Mungu Ajibu Sala Ya Kornelio

10 Katika mji wa Kaisaria aliishi afisa mmoja wa jeshi ambaye alikuwa kamanda wa kikosi cha Italia, jina lake Kornelio. Yeye alikuwa mcha Mungu pamoja na jamii yake yote. Alitoa msaada kwa ukarimu kwa watu na kumwomba Mungu mara kwa mara.

Alasiri moja, mnamo saa tisa, malaika wa Mungu alimjia katika ndoto na kumwita, “Kornelio!” Kornelio akamtazama yule malaika kwa hofu akasema, “Ni nini Bwana?” Malaika akasema, “Sala zako na sadaka ulizotoa kwa maskini zimefika mbinguni, na Mungu amezikumbuka. Sasa tuma watu Jopa wakamlete Simoni ait waye Petro. Yeye hivi sasa anaishi na Simoni mtengenezaji ngozi kando ya bahari.” Yule malaika aliyekuwa akizungumza naye ali poondoka, Kornelio aliwaita watumishi wake wawili na mlinzi wake mmoja aliyekuwa mcha Mungu, na baada ya kuwasimulia mambo yote yaliyotokea, akawatuma waende Jopa.

Kesho yake, walipokuwa wanaukaribia mji, Petro alipanda juu ghorofani kuomba mnamo saa sita. 10 Alipokuwa akisali aliona njaa akatamani kupata chakula. Lakini wakati kilipokuwa kinaan daliwa, alisinzia akaota ndoto. 11 Akaona katika ndoto mbingu zimefunguka na kitu kama shuka kubwa ikishushwa kwa ncha zake nne. 12 Ndani ya ile shuka walikuwemo aina zote za wanyama na nyoka na ndege. 13 Kisha sauti ikamwambia Petro, “Inuka, uchinje na ule mnyama ye yote umpendaye kati ya hawa.” 14 Petro akajibu, “La Bwana! Sijawahi kula cho chote ambacho kimetajwa na sheria zetu za Kiyahudi kuwa ni kichafu.” 15 Ile sauti ikarudia kusema naye mara ya pili, “Usiite cho chote alichokitakasa Bwana kuwa ni kichafu.” 16 Hii ilitokea mara tatu, ndipo ile shuka ikarudishwa mbinguni.

17 Petro alikuwa bado akijiuliza maana ya mambo haya aliyoy aona, wakati wale watu waliokuwa wametumwa na Kornelio walipofika kwenye nyumba ya Simoni mtengenezaji ngozi. 18 Wakabisha hodi na kuuliza kama Simoni aliyeitwa Petro alikuwa anaishi hapo.

19 Wakati huo Petro alikuwa akifikiria juu ya ile ndoto, Roho Mtakatifu akamwambia, “Wako watu watatu wamekuja kukuta futa. 20 Shuka chini ukaonane nao na usione shaka kwenda nao kwa kuwa nimewatuma kwako.” 21 Petro akashuka, akawaendea wale watu akawaambia, “Mimi ndiye mnayemtafuta. Mnataka nini?” 22 Wao wakamjibu, “Tumetumwa na Kamanda Kornelio ambaye ni mtu mwema anayemcha Mungu na kusifiwa na Wayahudi wote. Yeye ameagi zwa na malaika wa Mungu akukaribishe nyumbani kwake, ili asiki lize maneno utakayomwambia.” 23 Petro aliwakaribisha walale kwake. Kulipokucha akaandamana nao pamoja na baadhi ya ndugu waamini wa pale Jopa.

Petro Nyumbani Kwa Kornelio

24 Kesho yake wakawasili Kaisaria. Kornelio alikuwa akiwan goja pamoja na ndugu zake na marafiki wa karibu ambao alikuwa amewaalika. 25 Petro alipokuwa akiingia ndani, Kornelio alikuja kumlaki, akapiga magoti. 26 Lakini Petro akamwinua akamwambia, “Simama! Mimi ni mwanadamu tu.” 27 Petro alipokuwa akizungumza naye aliingia ndani ambapo alikuta watu wengi wamekusanyika. 28 Petro akawaambia, “Mnajua kwamba sheria ya Wayahudi hairu husu Myahudi kuwatembelea au kuchangamana na watu wa mataifa men gine kama hivi nifanyavyo. Lakini Mungu amenionyesha kwamba nisimwone mtu ye yote kuwa mchafu au asiyefaa. 29 Ndiyo sababu ulipotuma nije sikusita. Kwa hiyo naomba unieleze kwa nini ume niita.” 30 Kornelio akajibu, “Siku nne zilizopita, nilikuwa nyumbani nikisali saa kama hii, saa tisa mchana. Mara akatokea mtu aliyevaa nguo za kung’ara akasimama mbele yangu. 31 Akasema, ‘Kornelio, maombi yako yamesikiwa na Mungu, naye amekumbuka msaada wako kwa maskini. 32 Basi tuma watu waende Jopa wakamwite Simoni aitwaye Petro. Yeye ni mgeni katika nyumba ya Simoni mtengenezaji ngozi ambaye nyumba yake iko sehemu za pwani.’ 33 Ndio sababu nilituma watu kwako mara moja, nawe umefanya vizuri kuja. Basi sasa tuko hapa wote mbele ya Mungu kuyasikiliza yote ambayo Mungu amekuamuru kutuambia.”

Hotuba Ya Petro

34 “Ndipo Petro alianza kwa kusema, “Sasa naamini ya kuwa Mungu hana upendeleo. 35 Yeye huwakubali watu wa kila taifa wam chao na kutenda haki. 36 Huu ndio ujumbe ambao Mungu aliwapele kea watu wa Israeli, kuhusu Habari Njema za amani kwa njia ya Yesu Kristo, ambaye ni Bwana wa wote. 37 Ninyi bila shaka mnafa hamu mambo yaliyotokea sehemu zote za Yudea, kuanzia Galilaya tangu wakati wa mahubiri ya Yohana Mbatizaji. 38 Mnafahamu jinsi Mungu alivyompa Yesu wa Nazareti Roho Mtakatifu na uwezo, na jinsi alivyozunguka kila mahali akifanya mema na kuponya wote waliokuwa wakiteswa na nguvu za shetani, kwa sababu Mungu alikuwa pamoja naye. 39 Sisi ni mashahidi wa mambo yote aliyofanya katika nchi ya Wayahudi na Yerusalemu. Walimwua kwa kumtundika msalabani. 40 Lakini Mungu alimfufua kutoka kwa wafu siku ya tatu na akamwezesha kuonekana na watu. 41 Hakuonekana kwa watu wote, lakini alionekana kwa mashahidi ambao Mungu aliwachagua, yaani sisi ambao tulikula na kunywa naye baada ya kufufuka kwake. 42 Naye alituamuru kuhubiri kwa watu wote, na kushuhudia kwamba yeye ndiye aliyechaguliwa na Mungu kuwahukumu walio hai na wafu. 43 Manabii wote walishuhudia juu yake, kwamba kila mtu amwami niye atasamehewa dhambi katika jina lake.”

Mataifa Wapokea Roho Mtakatifu

44 Petro alipokuwa akisema maneno hayo, Roho Mtakatifu ali washukia wote waliokuwa wakisikiliza. 45 Wale Wayahudi waamini waliokuwa wamekuja na Petro walishangaa sana kuona kuwa Mungu aliwapa watu wa mataifa kipawa cha Roho Mtakatifu. 46 Kwa kuwa waliwasikia wakisema kwa lugha mpya na kumtukuza Mungu kwa ukuu wake. Ndipo Petro akasema, 47 “Je, kuna mtu anayeweza kuzuia watu hawa wasibatizwe kwa maji? Wamempokea Roho Mtakatifu kama sisi tulivyompokea.” 48 Kwa hiyo akaamuru wabatizwe kwa jina la Yesu Kristo. Wakamsihi Petro akae nao kwa siku chache.

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.