1
Mtu na atuhesabu hivi, kuwa tu watumishi wa Kristo, na mawakili wa siri za Mungu.
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2
Hapo tena inayohitajiwa katika mawakili, ndiyo mtu aonekane kuwa mwaminifu.
Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
3
Lakini, kwangu mimi, si kitu kabisa nihukumiwe na ninyi, wala kwa hukumu ya kibinadamu, wala sijihukumu hata nafsi yangu.
I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4
Maana sijui sababu ya kujishitaki nafsi yangu, lakini sihesabiwi haki kwa ajili hiyo; ila anihukumuye mimi ni Bwana.
My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
5
Basi ninyi msihukumu neno kabla ya wakati wake, hata ajapo Bwana; ambaye atayamulikisha yaliyositirika ya giza, na kuyadhihirisha mashauri ya mioyo; ndipo kila mtu atakapoipata sifa yake kwa Mungu.
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
6
Basi ndugu, mambo hayo nimeyafanya kuwa mfano wa mimi na Apolo kwa ajili yenu, ili kwamba kwa mfano wetu mpate kujifunza kutokupita yale yaliyoandikwa; ili mmoja wenu asijivune kwa ajili ya huyu, kinyume cha mwenziwe.
Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
7
Maana ni nani anayekupambanua na mwingine? Nawe una nini usichokipokea? Lakini iwapo ulipokea, wajisifia nini kana kwamba hukupokea?
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8
Mmekwisha kushiba, mmekwisha kupata utajiri, mmemiliki pasipo sisi. Naam, laiti mngemiliki, ili sisi nasi tumiliki pamoja nanyi!
Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
9
Maana nadhani ya kuwa Mungu ametutoa sisi mitume mwisho, kama watu waliohukumiwa wauawe; kwa sababu tumekuwa tamasha kwa dunia; kwa malaika na wanadamu.
For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
10
Sisi tu wapumbavu kwa ajili ya Kristo, lakini ninyi ni wenye akili katika Kristo; sisi tu dhaifu, lakini ninyi mna nguvu; ninyi mna utukufu, lakini sisi hatupati heshima.
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11
Hata saa hii ya sasa, tuna njaa na kiu, tu uchi, twapigwa ngumi, tena hatuna makao;
To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12
kisha twataabika tukifanya kazi kwa mikono yetu wenyewe. Tukitukanwa twabariki, tukiudhiwa twastahimili;
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13
tukisingiziwa twasihi; tumefanywa kama takataka za dunia, na tama ya vitu vyote hata sasa.
when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14
Siyaandiki hayo ili kuwatahayarisha; bali kuwaonya kama watoto niwapendao.
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15
Kwa kuwa ijapokuwa mna waalimu kumi elfu katika Kristo, walakini hamna baba wengi. Maana mimi ndimi niliyewazaa katika Kristo Yesu kwa njia ya Injili.
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16
Basi, nawasihi mnifuate mimi.
Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17
Kwa sababu hii nimemtuma Timotheo kwenu, aliye mwanangu mpendwa, mwaminifu katika Bwana, atakayewakumbusha njia zangu zilizo katika Kristo, kama vile nifundishavyo kila mahali katika kila kanisa.
That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
18
Basi wengine wamejivuna kana kwamba siji kwenu.
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19
Lakini nitakuja kwenu upesi, nikijaliwa, nami nitafahamu, si neno lao tu waliojivuna, bali nguvu zao.
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
20
Maana ufalme wa Mungu hauwi katika neno, bali katika nguvu.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
21
Mnataka vipi? Nije kwenu na fimbo, au nije katika upendo na roho ya upole?
Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?