Seven Leaders for the Church
1 A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day.
2 The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “We should not give up preaching God's message in order to serve at tables. 3 My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. 4 We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching.”
5 This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and also Nicolaus, who worshiped with the Jewish people in Antioch. 6 These men were brought to the apostles. Then the apostles prayed and placed their hands on the men to show they had been chosen to do this work. 7 God's message spread, and many more people in Jerusalem became followers. Even a large number of priests put their faith in the Lord.
Stephen Is Arrested
8 God gave Stephen the power to work great miracles and wonders among the people. 9 But some men from Cyrene and Alexandria were members of a group who called themselves “Free Men.” They started arguing with Stephen. Some others from Cilicia and Asia also argued with him. 10 But they were no match for Stephen, who spoke with the great wisdom that the Spirit gave him. 11 So they talked some men into saying, “We heard Stephen say terrible things against Moses and God!”
12 They turned the people and their leaders and the teachers of the Law of Moses against Stephen. Then they all grabbed him and dragged him in front of the council.
13 Some men agreed to tell lies about Stephen, and they said, “This man keeps on saying terrible things about this holy temple and the Law of Moses. 14 We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us.” 15 Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.
Aayakuli yaheyali taa hogololwa
1 Pomasiku ngeyaka omwaalu gwooitaali sho gwa li tagu indjipala noonkondo, opwa tukuluka oontamanana pokati kAajuda mboka haa popi Oshigreka nAajuda aavalelwamo. Aajuda mboka haa popi Oshigreka, oya nyenyeta kutya mokutopola kwesiku kehe kwoompumbwe dhopalutu aaselekadhi yawo oya pangwa. 2 Nena aayapostoli oya hiya ongundu ayihe yooitaali e taye ya lombwele taa ti: “Inashi opala, ngele tse otatu etha po okuuvitha oohapu dhaKalunga, opo tu kale twi ipyakidhila noompumbwe dhopalutu. 3 Onkee ano, aamwameme, hogololii mo mokati keni aalumentu yaheyali mboka ye shi kwiinekelwa noye na Ombepo Ondjapuki noondunge. Otse otatu ya langeke moshilonga shika. 4 Tse yene polwetu otwa hala okwiitula lela megalikano nomoshilonga sheuvitho lyoohapu dhaKalunga.”
5 Egongalo alihe olya hokwa edhiladhilo ndika lyaayapostoli. Onkee oya hogolola mo Stefanus, omulumentu e na eitaalo nOmbepo Ondjapuki, naFilippus, Prokorus, Nikanor, Timon, Parmenas naNikolaus, nale omupagani gwokuAntiokia, a ninga Omujuda. 6 Egongalo olye ya tula ihe komeho gaayapostoli, naayapostoli oye ya galikanene noye ya tenteke iikaha.
7 Osho ngeyi oohapu dhaKalunga odha tsikile okutaandela. Omwaalu gwooitaali yomuJerusalem ogwi indjipala noonkondo, nongundu onene yaayambi oya ningi ooitaali.
Stefanus ta kwatwa
8 Stefanus okwa li a yambekwa unene kuKalunga noku udha oonkondo. Oye okwa longo iikumithalonga niilongankondo iinene mokati kaantu. 9 Ihe aalumentu yamwe oye mu tsile ondumbo. Oyo oya li iilyo yomosinagoga ndjoka hayi ithanwa “Osinagoga yaalumentu ya manguluka”, moka mwa li mu na Aajuda mboka ya za kuKireni nokuAleksandria. Aalumentu mboka pamwe nAajuda yalwe ooyakwawo mboka ya za kuKilikia nokuAsia, oya tameke okuludhika naStefanus. 10 Ihe Ombepo oya pe Stefanus oondunge, onkee oya nyengwa oku mu yamukula nenge oku mu ludhikitha. 11 Onkee ano oya pe aalumentu yamwe yontumba oombumbo, opo ya lundile Stefanus ya tye: “Otse otwe mu uvu ta sheke Moses naKalunga.”
12 Pamukalo gwa tya ngeyi oya sikumudha aantu, aakuluntu yAajuda naalongimpango. Mboka oye ya kuStefanus noye mu kwata e taye mu fala moshigongi shaatokoli Aajuda. 13 Nena oyo oye eta po aalumentu yamwe taa popi iifundja nokulundila Stefanus taa ti: “Omulumentu nguka oha popi aluhe nokusheka otempeli yetu ondjapuki nompango yaMoses. 14 Nokuli tse otwe mu uvu ta popi ta ti: Jesus Omunasareti ota ka hanagula po otempeli ndjika nota lundulula omithigululwakalo ndhoka twe dhi thigilwa kuMoses.” 15 Ayehe mboka ya li ya kuutumba moshigongi, oya tongolola Stefanus noya dhimbulula, oshipala she osha fa oshipala shomuyengeli.
