kwedolobha. Saguqa phansi ogwini, sathandaza 6 savalelisana. Sabe sesigibela emkhunjini, bona babuyela emakhaya.

7 Sasuka eThire ngomkhumbi safika ePhetolemayi, sabingelela abazalwane sahlala usuku olulodwa nabo. 8 Ngosuku olulandelayo sasuka saya eKhesariya, sangena endlini kaFiliphu umvangeli, owayengomunye wamadoda ayisikhombisa, + sahlala naye. 9 Lo muntu wayenamadodakazi amane angashadile,* ayeprofetha. + 10 Kodwa ngemva kokuba sesihlale izinsukwana lapho, umprofethi ogama lakhe lingu-Agabu + wehla evela eJudiya. 11 Wafika kithi wathatha ibhande likaPawulu, wazibopha izinyawo nezandla wathi: “Usho kanje umoya ongcwele, ‘Umnikazi waleli bhande, amaJuda azombopha ngale ndlela eJerusalema, + amnikele kubantu bezizwe.’ ” + 12 Lapho sikuzwa lokhu, thina nabantu ababelapho, samncenga ukuba angakhuphukeli eJerusalema. 13 UPawulu waphendula wathi: “Nikhalelani nisenza buthaka isinqumo sami?* Qinisekani ngalokhu, angilungele ukuboshwa nje kuphela kodwa ngilungele nokufa eJerusalema ngenxa yegama leNkosi uJesu.” + 14 Lapho engavimbeki, sayeka ukuphikisana naye* sathi: “Intando kaJehova* mayenzeke.”

15 Ngemva kwalezi zinsuku salungiselela uhambo, salibangisa eJerusalema. 16 Abanye kubafundi baseKhesariya nabo bahamba nathi, basiyisa kuMnasoni waseKhupro, umfundi okwabokuqala, esasizoba izivakashi zakwakhe. 17 Lapho sifika eJerusalema, abafowethu basamukela ngenjabulo. 18 Kodwa ngosuku olulandelayo uPawulu waya nathi kuJakobe, + wonke amadoda amadala ayekhona. 19 Wawabingelela, wayeselandisa ngokuningiliziwe izinto uNkulunkulu ayezenze kwabezizwe ngenkonzo yakhe.

20 Ngemva kokuzwa lokhu, akhazimulisa uNkulunkulu, kodwa athi kuye: “Mfowethu, uyabona ukuthi ziningi kangakanani izinkulungwane zamakholwa akhona kumaJuda, wonke ashisekela uMthetho. + 21 Kodwa ezwe amahemuhemu ngawe okuthi ubufundisa wonke amaJuda phakathi kwezizwe ukuhlubuka kuMose, uwatshela ukuthi angabasoki abantwana bawo futhi angawalandeli amasiko. + 22 Yini okumele yenziwe? Nakanjani bazozwa ukuthi ufikile. 23 Ngakho yenza lokhu esikutshela kona: Sinamadoda amane enze isifungo. 24 Wathathe la madoda, uzihlanze nawo ngokwesiko futhi unakekele izindleko zawo, ukuze agunde amakhanda awo. Uma wenza lokho, bonke bazokwazi ukuthi awekho la mahemuhemu abawatshelwe ngawe, kodwa uhamba ngokuhlelekile futhi uyawugcina uMthetho. + 25 Ngokuqondene namakholwa avela kwabezizwe, siwabhalele isinqumo sethu sawathumelela sona, sokuthi kufanele adede ezintweni ezihlatshelwe izithixo, + egazini, + ezintweni eziklinyiwe *+ nasekuziphatheni kabi ngokocansi.” *+

26 UPawulu wabe esewathatha la madoda ngosuku olulandelayo wazihlanza kanye nawo ngokwesiko, + wangena ethempelini ukuze asho ukuthi zizophela nini izinsuku zokuhlanzwa ngokwesiko nokuthi umnikelo womuntu ngamunye kubo uyolethwa nini.

27 Lapho izinsuku eziyisikhombisa sezizophela, amaJuda ase-Asiya, lapho embona ethempelini, axokozelisa sonke isixuku, ambamba, 28 ememeza ethi: “Bantu bakwa-Israyeli, sizani! Nangu lo muntu ofundisa bonke abantu kuyo yonke indawo izinto ezingavumelani nesizwe sethu noMthetho wethu kanye nale ndawo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ungenise ngisho namaGreki ethempelini wayingcolisa le ndawo engcwele.” + 29 Ngaphambili ayebone uTrofimu + wase-Efesu enaye edolobheni, acabanga ukuthi uPawulu wayemngenise ethempelini. 30 Lonke idolobha laba nesiyaluyalu, abantu beza begijima, babamba uPawulu bamhudulela ngaphandle kwethempeli, ngokushesha iminyango yavalwa. 31 Lapho bezama ukumbulala, umlawuli webutho wathola umbiko othi kunesiyaluyalu kulo lonke iJerusalema; 32 ngaso leso sikhathi wathatha amasosha nezikhulu zamabutho wagijima wehlela kubo. Lapho bebona umlawuli wamabutho namasosha, bayeka ukushaya uPawulu.

33 Umlawuli wamabutho wasondela wamthatha wamyisa ejele, wayala ukuba aboshwe ngamaketanga amabili; + wabe esebuza ukuthi ungubani nokuthi wayenzeni. 34 Kodwa abanye esixukwini babememeza okunye nabanye bememeza okunye. Ngakho, naye engakwazi ukuthola ukuthi kwakwenzekeni ngempela ngenxa yokuxokozela, wayala ukuba alethwe ekamu lamasosha. 35 Kodwa lapho efika ezitebhisini, kwadingeka ukuba athwalwe amasosha ngenxa yobudlova besixuku, 36 ngoba isixuku sabantu sasilokhu silandela, simemeza sithi: “Mbulaleni!”

37 Lapho esezoyiswa ekamu lamasosha, uPawulu wathi kumlawuli wamabutho: “Ngivumelekile yini ukusho okuthile kuwe?” Wathi: “Uyakwazi ukukhuluma isiGreki? 38 Awuyena yini lo mGibhithe okwathi esikhathini esidlule wabhebhezela ukuvukela umbuso futhi waholela ngaphandle ehlane amadoda angababulali angu-4 000?” 39 UPawulu wathi: “Eqinisweni, ngingumJuda + waseTarsu + eKhilikhiya, isakhamuzi sedolobha elaziwayo. Ngakho ngiyakuncenga, ngivumele ngikhulume nalaba bantu.” 40 Ngemva kokumvumela, uPawulu, emi ezitebhisini, wathulisa abantu ngesandla. Lapho umsindo sewehlile, wakhuluma nabo ngolimi lwesiHebheru, + wathi:

22 “Madoda, bafowethu nawobaba, yizwani ukuziphendulela kwami kini manje.” + 2 Nokho, lapho bezwa ukuthi ukhuluma nabo ngolimi lwesiHebheru, bathula nakakhulu, wathi: 3 “Mina ngingumJuda, + owazalelwa eTarsu laseKhilikhiya, + kodwa owafundiswa kuleli dolobha nguGamaliyeli, + efundiswa ngendlela eqinile yoMthetho wokhokho, + ngishisekela uNkulunkulu njengoba nje nani nonke ninjalo namuhla. + 4 Ngabashushisa abantu bale Ndlela kwaze kwaba seqophelweni lokuba bafe, ngibopha futhi nginikela amadoda nabesifazane emajele, + 5 njengoba umpristi ophakeme nawo wonke umkhandlu wamadoda amadala bengangifakazela. Ngathola kubo nezincwadi eziya kubafowethu eDamaseku, ngangisendleleni ukuze labo ababelapho ngibalethe eJerusalema beboshiwe ukuze bajeziswe.

6 “Kodwa lapho ngihamba ngisondela eDamaseku, cishe emini bebade, kungazelelwe kwabanika nxazonke ukukhanya okukhulu okuvela ezulwini, + 7 ngawela phansi, ngezwa izwi lithi kimi: ‘Sawulu, Sawulu, ungishushiselani?’ 8 Ngaphendula ngathi: ‘Ungubani Nkosi?’ Yathi kimi: ‘NginguJesu umNazaretha, omshushisayo.’ 9 Amadoda ayenami akubona ukukhanya, kodwa awalizwanga izwi lalowo owayekhuluma nami. 10 Ngathi: ‘Kufanele ngenzeni Nkosi?’ INkosi yathi kimi: ‘Vuka, uye eDamaseku, usulapho uzotshelwa ngakho konke omiselwe ukukwenza.’ + 11 Kodwa njengoba ngangingaboni lutho ngenxa yenkazimulo yalokho kukhanya, ngafika eDamaseku ngiholwa yilabo ababenami.

12 “U-Ananiya, indoda ezinikele ngokuvumelana noMthetho, ekhulunyelwa kahle yiwo wonke amaJuda ahlala lapho, 13 weza kimi. Wama eceleni kwami wathi kimi: ‘Sawulu, mfowethu, phinda ubone!’ Ngaso leso sikhathi ngaphakamisa amehlo ngambona. + 14 Wathi: ‘UNkulunkulu wokhokho bethu ukukhethile ukuba wazi intando yakhe, ubone olungile + futhi uzwe amazwi awakhulume ngomlomo wakhe, 15 ngoba uzoba ufakazi wakhe kubo bonke abantu, wezinto ozibonile nozizwile. + 16 Manje kungani ulokhu ubamba uyeka? Vuka, ubhapathizwe, uhlanze izono zakho + ngokubiza igama lakhe.’ +

17 “Kodwa lapho sengibuyele eJerusalema + futhi ngithandaza ethempelini, ngabona umbono, 18 ngambona ethi kimi: ‘Shesha uphume eJerusalema masinyane, ngoba ngeke babamukele ubufakazi bakho ngami.’ + 19 Ngathi: ‘Nkosi, bona ngokwabo bazi kahle ukuthi ngangibafaka ejele, ngibabhambabula emasinagogeni labo abakholwa nguwe; + 20 futhi lapho igazi likaStefanu ufakazi wakho lichithwa, ngangilapho ngikwamukela lokho futhi ngigade izingubo zangaphandle zalabo ababembulala.’ + 21 Kodwa wathi kimi: ‘Hamba ngoba ngizokuthuma ezizweni ezikude.’ ” +

22 Baqhubeka bemlalele kwaze kwaba yilapho esho lawo mazwi. Ngemva kwalokho bamemeza, bathi: “Umuntu onjena makasuswe emhlabeni ngoba akufanele aphile!” 23 Ngenxa yokuthi babememeza, bephonsa izingubo zabo zangaphandle ngapha nangapha, bephonsa nothuli emoyeni, + 24 umlawuli wamabutho wayala ukuba uPawulu angeniswe ekamu lamasosha, wathi kufanele aphenywe ngokubhaxabulwa, ukuze athole ukuthi yini ngempela ebenza bamemeze ngale ndlela ngoPawulu. 25 Kodwa lapho sebembophile ukuze abhaxabulwe, uPawulu wathi esikhulwini sebutho esasimi lapho: “Ingabe kungokomthetho ukuba nibhaxabule umuntu ongumRoma* engalahlwanga yicala?” *+ 26 Lapho isikhulu sebutho sizwa lokhu, saya kumlawuli wamabutho sabika, sathi: “Yini ohlose ukuyenza? Ngoba lo muntu ungumRoma.” 27 Ngakho umlawuli wamabutho wasondela kuye wathi: “Ngitshele, ungumRoma yini wena?” Wathi: “Yebo.” 28 Umlawuli wamabutho waphendula wathi: “Ngawathenga ngemali enkulu la malungelo okuba yisakhamuzi.” UPawulu wathi: “Mina-ke ngawathola lapho ngizalwa.” +

29 Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, amadoda ayesezomphenya ngesihluku asuka kuye; umlawuli wamabutho wesaba lapho ethola ukuthi wayengumRoma nokuthi wayembophe ngamaketanga. +

30 Ngosuku olulandelayo, ngenxa yokuthi wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi kahle hle amaJuda ayembekelani icala, wamkhulula, wayala abapristi abakhulu nayo yonke iSanhedrini ukuba bahlangane. Wabe esehlisa uPawulu wammisa phakathi kwabo. +

23 Egqolozele iSanhedrini, uPawulu wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngiziphathe ngonembeza omsulwa ngokuphelele + phambi kukaNkulunkulu kuze kube namuhla.” 2 Umpristi ophakeme u-Ananiya wayala labo ababemi ngakuye ukuba bamshaye emlonyeni. 3 UPawulu wathi kuye: “UNkulunkulu uzokushaya wena mzenzisi.* Ingabe uhlalele ukungahlulela ngokuvumelana noMthetho, ngesikhathi esifanayo weqe uMthetho ngokuyala ukuba ngishaywe?” 4 Labo ababemi lapho bathi: “Uthuka umpristi ophakeme kaNkulunkulu?” 5 UPawulu wathi: “Bafowethu, bengingazi ukuthi ungumpristi ophakeme. Ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi, ‘Ungakhulumi kabi ngombusi wabantu bakini.’ ” +

6 UPawulu ebona ukuthi enye ingxenye yayingabaSadusi kodwa enye ingabaFarisi, wamemeza kuyiSanhedrini wathi: “Madoda, bafowethu, ngingumFarisi, + indodana yabaFarisi. Ngahlulelwa ngenxa yethemba lovuko lwabafile.” 7 Ngenxa yokusho lokhu, kwavela ukungezwani phakathi kwabaFarisi nabaSadusi, bahlukana phakathi. 8 Ngoba abaSadusi bathi akukho vuko nangelosi namoya, kodwa abaFarisi bakwamukela* konke. + 9 Ngakho kwaba nesiyaluyalu esikhulu, abanye kubabhali beqembu labaFarisi basukuma baphikisana kwashunqa uthuli, bethi: “Asitholi lutho olubi kulo muntu, kodwa uma umoya noma ingelosi yakhuluma naye +—.” 10 Lapho ukungezwani kuba kukhulu, umlawuli wamabutho wesaba ukuthi babezombulala uPawulu, ngakho wayala amasosha ukuba ehle amhlwithe phakathi kwabo amlethe ekamu lamasosha.

11 Kodwa ngobusuku obulandelayo iNkosi yama ngakuye yathi: “Yiba nesibindi! + Ngoba njengoba nje ubufakaza ngokugcwele ngami eJerusalema, kanjalo kumele ufakaze futhi naseRoma.” +

12 Lapho kusa, amaJuda akha uzungu, afunga ukuthi ngeke adle noma aphuze aze ambulale uPawulu. 13 Ayengaphezu kuka-40 amadoda akha lolu zungu futhi enza isifungo. 14 La madoda aya kubapristi abakhulu nasemadodeni amadala afike athi: “Senze isifungo sokuthi ngeke sidle lutho nhlobo size simbulale uPawulu. 15 Ngakho nina kanye neSanhedrini kufanele nazise umlawuli wamabutho ukuthi kumele amehlisele kini njengokungathi nifuna ukulihlolisisa ngokwengeziwe icala lakhe. Kodwa ngaphambi kokuba asondele, sizobe sesikulungele ukumbulala.”

16 Nokho, umshana kaPawulu wezwa ngozungu ababelwakha, wangena ekamu lamasosha wabikela uPawulu. 17 UPawulu wabe esebiza esinye sezikhulu zebutho wathi: “Hambisa le nsizwa kumlawuli wamabutho, ngoba inokuthile efuna ukumbikela kona.” 18 Ngakho sayithatha sayihambisa kumlawuli wamabutho, sathi: “Isiboshwa esinguPawulu singibizile sangicela ukuba ngilethe le nsizwa kuwe ngoba inokuthile efuna ukukutshela kona.” 19 Umlawuli wamabutho wayibamba ngesandla wayoyibuza ngasese: “Yini le ofuna ukungibikela yona?” 20 Yathi: “AmaJuda avumelene ngokuba akucele wehlisele uPawulu kuyiSanhedrini kusasa, njengokungathi ahlose ukuzwa okwengeziwe ngecala lakhe. + 21 Kodwa ungawavumeli ukuba akuthonye, ngoba amadoda angu-40 kuwo amcuthele, enze isifungo sokuthi ngeke adle noma aphuze engakambulali; + asemi ngomumo manje, alindele ukuba wamukele isicelo sawo.” 22 Ngakho umlawuli wamabutho wayidedela le nsizwa ngemva kokuyiyala ethi: “Ungatsheli muntu ukuthi ungitshelile lokhu.”

23 Wabiza izikhulu zebutho ezimbili wathi kuzo: “Lungisani amasosha angu-200 ukuba amashe aze afike eKhesariya, kanye nabagibeli bamahhashi abangu-70 nabaphatha imikhonto abangu-200, ngehora lesithathu lobusuku.* 24 Lungisani amahhashi ukuze nigibelise uPawulu nimyise kuFeliksi umbusi ngokuphepha.” 25 Wabhala incwadi ethi:

26 “Mina Klawudiyu Lisiya, ngikubhalela le ncwadi wena Mhlonishwa, Mbusi Feliksi: Ngiyabingelela! 27 Le ndoda yabanjwa amaJuda futhi ayesezoyibulala, kodwa ngafika ngokushesha namasosha ami ngayisindisa, *+ ngoba ngezwa ukuthi ingumRoma. + 28 Njengoba ngangifuna ukuthola ukuthi kungani ayeyimangalela, ngayehlisela kuyiSanhedrini yawo. + 29 Ngayithola ibekwa icala ngezinto eziphathelene noMthetho wawo, + kodwa ingamangalelwa nangento eyodwa eyenza ifanelwe ukufa noma ukuboshwa. 30 Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi ngitsheliwe ngozungu eyakhelwe lona, + ngiyithumela kuwe njengamanje futhi ngiyala labo abayimangalele ukuba balethe leli cala kuwe.”

31 Ngakho la masosha amthatha uPawulu + njengoba ayeyaliwe amyisa e-Antipatheri ebusuku. 32 Ngosuku olulandelayo avumela abagibeli bamahhashi ukuba baqhubekele phambili naye, wona abuyela ekamu lamasosha. 33 Abagibeli bamahhashi bangena eKhesariya banikeza umbusi incwadi base bethula noPawulu kuye. 34 Wayifunda, wabuza ukuthi uvela kusiphi isifundazwe, wathola ukuthi ungowaseKhilikhiya. + 35 Wathi: “Ngizokunika ithuba lokuba ukhulume konke lapho abakumangalele sebefikile.” + Wayala ukuba agcinwe esigodlweni sikaHerode agadwe.

24 Ezinsukwini ezinhlanu kamuva umpristi ophakeme u-Ananiya + wehla namanye amadoda amadala nesikhulumi saseningini,* esigama laso linguTertulu, bamangalela uPawulu kumbusi. + 2 Lapho ebizwa, uTertulu wammangalela, ethi:

“Njengoba sijabulela ukuthula okukhulu ngenxa yakho futhi kwenzeka izinguquko kulesi sizwe ngenxa yokuhlela kwakho izinto kusengaphambili, 3 siyakuqaphela lokhu futhi sibonga kakhulu ngazo zonke izikhathi nakuzo zonke izindawo, Mhlonishwa Feliksi. 4 Kodwa ukuze ngingakubambezeli kakhulu, ngiyakuncenga ukuba usilalele kafushane ngomusa wakho. 5 Ngoba sithole ukuthi le ndoda iwuhlupho, + ibhebhezela ukuvukela umbuso + phakathi kwawo wonke amaJuda emhlabeni wonke, ingumholi weqembu lenkolo lamaNazaretha. + 6 Yazama nokungcolisa ithempeli, ngakho sayibamba. + 7 *—— 8 Lapho uyiphenya uzozithola zonke lezi zinto esiyimangalela ngazo.”

9 Khona manjalo amaJuda nawo ahlanganyela kulokhu kuhlasela, egomela ngokuthi lezi zinto ziyiqiniso. 10 Lapho umbusi ekhomba uPawulu ngekhanda ukuba akhulume, waphendula:

“Njengoba ngazi kahle ukuthi ubungumahluleli walesi sizwe iminyaka eminingi, ngiziphendulela ngokunganqikazi. + 11 Njengoba nawe ungakuqinisekisa lokhu, azikapheli izinsuku ezingu-12 kusukela ngakhuphukela eJerusalema ngiyokhonza uNkulunkulu; + 12 abangitholanga ngiphikisana namuntu ethempelini noma ngibanga isiyaluyalu esixukwini, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kusemasinagogeni noma kulo lonke idolobha. 13 Futhi abanakuzifakazela kuwe izinto abangimangalela ngazo njengamanje. 14 Kodwa ngiyavuma kuwe ukuthi, ngokwendlela abayibiza ngokuthi iqembu lenkolo, ngale ndlela nginikela inkonzo engcwele kuNkulunkulu wokhokho bami, + njengoba ngikholwa yizo zonke izinto ezibekwe eMthethweni nezilotshwe kubaProfethi. + 15 Nginethemba kuNkulunkulu, okuyithemba nalaba bantu abalilangazelelayo, lokuthi kuyoba khona uvuko + lwabalungile nabangalungile. + 16 Ngenxa yalokhu, ngihlale ngisebenza kanzima ukuze ngilondoloze unembeza ohlanzekile* phambi kukaNkulunkulu nakubantu. + 17 Ngemva kweminyaka eminingana impela, ngafika ngilethe izipho zesihe + neminikelo esizweni sakithi. 18 Lapho ngisenza lezi zinto, bangithola ngihlanzekile ngokwesiko ethempelini, + kodwa kungenasixuku futhi ngingabangeli siyaluyalu. Kodwa kwakukhona amaJuda athile ayevela esifundazweni sase-Asiya 19 okufanele abe khona phambi kwakho ukuze angimangalele uma ngempela enokuthile okubi ngami. + 20 Noma, wona la madoda akhona lapha mawasho ukuthi yini embi ayithola lapho ngimi phambi kweSanhedrini, 21 ngaphandle kwale nto eyodwa engamemeza ngayisho lapho ngimi phakathi kwawo: ‘Namuhla ngahlulelwa phambi kwenu ngenxa yovuko lwabafile!’ ” +

22 Nokho, uFeliksi, ewazi kahle amaqiniso aphathelene nale Ndlela, + wawaxosha la madoda wathi: “Noma nini lapho uLisiya umkhuzi wamabutho ehla, ngizokwenza isinqumo ngalezi zindaba ezinithintayo.” 23 Wayala isikhulu samabutho ukuba lo muntu agcinwe eboshiwe kodwa anikezwe inkululeko ethile, nokuba abantu bakubo bavunyelwe ukuba banakekele izidingo zakhe.

24 Ngemva kwezinsuku ezithile, uFeliksi wafika noDrusila umkakhe, owayengumJuda, wathumela ukuba kulandwe uPawulu, wamlalela njengoba ekhuluma ngokukholwa kuKristu Jesu. + 25 Kodwa njengoba uPawulu ayekhuluma ngokuqondene nokulunga nokuzithiba nokwahlulela okuzayo, + uFeliksi wethuka, waphendula wathi: “Okwamanje hamba, kodwa lapho ngithola ithuba ngizothumela ukuba ubizwe futhi.” 26 Ngesikhathi esifanayo wayenethemba lokuthi uPawulu uzomnika imali. Ngenxa yalokho, wayethumela kaningi ukuba alandwe axoxe naye. 27 Kodwa lapho sekudlule iminyaka emibili, kwangena uPorkiyu Festu esikhundleni sikaFeliksi; ngenxa yokuthi uFeliksi wayefisa ukuthandwa amaJuda, + washiya uPawulu eboshiwe.

25 Ngakho uFestu, + esefike esifundazweni wathatha izintambo, ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu wakhuphukela eJerusalema esuka eKhesariya. 2 Abapristi abakhulu namadoda avelele kumaJuda bethula izikhalo zabo ngoPawulu. + Ngakho bancenga uFestu 3 ukuze ababonise umusa, athumele uPawulu ukuba alethwe eJerusalema. Kodwa babeceba ukumcuthela uPawulu bambulale endleleni. + 4 Nokho, uFestu waphendula ngokuthi uPawulu kwakumele agcinwe eKhesariya nokuthi naye ngokwakhe wayesezobuyela khona ngokushesha. 5 Wathi: “Ngakho labo abasesikhundleni sokuphatha phakathi kwenu, mabehle nami bambeke icala, uma ngempela kunokuthile okungalungile okwenziwe yile ndoda.” +

6 Ngakho lapho esechithe izinsuku ezingaba ngu-8 noma eziyishumi phakathi kwabo, wehlela eKhesariya, ngosuku olulandelayo wahlala esihlalweni sokwahlulela wayala ukuba kungeniswe uPawulu. 7 Lapho engena, amaJuda ayehle evela eJerusalema ama amzungeza, ambeka amacala amaningi amabi ayengakwazi ukuveza ubufakazi bawo. +

8 Kodwa uPawulu wazivikela wathi: “Angenzanga sono ngokumelene noMthetho wamaJuda noma ngokumelene nethempeli noma ngokumelene noKhesari.” + 9 UFestu, efisa ukuthandwa amaJuda, + waphendula wathi kuPawulu: “Ingabe uthanda ukukhuphukela eJerusalema wahlulelwe khona phambi kwami mayelana nalezi zinto?” 10 Kodwa uPawulu wathi: “Ngimi phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela sikaKhesari, lapho kufanele ngahlulelwe khona. Angonanga lutho kumaJuda, okuyinto nawe oyibonayo. 11 Uma ngempela ngingumenzi wobubi futhi ngenze noma yini engenza ngifanelwe ukufa, + angikubalekeli ukufa; kodwa uma bungekho ubufazi obuphathekayo bezinsolo laba bantu abanazo ngami, akukho muntu onelungelo lokunginikela kubo ukuze athandwe abantu. Ngidlulisela icala kuKhesari!” + 12 UFestu, ngemva kokukhuluma nomkhandlu wabeluleki, waphendula: “Udlulisele icala kuKhesari; uzoya kuKhesari.”

13 Lapho sekudlule izinsuku ezithile, u-Agripha inkosi noBernike bafika eKhesariya beyovakashela* uFestu. 14 Njengoba babelapho izinsuku eziningana, uFestu wethula icala likaPawulu enkosini, ethi:

“Kukhona indoda eyashiywa uFeliksi iyisiboshwa, 15 lapho ngiseJerusalema abapristi abakhulu namadoda amadala amaJuda bayimangalela, + becela ukuba ilahlwe yicala. 16 Kodwa ngabaphendula ngathi akuyona inqubo yamaRoma ukuzenza uthandwe ngokunikela umuntu ngaphambi kokuba obekwe icala abhekane ubuso nobuso nalabo abammangalele futhi athole ithuba lokuziphendulela ngokuphathelene naleso sikhalo. + 17 Ngakho lapho befika, angichithanga sikhathi, kodwa ngosuku olulandelayo ngahlala esihlalweni sokwahlulela ngayala ukuba le ndoda ingeniswe. 18 Lapho bema, abayimangalele abayibekanga cala lanoma yiziphi izinto ezimbi engangizicabanga. + 19 Babemane nje bephikisana nayo mayelana nokukhonza kwabo unkulunkulu *+ nangokuphathelene nendoda ebizwa ngokuthi uJesu, eyafa kodwa uPawulu ayelokhu egomela ngokuthi iyaphila. + 20 Njengoba ngangididekile ngingazi ukuthi ngikusingathe kanjani lokhu kuphikisana, ngabuza ukuthi angathanda yini ukuya eJerusalema ahlulelwe khona mayelana nalezi zindaba. + 21 Kodwa lapho uPawulu ecela ukuba agcinwe eboshiwe aze athole isinqumo soMhlonishwa, *+ ngayala ukuba agcinwe ejele ngize ngimthumele kuKhesari.”

22 U-Agripha wathi kuFestu: “Ngingathanda ukuzizwela yena mathupha lo muntu.” + Wathi kuye: “Uzomuzwa kusasa.” 23 Ngosuku olulandelayo, u-Agripha noBernike bafika ngokubukisa okukhulu bangena egunjini lezilaleli kanye nabakhuzi bamabutho kanye namadoda avelele edolobha; uFestu wabe eseyala ukuba uPawulu angeniswe, wangeniswa. 24 UFestu wathi: “Nkosi Agripha nani nonke enikanye nathi lapha, nangu lo muntu wonke amaJuda aseJerusalema nawalapha enze isicelo ngaye kimi, ememeza ethi makabulawe. + 25 Kodwa ngabona ukuthi akenzanga lutho olumenza afanelwe ukufa. + Ngakho lapho lo muntu ngokwakhe edlulisela icala kuMhlonishwa, nganquma ukumthumela. 26 Kodwa anginalutho oluqinisekile engingakubhalela iNkosi yami ngaye. Ngakho ngimlethe phambi kwenu nonke, ikakhulukazi phambi kwakho, Nkosi Agripha, ukuze kuthi ngemva kokuba sekwenziwe uphenyo ngecala* ngithole okuthile engingakubhala. 27 Ngoba kubonakala kungenangqondo kimi ukuthumela isiboshwa kodwa ngingawavezi amacala aso.”

26 U-Agripha + wathi kuPawulu: “Uvunyelwe ukuba uzikhulumele.” UPawulu welula isandla wabe esezivikela wathi:

2 “Ngokuphathelene nazo zonke izinto amaJuda angimangalela ngazo, + Nkosi Agripha, ngiyajabula ngokuthi namuhla kumele ngiziphendulele phambi kwakho, 3 ikakhulukazi ngoba uyisazi sawo wonke amasiko nezimpikiswano phakathi kwamaJuda. Ngakho-ke ngiyakuncenga ukuba ungilalele ngesineke.

4 “Ngempela, indlela engangiphila ngayo kusukela ebusheni kuqhubeke phakathi kwesizwe sakithi naseJerusalema, ayazi kahle wonke amaJuda + 5 ayejwayelene nami ngaphambili, uma ethanda angafakaza, ukuthi ngokweqembu lenkolo elinomthetho oqine kakhulu lendlela yethu yokukhonza, + ngangiphila njengomFarisi. + 6 Kodwa manje ngenxa yethemba lesithembiso esenziwa uNkulunkulu kokhokho bethu, + ngibizelwe ecaleni; 7 okuyisithembiso esifanayo naleso izizwe zakithi ezingu-12 ezinethemba lokusibona sigcwaliseka ngokunikela kakhulu kuye inkonzo engcwele imini nobusuku. AmaJuda angimangalela mayelana naleli themba, + Nkosi.

8 “Kungani nikubheka* njengokungakholeki ukuthi uNkulunkulu uvusa abafile? 9 Mina ngokwami ngangiqiniseka ukuthi kufanele ngenze izenzo eziningi zokuphikisa igama likaJesu umNazaretha. 10 Yilokho kanye engakwenza eJerusalema, abaningi kwabangcwele ngababophisa, + ngoba ngangithole igunya kubapristi abakhulu; + lapho bebulawa, ngangikusekela ukubulawa kwabo. 11 Ngokubajezisa izikhathi eziningi kuwo wonke amasinagoge, ngazama ukubaphoqa ukuba balahle ukholo lwabo; njengoba ngangibathukuthelele kakhulu, ngaze ngabashushisa ngisho nasemadolobheni angaphandle.

12 “Ngesikhathi ngenza lokhu ngangiya eDamaseku nginegunya futhi ngithunywe abapristi abakhulu, 13 emini bebade ngabona endleleni, Nkosi, ukukhanya okuvela ezulwini okungaphezu kokukhazimula kwelanga kubanika nxazonke zami nalabo engangihamba nabo. + 14 Lapho sonke sesiwele phansi, ngezwa izwi lithi kimi ngolimi lwesiHebheru: ‘Sawulu, Sawulu, ungishushiselani? Ukuqhubeka ukhahlela izimboko* kwenza izinto zibe nzima kuwe.’ 15 Kodwa ngathi: ‘Ungubani wena Nkosi?’ INkosi yathi: ‘NginguJesu omshushisayo. 16 Vuka ume ngezinyawo. Yilesi isizathu esingenze ngabonakala kuwe, ukuba ngikukhethe ube isikhonzi nofakazi wezinto ozibonile nezinto engizokubonisa zona ngami. + 17 Ngizokukhulula kulesi sizwe nakwezinye izizwe engikuthuma kuzo, + 18 ukuze uvule amehlo azo, + uzisuse ebumnyameni + uziyise ekukhanyeni, + uzisuse egunyeni likaSathane + uziyise kuNkulunkulu, ukuze zikwazi ukuthethelelwa izono + zithole nefa phakathi kwalabo abangcweliswa ngokholo lwabo kimi.’

19 “Ngakho, Nkosi Agripha, angizange ngingawulaleli umbono wasezulwini, 20 kodwa ngangilethe umyalezo kulabo abaseDamaseku + kuqala nakulabo abaseJerusalema, + nakulo lonke izwe laseJudiya nasezizweni, wokuthi kufanele baphenduke, baguqukele kuNkulunkulu ngokwenza imisebenzi efanele ukuphenduka. + 21 Yingakho amaJuda angibamba ethempelini, azama ukungibulala. + 22 Nokho, ngenxa yokuthi ngithole usizo oluvela kuNkulunkulu, ngiyaqhubeka kuze kube namuhla ngifakaza kwabancane nabakhulu, angisho lutho ngaphandle kwalokho abaProfethi kanye noMose abathi kwakuyokwenzeka +— 23 ukuthi uKristu wayeyohlupheka, + nokuthi njengoba engowokuqala ukuba avuswe kwabafile, + wayeyomemezela ukukhanya kulesi sizwe nakwezinye izizwe.” +

24 Njengoba uPawulu ayesho lezi zinto ezivikela, uFestu wamemeza wathi: “Uyahlanya Pawulu! Ukufunda kakhulu kuyakuhlanyisa!” 25 Kodwa uPawulu wathi: “Angihlanyi Mhlonishwa Festu, kodwa ngikhuluma amazwi ayiqiniso navela engqondweni ehluzekile. 26 Eqinisweni, inkosi engikhuluma nayo ngenkululeko engaka yazi kahle ngalezi zinto; ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi ayikho neyodwa kulezi zinto engayazi, ngoba akukho nokukodwa kulezi zinto okwenziwe ekusithekeni. + 27 Ingabe wena Nkosi Agripha uyakholelwa kubaProfethi? Ngiyazi ukuthi uyakholelwa.” 28 Kodwa u-Agripha wathi kuPawulu: “Ngesikhashana nje uzongithonya ukuba ngibe umKristu.” 29 UPawulu waphendula wathi: “Ngiyafisa phambi kukaNkulunkulu ukuba kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ngesikhashana nje noma ngesikhathi eside, kungabi nguwe nje kuphela kodwa nabo bonke laba abangizwayo namuhla, nibe ngabantu abanjengami, kodwa nina ningaboshwa.”

30 Inkosi yasukuma, kwasukuma nombusi noBernike namadoda ayehlezi nabo. 31 Kodwa njengoba besuka, bakhuluma bodwa, bethi: “Lo muntu akukho lutho alwenzayo olumenza afanelwe ukufa noma ukuboshwa.” + 32 U-Agripha wathi kuFestu: “Lo muntu ngabe ukhululiwe ukuba akalidluliselanga kuKhesari icala.” +

27 Njengoba kwakunqunywe ukuba sihambe ngomkhumbi siye e-Italiya, + banikela uPawulu nezinye iziboshwa esikhulwini sebutho esigama laso linguJuliyu, seviyo lika-Awugustu. 2 Sagibela umkhumbi owawusuka e-Adramitiyu uzoya emathekwini agudle ugu lwesifundazwe sase-Asiya, saqala uhambo ngomkhumbi; kwakukhona no-Aristarku + umMakedoniya waseThesalonika. 3 Ngakusasa safika eSidoni, uJuliyu waphatha uPawulu ngomusa, wamvumela ukuba aye kubangani bakhe ajabulele ukunakekelwa yibo.

4 Sihamba ngomkhumbi sisuka lapho, sasondela eKhupro lapho sasivikeleke khona emoyeni owawuphambana nathi. 5 Ngemva kwalokho, sahamba ngomkhumbi olwandle sigudla iKhilikhiya nePhamfiliya sama ethekwini laseMira eLikhiya. 6 Kuleyo ndawo isikhulu sebutho sathola umkhumbi owawuvela e-Aleksandriya uya e-Italiya, sasigibelisa kuwo. 7 Ngemva kokuhamba kancane ngomkhumbi izinsuku eziningana impela, safika kanzima eKinidu. Ngenxa yokuthi umoya awusivumelanga ukuba siqhubekele phambili, sasondela eKrethe eSalimone lapho sasivikeleke khona emoyeni. 8 Sahamba kanzima ngomkhumbi sigudla ugu, safika endaweni okuthiwa amaTheku Amahle, eyayiseduze kwedolobha laseLaseya.

9 Kwadlula isikhathi eside futhi kwase kuyingozi ukuhamba ngomkhumbi, ngenxa yokuthi ngisho nokuzila ukudla koSuku Lokuhlawulelwa + kwase kudlulile kakade, ngakho uPawulu wasikisela 10 wathi kubo: “Madoda, ngiyabona ukuthi lolu hambo lomkhumbi luzoba yingozi futhi sizolahlekelwa kakhulu, hhayi nje umthwalo nomkhumbi kuphela, kodwa nawukuphila kwethu.” 11 Nokho, isikhulu sebutho salalela umshayeli nomnikazi womkhumbi kunalokhu okwakushiwo uPawulu. 12 Njengoba kwakungekuhle ukuba kuhlalwe ethekwini ebusika, iningi lasikisela ukuba kuhanjwe ngomkhumbi kusukwe lapho, ukuze babone ukuthi ngandlela-thile babengakwazi yini ukuhlala eFeniksi ebusika, okuyitheku laseKrethe elivulekela ngasenyakatho-mpumalanga nangaseningizimu-mpumalanga.

13 Lapho kuheleza umoya waseningizimu, bacabanga ukuthi base beyifinyelele injongo yabo, baphakamisa ihange baqala ukugudla ugu ngaseKrethe. 14 Nokho, ngemva kwesikhashana isiphepho okuthiwa i-Ewurakiloni* savunguza phezu kwawo. 15 Njengoba umkhumbi wawubanjwe umoya omkhulu, wawungasakwazi ukuya phambili uphambane nomoya, kungekho esingakwenza, sayeka futhi saqhutshwa umoya. 16 Ngemva kwalokho sakhosela ngaphansi kwesiqhingi esincane okuthiwa iKhawuda, nokho kwakunzima ukuqondisa isikejana* esasingemuva emkhunjini. 17 Kodwa ngemva kokusiphakamisela emkhunjini, bawubopha bawuqinisa umkhumbi, futhi besaba ukuthi bazobhajwa esihlabathini eSirti,* behlisa izinto zokubamba oseyili, base beqhutshwa umoya. 18 Ngenxa yokuthi isiphepho sasisiphephula ngamandla, ngosuku olulandelayo baqala ukuwenza lula umkhumbi. 19 Ngosuku lwesithathu, bona ngokwabo balahla izindophi zomkhumbi.

20 Lapho lingabonakali ilanga noma izinkanyezi izinsuku eziningi, sihlaselwe yisiphepho esinamandla, wonke amathemba okuthi siyosinda agcina eshabalele. 21 Ngemva kokuhamba isikhathi eside bengadli, uPawulu wasukuma phakathi kwabo wathi: “Madoda, ngokuqinisekile bekufanele nisamukele iseluleko sami ningaluthathi lolu hambo olusuka eKrethe ukuze ningehlelwa yilo monakalo futhi nilahlekelwe. + 22 Noma kunjalo, ngicela nibe nesibindi, ngoba akukho noyedwa* kini ozofa, kuzophahlazeka umkhumbi kuphela. 23 Kulobu busuku, eduze kwami kume ingelosi + kaNkulunkulu engingowakhe nenginikela kuye inkonzo engcwele, 24 yathi: ‘Ungesabi Pawulu. Kumele ume phambi kukaKhesari, + futhi bheka! uNkulunkulu ukunike bonke labo abahamba nawe.’ 25 Ngakho yibani nesibindi madoda, ngoba ngikholelwa ukuthi uNkulunkulu uzozenza njengoba zinjalo izinto engitshelwe zona. 26 Nokho, kumele siphonseke ogwini esiqhingini esithile.” +

27 Lapho kufika ubusuku buka-14 futhi sijikijeleka ngapha nangapha oLwandle Lwase-Adriya, phakathi kwamabili amatilosi aqala ukusola ukuthi ayesondela ezweni. 28 Ezwa ukujula, akuthola kungamafathomu angu-20,* ngakho aqhubeka ibanga elifushane aphinda ezwa ukujula, akuthola kungamafathomu angu-15.* 29 Esaba ukuthi sasingaphonseka endaweni ethile emadwaleni, aphonsa amahange amane angemuva emkhunjini afisa sengathi ngabe sekusile. 30 Kodwa lapho amatilosi ezama ukubaleka emkhunjini, ehlisela isikejana olwandle enza sengathi ahlose ukwehlisa amahange angaphambili, 31 uPawulu wathi esikhulwini sebutho nasemasosheni: “Ngaphandle kokuba la madoda ahlale emkhunjini, aninakusinda.” + 32 Amasosha abe esenqamula izindophi zesikejana asiyeka sawa.

33 Lapho sekusa, uPawulu wabakhuthaza bonke ukuba badle, wathi: “Namuhla usuku luka-14 nilindile nimagange, anikaze nidle lutho nhlobo. 34 Ngakho nginikhuthaza ukuba nidle; lokhu kungenjongo yokuba niphephe, ngoba akukho nolulodwa unwele lwekhanda lomunye wenu oluzobhubha.” 35 Ngemva kokuba esho lokhu, wathatha isinkwa, wabonga kuNkulunkulu phambi kwabo bonke, wasihlephula, wadla. 36 Ngakho bonke baba nesibindi nabo badla. 37 Sesisonke, sasingabantu abangu-276 emkhunjini. 38 Lapho sebedle basutha, bawenza waba lula umkhumbi ngokuphonsa ukolweni olwandle. +

39 Lapho sekusile, babengalazi izwe ababelibona, + kodwa babona itheku elalinogu, babezimisele ukumisa umkhumbi lapho uma bengase bakwazi. 40 Ngakho banqamula amahange, bawayeka awela olwandle, ngesikhathi esifanayo beqaqa izindophi zezigwedlo; ngemva kokukhuphulela useyili wangaphambili emoyeni, baya ogwini. 41 Lapho bezithela endundumeni yesihlabathi esigugulwe ulwandle, umkhumbi wabhajwa esihlabathini futhi ingaphambili labambeka langabe lisanyakaza, kodwa amagagasi aphahlaza ingemuva lomkhumbi laba yizicucu. + 42 Amasosha anquma ukubulala iziboshwa ukuze kungabikho muntu obhukudayo abaleke. 43 Kodwa isikhulu sebutho sasizimisele ukusindisa uPawulu, sawavimba angakwenza ayekuhlosile. Sayala labo ababekwazi ukubhukuda ukuba baziphonse olwandle baye ezweni kuqala, 44 abanye babezolandela, abanye besebenzisa amapulangwe abanye besebenzisa izingcezu zomkhumbi. Ngakho bonke bafika ezweni ngokuphepha. +

28 Lapho sifika endaweni ephephile, sathola ukuthi lesi siqhingi sasibizwa ngokuthi iMelitha. + 2 Abantu bakhona abakhuluma olunye ulimi* basibonisa umusa ongavamile. Babasa umlilo, basamukela ngomusa sonke ngenxa yemvula eyayina nangenxa yamakhaza. 3 Kodwa lapho uPawulu eqoqa izinkuni ezincane eziningi ezifaka emlilweni, ngenxa yokushisa kwaphuma inyoka enesihlungu yanamathela esandleni sakhe. 4 Lapho laba bantu abakhuluma olunye ulimi bebona le nyoka enesihlungu ilenga esandleni sakhe, bathi omunye komunye: “Ngokuqinisekile lo muntu ungumbulali, nakuba esindile olwandle, uBulungisa* abumvumelanga ukuba aqhubeke ephila.” 5 Nokho, wayithintithela emlilweni le nyoka wangalimala. 6 Kodwa babelindele ukuba avuvukale noma avele awe afe. Ngemva kokulinda isikhathi eside futhi bebona ukuthi akukho okubi okwenzeke kuye, bashintsha umqondo bathi wayewunkulunkulu.

7 Kuleyo ndawo kwakunamasimu endoda evelele yalesi siqhingi, egama layo linguPhubhiliyu, yasamukela, yasibungaza ngomusa izinsuku ezintathu. 8 Uyise kaPhubhiliyu wayelele embhedeni ephethwe umkhuhlane nohudo, uPawulu wangena lapho ayekhona wathandaza, wambeka izandla, wamphulukisa. + 9 Ngemva kokuba kwenzeke lokhu, bonke abanye abantu ababegula esiqhingini nabo beza kuye belashwa. + 10 Basibonga ngokusipha izipho eziningi, futhi lapho sesihamba ngomkhumbi, basigidlabeza nganoma yini esasiyidinga.

11 Ezinyangeni ezintathu kamuva, saqala uhambo ngomkhumbi owawunesithombe “samaDodana KaZeyusi.” Umkhumbi wawuvela e-Aleksandriya ukade uhlezi kulesi siqhingi ebusika. 12 Sama ethekwini laseSirakhuse sahlala khona izinsuku ezintathu; 13 sasuka kuleyo ndawo sahamba saze safika eRegiyu. Sekudlule usuku olulodwa kwaba khona umoya ovela eningizimu, safika ePhutheyoli ngosuku lwesibili. 14 Lapha sathola abazalwane, sancengwa ukuba sihlale nabo izinsuku eziyisikhombisa, sase siya eRoma. 15 Ukusuka lapho, lapho abafowethu bezwa ngathi, baze bafika naseMakethe ka-Aphiyo naseTresi Thaberne bezosihlangabeza. Lapho ebabona, uPawulu wabonga uNkulunkulu, wama isibindi. + 16 Ekugcineni lapho singena eRoma, uPawulu wavunyelwa ukuba ahlale yedwa nesosha elalimgadile.

17 Nokho, ezinsukwini ezintathu kamuva wabizela ndawonye amadoda avelele kumaJuda. Lapho esehlangene, wathi kuwo: “Madoda, bafowethu, nakuba ngingenzanga lutho oluphambene nabantu noma amasiko okhokho bethu, + eJerusalema nganikelwa ezandleni zamaRoma njengesiboshwa. + 18 Ngemva kokwenza uphenyo, + ayefuna ukungikhulula ngoba sasingekho isizathu sokuba ngibulawe. + 19 Kodwa lapho amaJuda ephikisana nalokho, ngaphoqeleka ukuba ngidlulisele icala kuKhesari, + kodwa hhayi ngoba nganginokuthile engingamangalela ngakho isizwe sakithi. 20 Ngenxa yalesi sizathu, ngacela ukuba nginibone futhi ngikhulume nani, ngoba ngiboshwe ngaleli ketanga nje kungenxa yaleli themba lika-Israyeli.” + 21 Athi kuye: “Asitholanga zincwadi ezimayelana nawe ezivela eJudiya, futhi akekho kubafowethu abafikile bevela khona obike noma okhulume into embi ngawe. 22 Kodwa sicabanga ukuthi kuyafaneleka ukuzizwela kuwe ukuthi wena ucabangani, ngoba ngempela ngokuqondene naleli qembu lenkolo, + siyazi ukuthi kukhulunywa kabi ngalo kuyo yonke indawo.” +

23 Bahlela usuku abazohlangana ngalo naye, bafika kuye bebaningi nakakhulu endaweni ayehlala kuyo. Kusukela ekuseni kuze kuhlwe, uPawulu washumayela kubo ngokunikeza ubufakazi obuphelele ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu, ezama ukubenza bakholelwe kuJesu + esusela eMthethweni KaMose + nakubaProfethi. + 24 Abanye baqala ukuzikholwa izinto ayezisho; abanye babengazikholwa. 25 Ngakho ngenxa yokuthi babengavumelani, bahamba, uPawulu wathi:

“Umoya ongcwele wakhuluma ngokufanele ngo-Isaya umprofethi kokhokho benu, 26 uthi, ‘Yana kulaba bantu uthi: “Impela niyozwa, kodwa anisoze naqonda, impela niyobheka, kodwa anisoze nabona. + 27 Ngoba inhliziyo yalaba bantu ibe lukhuni, ngezindlebe zabo bazwile bangasabela, bavale amehlo abo ukuze bangalokothi babone ngamehlo abo futhi bezwe ngezindlebe zabo, baqonde ngenhliziyo yabo babuye, mina ngibelaphe.” ’ + 28 Ngakho makwazeke kini ukuthi umyalezo wendlela uNkulunkulu aletha ngayo insindiso uthunyelwe ezizweni; + zizowulalela nakanjani.” + 29 *——

30 Ngakho wahlala lapho iminyaka emibili yonke endlini ayeyiqashile, + wayebamukela ngomusa bonke ababefika kuye, 31 eshumayela kubo ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu futhi efundisa ngeNkosi uJesu Kristu ngenkululeko yokukhuluma enkulu kakhulu, *+ ngaphandle kwesithiyo.