‘Amuzabukile ku Makedoniya’

1-3. (a) Mbuti Paulo abeenzinyina mbobakasololelwa amuuya uusalala? (b) Ino nzintu nzi nzyotutiilange-lange?

KAKAMU kabamakaintu kazwa mumunzi wa Filipi ku Makedoniya. Kakutanainda ciindi, kasika kumulonga wa Gangite. Kweelana acilengwa cabo, bamakaintu aaba bakkala ansi kumbali amulonga kutegwa bapaile kuli Leza wa Israyeli. Jehova ulabalangilila.—2 Mak. 16:9; Int. 65:2.

² Nozyakali kucitika zintu eezyi, kubusena kulampa makkilomita aali 800 kujwe kwa Filipi, bamaalumi ibali mu Galatiya nkoili kumusanza bazwa mumunzi wa Lustro. Nokwainda mazuba, basika mumugwagwa wabana Roma uutozya kumbo kubusena bujisi bantu banji kapati bwamucooko ca Asiya. Baalumi aaba, nkokuti Paulo, Sila a Timoteyo, balikanzide kweenda mumugwagwa ooyu kutegwa baunke ku Efeso akuminzi iimbi ooko bantu banji nkobayandika kumvwa mulumbe uujatikizya Kristo. Pele, kabatanatalika buya alweendo lwabo, muuya uusalala wabakasya munzila imwi iitazyibidwe. Balikasyidwe kukambauka mu Asiya. Nkaambo nzi? Kwiinda mumuuya wa Leza, Jesu uyanda kubasololela ba Paulo abeenzinyina mulweendo lwabo loonse mu Asia Minor, kutala aa Lwizi lwa Aegean, alimwi akuzumanana kunkomwe aakalonga kaitwa kuti Gangites.

³ Nzila Jesu mbwaakamusololela Paulo abeenzinyina mulweendo oolo lulibedelede ku Makedoniya, itutondezya ziiyo ziyandika kapati kulindiswe mazuba aano. Aboobo, atulange-lange zintu zimwi zyakacitika mulweendo lwabili lwabumisyinali lwa Paulo, ilwakatalika mumwaka wakuma 49 C.E.

“Leza Ngowakatwiita” (Milimo 16:6-15)

4, 5. (a) Ncinzi cakamucitikila Paulo abeenzinyina nobakasika afwaafwi a Bituniya? (b) Ino nintaamu nzi njobakabweza basikwiiya alimwi ncinzi cakacitika?

⁴ Nobakakasyigwa kukambauka mu Asiya, Paulo abeenzinyina bakagama kubusena buli kunyika kuyookambaukila kuminzi iili mu Bituniya. Kutegwa basike ooko, kweelede kuti bakeenda mazuba aali mbwaabede mumigwagwa iitali kabotu akati kazyooko zyamu Furigiya a Galatiya mobakatanteene kukkala bantu. Nokuba boobo, nobakasika afwaafwi a Bituniya, alimwi Jesu wakabelesya muuya uusalala kubakasya. (Mil. 16:6, 7) Aciindi eeco, baalumi aaba beelede kuti bakagambwa. Bakalizyi ncobakeelede kukambauka alimwi ambobakeelede kukambauka, pele tiibakazyi nkobakeelede kukambaukila. Cili mbuli kuti bakakonkomona amulyango uusololela ku Asiya, pele tiibakazumizyigwa kunjila. Bakakonkomona amulyango uusololela ku Bituniya, pele alimwi tiibakazumizyigwa. Nokuba boobo, Paulo wakalikanzide kuzumanana kukonkomona kusikila mane ajane mulyango iwakali kuyoojaluka. Mpoonya baalumi aaba bakabweza ntaamu iikonzya kulibonya kuti ilakatazya kumvwisya. Bakanyona kutozya kumbo akweenda makkilomita aali 550, akwiinda muminzi iili mbwiibede kusikila basika kucito ca Trowa, nzila yakali kubelesyegwa kunjila mu Makedoniya. (Mil. 16:8) Okuya kwaciindi catatu, Paulo wakakonkomona eelyo luno lweendo mulyango wakajaluka bukwazi.

⁵ Mulembi wa Makani Mabotu Luka, ooyo iwakaunka antoomwe abantu mbaakali limwi Paulo ku Trowa, wakaamba boobu kujatikizya cakacitika: “Masiku aayo Paulo wakabona cilengaano—mwaalumi umwi muna Makedoniya wakaliimvwi kamukombelezya kuti: ‘Amuzabukile okuno ku Makedoniya mutugwasye.’ Lino mbwaakabonena cilengaano eeco, twakasoleka kuunka ku Makedoniya katusyomede kuti Leza ngowakatwiita kuti twaambilizye makani mabotu kulimbabo.”a (Mil. 16:9, 10) Aboobo lino Paulo wakazyiba nkobakeelede kukambaukila. Eelo kaka Paulo weelede kuti wakakkomana kubona kuti kunyina naakatyompwa akucileka mulweendo lwabo! Cakutasowa ciindi, baalumi aaba bone bakatanta bwato akuunka ku Makedoniya.

6, 7. (a) Nciiyo nzi ncotukonzya kwiiya kuli ceeco cakacitika mulweendo lwa Paulo? (b) Ino nkaambo nzi kakkazika moyo nkotukonzya kwiiya kuli ceeco cakamucitikila Paulo?

⁶ Ino nciiyo nzi ncotukonzya kwiiya kumakani aaya? Amubone kuti: Lilikke buyo Paulo naakatalika lweendo lwakuunka ku Asiya ndendilyo muuya wa Leza nowakabasololela, lilikke buyo Paulo naakasika afwaafwi a Bituniya, ndendilyo Jesu naakabasololela, alimwi lilikke buyo Paulo naakasika ku Trowa, ndendilyo Jesu naakamulailila kuunka ku Makedoniya. Mbwali Mutwe wambungano, Jesu ulakonzya kutusololela munzila iikozyenye mazuba aano. (Kol. 1:18) Mucikozyanyo, ambweni twali kuyeeya kwaciindi cili mbocibede kubeleka katuli mupainiya naa kulongela kubusena ikuyandika bakambausi ba Bwami banji. Nokuba boobo, cikonzya kucitika ncakuti lilikke buyo twamana kubweza ntaamu zigaminide kutegwa tuzuzikizye mbaakani zyesu ndendilyo Jesu, kwiinda mumuuya wa Leza nakonzya kutusololela. Ino nkaambo nzi? Amweezyeezye cikozyanyo eeci: Namutekenya ulakonzya kuunyona mootokala kuti ugame kulumwensyi naa kululyo lilikke buyo kuti mootokala kaweenda. Mbubwenya buyo, Jesu ulakonzya kutusololela kuti tuyungizye mulimo wesu lilikke buyo ikuti naa twatalika kale kweenda, nkokuti ikuti naa twabweza ntaamu ziyandika kutegwa tuzuzikizye mbaakani zyesu.

⁷ Pele, ino mbuti ikuti naa tiitwazwidilila mpoonya-mpoonya? Sena tweelede kutyompwa akuyeeya kuti muuya wa Leza tautusololeli? Peepe. Amuyeeye kuti Paulo awalo wakajana buyumu-yumu. Nokuba boobo, wakazumanana kukonkomona mane wakajana mulyango iwakajaluka. Mbubwenya buyo, ikuti naa twazumanana kuyandaula “mulyango mupati wakucita milimo mibotu,” andiswe tulakonzya kulongezyegwa munzila njiyonya eeyi.—1 Kor. 16:9.

8. (a) Amuupandulule munzi wa Filipi. (b) Ncintu nzi cikkomanisya cakacitika kubukambausi bwa Paulo ‘kubusena bwakukombela’?

⁸ Nobakasika mucooko ca Makedoniya, Paulo abeenzinyina bakaunka ku Filipi, munzi oomo bantu mobakali kukkomana kapati kuba basicisi bana Roma. Kuli basikalumamba bana Roma ibakacita litaya ibakali kukkala mumunzi ooyu, munzi wa Filipi wakali mbuli Italy nsyoonto, nkokuti Roma nsyoonto iyakali mu Makedoniya. Anze aamulyango wamunzi, afwaafwi amulonga, bamisyinali bakajana busena ooko nkobakali kuyeeya kuti kwakali “busena bwakukombela.”b Mubuzuba bwa Sabata, bakaunka kubusena oobo akujana bamakaintu banji ibakabungene ooko kutegwa bakombe Leza. Basikwiiya bakakkala akubandika ambabo. Mukaintu wazina lya Lidiya “wakali kuswiilila, aboobo Jehova wakajalula moyo wakwe cakumaninina.” Lidiya twakamusika amoyo kapati twaambo ntwaakaiya kuli bamisyinali aaba cakuti walo abamuŋanda yakwe bakabbapatizyigwa. Mpoonya wakakombelezya Paulo abeenzinyina kutegwa baunke kuyookkala kuŋanda yakwe.c—Mil. 16:13-15.

9. Mbuti banji mazuba aano mbobaiya cikozyanyo ca Paulo, alimwi cisololela kuzilongezyo nzi?

⁹ Amweezyeezye buyo lukkomano lwakaboola akaambo kalubbapatizyo lwa Lidiya! Eelo kaka Paulo weelede kuti wakakkomana kuti wakakuzumina kutambwa ‘kwakuzabukila ku Makedoniya’ akuti Jehova wakacibona kuti cileelela kubelesya nguwe alimwi abeenzinyina kwiingula mipailo yabamakaintu aabo ibayoowa Leza! Mbubwenya buyo, mazuba aano bakwesu abacizyi banji, bana abapati, batakwete abatakwetwe, bakwete abakwetwe balongela kumasena ikuyandika basikumwaya ba Bwami banji. Masimpe ngakuti, balajana buyumu-yumu, pele tabukonzyi kweelana alukkomano ndobajana ciindi nobagwasya bantu ibali mbuli Lidiya, ibatambula kasimpe kamu Bbaibbele. Sena inga mwabambulula zintu munzila iikonzya kumupa kucikonzya ‘kuzabukila’ kucilawo cibulide? Ikuti mwacita oobo, zilongezyo zinji zilamulindila. Mucikozyanyo, amulange-lange cakacitikila Aaron, mukwesu uujisi myaka yakuma 20 iwakalongela kucisi icili ku Central America. Ulazuminizya anzyobaamba banji naamba kuti: “Kubelekela kucisi cimbi kwandigwasya kukomena kumuuya alimwi akuba acilongwe ciyumu a Jehova. Alimwi ndilaukkomanina kapati mulimo wamumuunda, ndisololela ziiyo zya Bbaibbele zili lusele!”

“Nkamu Yakababukila” (Milimo 16:16-24)

10. Mbuti milimo yamadaimona mboyakajatikizyidwe mukupa kuti Paulo abeenzinyina bakazyigwe alimwi akwaangwa?

¹⁰ Cakutadooneka Saatani weelede kuti wakanyema kapati ciindi makani mabotu naakatalika kumwaika mubusena oomo walo amadaimona aakwe mobakasimpide miyanda. Anu nkakaambo kaako tacigambyi kuti milimo yamadaimona yakalijatikizyidwe mukupa kuti Paulo abeenzinyina bakazyigwe alimwi akwaangwa! Nobakazumanana kuswaya busena bwakukombela, mubelesi umwi musimbi wakanjidwe daimona, iwakali kubaletela mpindu mpati basimalelaakwe kwiinda mukusonda, wakazumanana kumutobela Paulo abeenzinyina kayaaboompolola kuti: “Baalumi aaba mbazike ba Leza Mupatikampatila alimwi baambilizya nzila yalufwutuko kulindinywe.” Daimona eeli kweelede kuti lyakali kupa musimbi koompolola kutegwa cilibonye mbuli kuti zintu nzyaakali kusonda alimwi anjiisyo zya Paulo zyakali kuzwa kubusena bomwe. Munzila eeyo, basikulangilila bakali kukonzya kunyonganizyigwa kuti bataswiilili basikutobela Kristo beni-beni. Pele Paulo wakamuumuzya musimbi ooyu kwiinda mukulitanda daimona eelyo.—Mil. 16:16-18.

11. Ncinzi cakamucitikila Paulo a Sila ciindi daimona nolyakatandwa kuzwa mumusimbi?

¹¹ Ciindi basimalelaakwe nobakabona kuti nzila yakujanina mpindu yamana, bakanyema kapati. Bakakwelela Paulo a Sila kumusika, ooko beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya, nkokuti beendelezi ibakali kwiiminina bulelo bwa Roma, nkobakali kubetekela. Basimalelaakwe musimbi ooyu bakakombelezya babetesi kwiinda mukubelesya nzila yalusalululo alimwi akuyandisya cisi, munzila imwi kabaamba kuti: ‘Ba Juda aaba baleta manyongwe kwiinda mukuyiisya zilengwa swebo tobana Roma nzyotutakonzyi kuzumina.’ Majwi aabo akatobelwa cakufwambaana. “Nkamu [iyakali kumusika] yakababukila [ba Paulo a Sila],” mpoonya beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya bakalailila “kuti baumwe amisako.” Kuzwa waawo, ba Paulo a Sila bakabatola kuntolongo. Mulindizi wantolongo wakawaala baalumi aaba mbobakacisa muntolongo yamukati akwaanga maulu aabo muziliba. (Mil. 16:19-24) Ciindi mulindizi wantolongo naakaujala mulyango, kwakasiya mbi cakuti Paulo a Sila kweelede kuti tiibakali kucikonzya kubonana. Pele Jehova wakali kulangilila.—Int. 139:12.

12. (a) Mbuti basikwiiya ba Kristo mbobakubona kupenzyegwa, alimwi nkaambo nzi? (b) Ninzila nzi zimwi zyakukazyigwa nzyacibelesya Saatani abaabo mbeendelezya?

¹² Myaka iili mbwiibede musyule, Jesu wakaambilide basikumutobela bakwe kuti: “Bayoomupenzya andinywe.” (Joh. 15:20) Aboobo ciindi Paulo abeenzinyina nobakazabukila ku Makedoniya, bakalilibambilide kupenzyegwa. Aboobo ciindi kupenzyegwa nokwakatalika, tiibakakubona kuti ncitondezyo cakutakkomaninwa a Jehova pe, pele yakali nzila Saatani mbwaakali kutondezya bukali bwakwe. Mazuba aano, bantu ba Saatani bacibelesya nzila zikozyenye kuli zyeezyo zyakabelesyegwa ku Filipi. Basikutukazya basilweeno balaakwaamba twaambo twakubeja alimwi tutaluzi kujatikizya ndiswe kucikolo alimwi akumasena nkotubelekela, calo cileta kukazyigwa. Mumasi amwi, basizikombelo aaba ibatukazya balatutamikizya munkuta, munzila imwi kabaamba kuti: ‘Bakamboni aaba baleta manyongwe kwiinda mukuyiisya zilengwa swebo “tobasyomi bakaindi” nzyotutakonzyi kuzumina.’ Mumasena amwi, bakombima balaumwa akuwaalwa muntolongo. Nokuba boobo, Jehova ulalangilila.—1Pet. 3:12.

“Bakabbapatizyigwa Ndilyonya Eelyo” (Milimo 16:25-34)

13. Ino ncinzi cakapa mulindizi wantolongo kubuzya kuti: “Ino ncinzi ncondeelede kucita kutegwa ndifwutulwe?”

¹³ Cakutadooneka, Paulo a Sila bakali kuyandika ciindi kutegwa mizeezo ikkalikile kujatikizya zintu zyakacitika mubuzuba oobo. Nokuba boobo, akati kamasiku, bakapona kukuumwa nkobakaumwa cakuti “bakali kupaila akutembaula Leza munyimbo.” Mpoonya cakutayeeyela, muzuzumo wanyika wakazungaanya ntolongo! Mulindizi wantolongo wakasinsimuka muŋonzi akubona kuti milyango yantolongo yakalijalukide aboobo wakayoowa kuti baange batija. Mbwaanga wakalizyi kuti wakali kuyoosubulwa akaambo kakubalekela kuti batije, “wakasomona panga lyakwe akuyanda kulijaya.” Pele Paulo wakoongolola ajwi pati kati: “Utalijayi pe, nkaambo toonse nkotuli!” Mulindizi wantolongo ooyu iwakakopene wakabuzya kuti: “Nobami, ino ncinzi ncondeelede kucita kutegwa ndifwutulwe?” Paulo a Sila tiibakali kukonzya kumufwutula; alikke Jesu nguwakali kukonzya kucita boobo. Aboobo bakamwiingula kuti: “Kosyoma Mwami Jesu, eelyo ulafwutulwa.”—Mil. 16:25-31.

14. (a) Ino Paulo a Sila bakamugwasya buti mulindizi wantolongo? (b) Ino baalumi aaba bakalongezyegwa buti akaambo kakuliyumya cakukondwa ciindi nobakali kupenzyegwa?

¹⁴ Sena mubuzyo wamulindizi wantolongo wakali kuzwa ansi aamoyo? Paulo kunyina naakaludooneka luyandisisyo lwamwaalumi ooyu. Mulindizi wantolongo wakali Wamasi, iwatakaazyi Magwalo. Katanaba Munakristo, wakali kuyandika kwiiya akukazumina kasimpe kamu Magwalo ikanjiisyo zyantalisyo. Aboobo Paulo a Sila bakatola ciindi cili mbocibede kumwaambila “jwi lya Jehova.” Ciindi nobakajisi bubi kumuyiisya Magwalo, ambweni baalumi aaba bakaluba ambozyakali kucisa zyuumo nzyobakaumwa. Pele mulindizi wantolongo wakazibona zilonda zipati nzyobakajisi kusyule aboobo wakazisanzya zilonda zyabo. Mpoonya walo abamuŋanda yakwe “bakabbapatizyigwa ndilyonya eelyo.” Eelo kaka Paulo a Sila bakalongezyegwa kapati akaambo kakuliyumya cakukondwa ciindi nobakali kupenzyegwa!—Mil. 16:32-34.

15. (a) Mbuti Bakamboni banji mazuba aano mbobatobela cikozyanyo ca Paulo a Sila? (b) Nkaambo nzi ncotweelede kuzumanana kubaswaya mumaanda aabo ibali mucilawo cesu?

¹⁵ Mbubwenya mbuli Paulo a Sila, Bakamboni banji mazuba aano balakambauka makani mabotu nobaangidwe muntolongo akaambo kalusyomo lwabo, alimwi bazwidilila kapati. Mucikozyanyo, mucisi cimwi milimo yesu moilesyedwe, aciindi cimwi 40 pesenti ya Bakamboni boonse ibakkala mucisi eeco bakaiya kasimpe kujatikizya Jehova nobakali muntolongo. (Is. 54:17) Alimwi amubone kuti mulindizi wantolongo wakalomba lugwasyo lilikke buyo nowakacitika muzuzumo wanyika. Mbubwenya buyo, bamwi mazuba aano ibatanabuzuba bautambula mulumbe wa Bwami balakonzya kucita oobo nobacitikilwa penzi limwi mubuumi bwabo. Kwiinda mukuzumanana kubaswaya cakusyomeka aabo ibakkala mucilawo cesu, tuba masimpe kuti tulilibambilide kubagwasya ciindi nobayandika lugwasyo.

“Sena Lino Bayanda Kutugusya Kumbali?” (Milimo 16:35-40)

16. Mbuti zintu mbozyakacinca buzuba bwakatobela kuzwa nobakakwibbaulwa ba Paulo a Sila?

¹⁶ Mafwumofwumo mubuzuba bwakatobela kuzwa nobakakwibbaulwa, beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya bakalailila kuti Paulo a Sila baangununwe. Pele Paulo wakati: “Bakatukwibbauda abuleya notutakwe mulandu, nokuba kuti tuli bana Roma, akutuwaala muntolongo. Aboobo sena lino bayanda kutugusya kumbali? Peepe! Ababoole beni batugusye mbabo.” Nobakamvwa kuti baalumi bobilo aaba bakali basicisi bana Roma, beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya “bakayoowa,” nkaambo bakalunyonganya lwaanguluko lwabaalumi aaba.d Lino zintu zyakacinca. Basikwiiya bakaumwa abuleya; lino beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya bakeelede kulilekelela abuleya. Bakalomba Paulo a Sila kuti bazwe mu Filipi. Basikwiiya bobilo aaba bakazumina kuzwa, pele cakusaanguna bakabelesya ciindi cili mbocibede kukulwaizya basikwiiya bapya ibakali kuyaabuvwula. Lilikke nobakamana ndendilyo nobakaunka.

17. Nciiyo nzi ciyandika kapati ncobakaiya basikwiiya bapya kwiinda mukulangilila kuliyumya kwa Paulo a Sila?

¹⁷ Ikuti kumatalikilo ba Paulo a Sila nobakalemekwa mbobakali basicisi bana Roma, ambweni buya nobatakakwibbaulwa. (Mil. 22:25, 26) Nokuba boobo, eeco nocakapa basikwiiya mu Filipi kuba amuzeezo wakuti baalumi aaba bakabelesya mikuli njobakajisi kutegwa beelebe mapenzi aaboola akaambo kakutobela Kristo. Ino eeco nocakalujatikizya buti lusyomo lwabasikwiiya ibatakali basicisi bana Roma? Alimwi buya, mulawo kunyina nowakali kuyoobakwabilila kukukwibbaulwa. Aboobo akaambo kakuliyumya nobakasubulwa, Paulo amweenzinyina bakatondezya basyomi bapya kwiinda mucikozyanyo cabo kuti basikutobela Kristo balakonzya kuliyumya nobapenzyegwa. Kuyungizya waawo, kwiinda mukulailila kuti lwaanguluko lwabo lwakuba basicisi lulemekwe, Paulo a Sila bakasinikizya beendelezi batwaambo twabuleya kutondezya kubuleya kuti bakacita cintu icatakali mumulawo. Aboobo eeci cakali kuyoobalesya kupenzya basyominyina Paulo alimwi akubapa lukwabililo lwamumulawo kutegwa kumbele kutakabi mapenzi aali boobu.

18. (a) Mbuti balangizi Banakristo mazuba aano mbobaiya cikozyanyo ca Paulo? (b) Mbuti mbotukonzya ‘kukwabilila akusitikizya makani mabotu mumulawo’ mazuba aano?

¹⁸ Mazuba aano, balangizi mumbungano zya Bunakristo abalo balapa busolozi kwiinda mucikozyanyo cabo. Kufwumbwa nzyobalangila kuti basyominyina bacite, beembezi Banakristo abalo balilibambilide kuzicita. Mbubwenya mbuli Paulo, cakubikkila maano tulalanga-langa mbotukonzya kulubelesya lwaanguluko ndotujisi alimwi anotweelede kulubelesya kutegwa tujane lukwabililo. Ikuti kwayandika, tulaunka kunkuta zijanika muzilawo motukkala, zyamucisi alimwi buya akunkuta zipati zilanganya milandu iicitika mumasi kutegwa tujane lukwabililo lwamumulawo lwakucita bukombi bwesu. Makanze eesu taali aakutola lubazu mumilimo iicitwa amfwulumende pe, pele ‘ngakukwabilila akusitikizya makani mabotu mumulawo’ mbubwenya Paulo mbwaakalembela mbungano yaku Filipi nokwakainda myaka iisika ku 10 kuzwa naakali muntolongo ooko. (Flp. 1:7) Mbubwenya mbuli Paulo abeenzinyina, tulikanzide kuzumanana ‘kwaambilizya makani mabotu’ kufwumbwa muuya wa Leza nkoukonzya kutusololela tacikwe makani ambwaakonzya kukosolwa makani aali boobu munkuta.—Mil. 16:10.