1
Hii ndiyo mara ya tatu ya mimi kuja kwenu. Kwa vinywa vya mashahidi wawili au watatu kila neno litathibitishwa.
This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
2
Nimetangulia kuwaambia; na, kama vile nilipokuwapo mara ya pili, vivyo hivyo sasa nisipokuwapo, nawaambia wazi wao waliotenda dhambi tangu hapo, na wengine wote, ya kwamba, nikija, sitahurumia;
I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
3
kwa kuwa mnatafuta dalili ya Kristo, asemaye ndani yangu, ambaye si dhaifu kwenu, bali ana uweza ndani yenu.
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.
4
Maana, alisulibiwa katika udhaifu, lakini anaishi kwa nguvu za Mungu. Maana sisi nasi tu dhaifu katika yeye; lakini tutaishi pamoja naye kwa uweza wa Mungu ulio kwenu.
For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you.
5
Jijaribuni wenyewe kwamba mmekuwa katika imani; jithibitisheni wenyewe. Au hamjijui wenyewe, kwamba Yesu Kristo yu ndani yenu? Isipokuwa mmekataliwa.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?
6
Lakini natumaini kama mtajua ya kuwa sisi hatukukataliwa.
And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.
7
Nasi twamwomba Mungu, msifanye lo lote lililo baya; si kwamba sisi tuonekane tumekubaliwa, lakini ninyi mfanye lile lililo jema, tujapokuwa sisi tu kama waliokataliwa.
Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.
8
Maana hatuwezi kutenda neno lo lote kinyume cha kweli, bali kwa ajili ya kweli.
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
9
Maana twafurahi, iwapo sisi tu dhaifu, nanyi mmekuwa hodari. Tena twaomba hili nalo, kutimilika kwenu.
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.
10
Kwa sababu hiyo, naandika haya nisipokuwapo, ili, nikiwapo, nisiutumie ukali kwa kadiri ya uwezo ule niliopewa na Bwana, kwa kujenga wala si kwa kubomoa.
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
11
Hatimaye, ndugu, kwaherini; mtimilike, mfarijike, nieni mamoja, mkae katika amani; na Mungu wa upendo na amani atakuwa pamoja nanyi.
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12
Salimianeni kwa busu takatifu.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
13
Watakatifu wote wawasalimu.
All the saints send you greetings.
14
Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo, na pendo la Mungu, na ushirika wa Roho Mtakatifu ukae nanyi nyote.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.