1
Basi kwa hiyo, tulipokuwa hatuwezi kuvumilia zaidi, tuliona vema kuachwa Athene peke yetu.
So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
2
Tukamtuma Timotheo ndugu yetu, mtumishi wa Mungu katika Injili ya Kristo, ili kuwafanya ninyi imara na kuwafariji kwa habari ya imani yenu;
We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3
mtu asifadhaishwe na dhiki hizi; maana ninyi wenyewe mnajua ya kuwa twawekewa hizo.
so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
4
Kwa kuwa tulipokuwapo kwenu tulitangulia kuwaambia kwamba tutapata dhiki, kama ilivyotukia, nanyi mwajua.
Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
5
Kwa hiyo mimi nami nilipokuwa siwezi kuvumilia tena, nalituma mtu ili niijue imani yenu, asije yule mjaribu akawajaribu, na taabu yetu ikawa haina faida.
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.
6
Lakini Timotheo alipotujia hivi sasa kutoka kwenu, alituletea habari njema za imani yenu na upendo wenu, na ya kwamba mnatukumbuka vema siku zote; mkitamani kutuona sisi vile vile kama sisi kuwaona ninyi.
But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
7
Kwa sababu hiyo, ndugu, tulifarijiwa kwa habari zenu, katika msiba na dhiki yetu yote, kwa imani yenu.
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
8
Kwa kuwa sasa twaishi, ikiwa ninyi mnasimama imara katika Bwana.
For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
9
Maana ni shukrani gani tuwezayo kumlipa Mungu kwa ajili yenu, kwa furaha ile yote tunayoifurahia, kwa sababu yenu mbele za Mungu wetu;
How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?
10
usiku na mchana tunapoomba kwa juhudi tupate kuwaona nyuso zenu, na kuyatengeneza mapungufu ya imani yenu?
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11
Basi Mungu mwenyewe, Baba yetu, na Bwana wetu Yesu, atuongoze njia yetu tufike kwenu.
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
12
Bwana na awaongeze na kuwazidisha katika upendo, ninyi kwa ninyi, na kwa watu wote, kama vile sisi nasi tulivyo kwenu;
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
13
apate kuifanya imara mioyo yenu iwe bila lawama katika utakatifu mbele za Mungu, Baba yetu, wakati wa kuja kwake Bwana wetu Yesu pamoja na watakatifu wake wote.
so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.