1
Ni neno la kuaminiwa; mtu akitaka kazi ya askofu, atamani kazi njema.
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
2
Basi imempasa askofu awe mtu asiyelaumika, mume wa mke mmoja, mwenye kiasi na busara, mtu wa utaratibu, mkaribishaji, ajuaye kufundisha;
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3
si mtu wa kuzoelea ulevi, si mpiga watu; bali awe mpole; si mtu wa kujadiliana, wala asiwe mwenye kupenda fedha;
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
4
mwenye kuisimamia nyumba yake vema, ajuaye kutiisha watoto katika ustahivu;
An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.
5
(yaani, mtu asiyejua kuisimamia nyumba yake mwenyewe, atalitunzaje Kanisa la Mungu?)
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
6
Wala asiwe mtu aliyeongoka karibu, asije akajivuna akaanguka katika hukumu ya Ibilisi.
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
7
Tena imempasa kushuhudiwa mema na watu walio nje; ili asianguke katika lawama na mtego wa Ibilisi.
Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
8
Vivyo hivyo mashemasi na wawe wastahivu; si wenye kauli mbili, si watu wa kutumia mvinyo sana,si watu wanaotamani fedha ya aibu.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.
9
wakiishika siri ya imani katika dhamiri safi.
They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10
Hawa pia na wajaribiwe kwanza; baadaye waitende kazi ya shemasi, wakiisha kuonekana kuwa hawana hatia.
Additionally, they must first be tested. Then, if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11
Vivyo hivyo wake zao na wawe wastahivu; si wasingiziaji; watu wa kiasi, waaminifu katika mambo yote.
In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.
12
Mashemasi na wawe waume wa mke mmoja, wakiwasimamia watoto wao vizuri, na nyumba zao.
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.
13
Kwa maana watendao vema kazi ya shemasi hujipatia daraja nzuri, na ujasiri mwingi katika imani iliyo katika Kristo Yesu.
For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14
Nakuandikia hayo nikitaraji kuja kwako hivi karibu.
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things
15
Lakini nikikawia, upate kujua jinsi iwapasavyo watu kuenenda katika nyumba ya Mungu, iliyo kanisa la Mungu aliye hai, nguzo na msingi wa kweli.
in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16
Na bila shaka siri ya utauwa ni kuu. Mungu alidhihirishwa katika mwili, Akajulika kuwa na haki katika roho, Akaonekana na malaika, Akahubiriwa katika mataifa, Akaaminiwa katika ulimwengu, Akachukuliwa juu katika utukufu.
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.