1
Wo wote walio chini ya kongwa, hali ya utumwa, na wawahesabie bwana zao kuwa wamestahili heshima yote, jina la Mungu lisitukanwe wala mafundisho yetu.
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
2
Na wale walio na bwana waaminio wasiwadharau kwa kuwa ni ndugu; bali afadhali wawatumikie, kwa sababu hao waishirikio faida ya kazi yao wamekuwa wenye imani na kupendwa. Mambo hayo uyafundishe na kuonya.
Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
3
Mtu awaye yote akifundisha elimu nyingine, wala hayakubali maneno yenye uzima ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, wala mafundisho yapatanayo na utauwa,
If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
4
amejivuna; wala hafahamu neno lo lote; bali ana wazimu wa kuwazia habari za maswali, na mashindano ya maneno, ambayo katika hayo hutoka husuda, na ugomvi, na matukano, na shuku mbaya;
he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
5
na majadiliano ya watu walioharibika akili zao, walioikosa kweli, huku wakidhani ya kuwa utauwa ni njia ya kupata faida.
and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.
6
Walakini utauwa pamoja na kuridhika ni faida kubwa.
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
7
Kwa maana hatukuja na kitu duniani, tena hatuwezi kutoka na kitu;
For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.
8
ila tukiwa na chakula na nguo tutaridhika na vitu hivyo.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
9
Lakini hao watakao kuwa na mali huanguka katika majaribu na tanzi, na tamaa nyingi zisizo na maana, zenye kudhuru, ziwatosazo wanadamu katika upotevu na uharibifu.
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10
Maana shina moja la mabaya ya kila namna ni kupenda fedha; ambayo wengine hali wakiitamani hiyo wamefarakana na Imani, na kujichoma kwa maumivu mengi.
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11
Bali wewe, mtu wa Mungu, uyakimbie mambo hayo; ukafuate haki, utauwa, imani, upendo, saburi, upole.
But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12
Piga vita vile vizuri vya imani; shika uzima ule wa milele ulioitiwa, ukaungama maungamo mazuri mbele ya mashahidi wengi.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
13
Nakuagiza mbele za Mungu anayevihifadhi hai vitu vyote, na mbele za Kristo Yesu, aliyeyaungama maungamo mazuri yale mbele ya Pontio Pilato,
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
14
kwamba uilinde amri hii pasipo mawaa, pasipo lawama, hata kufunuliwa kwake Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo;
Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15
ambako yeye kwa majira yake atakudhihirisha, yeye aliyehimidiwa, Mwenye uweza peke yake, Mfalme wa wafalme, Bwana wa mabwana;
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.
16
ambaye yeye peke yake hapatikani na mauti, amekaa katika nuru isiyoweza kukaribiwa; wala hakuna mwanadamu aliyemwona, wala awezaye kumwona. Heshima na uweza una yeye hata milele. Amina.
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
17
Walio matajiri wa ulimwengu wa sasa uwaagize wasijivune, wala wasiutumainie utajiri usio yakini, bali wamtumaini Mungu atupaye vitu vyote kwa wingi ili tuvitumie kwa furaha.
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
18
Watende mema, wawe matajiri kwa kutenda mema, wawe tayari kutoa mali zao, washirikiane na wengine kwa moyo;
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
19
huku wakijiwekea akiba iwe msingi mzuri kwa wakati ujao, ili wapate uzima ulio kweli kweli.
treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
20
Ee Timotheo, ilinde hiyo amana; ujiepushe na maneno yasiyo ya dini, yasiyo na maana, na mashindano ya elimu iitwayo elimu kwa uongo;
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
21
ambayo wengine wakiikiri hiyo wameikosa Imani. Neema na iwe pamoja nanyi.
which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all.