1
Kwa maana twajua ya kuwa nyumba ya maskani yetu iliyo ya dunia hii ikiharibiwa, tunalo jengo litokalo kwa Mungu, nyumba isiyofanywa kwa mikono, iliyo ya milele mbinguni.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2
Maana katika nyumba hii twaugua, tukitamani sana kuvikwa kao letu litokalo mbinguni;
For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
3
ikiwa tukiisha kuvikwa hatutaonekana tu uchi.
because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4
Kwa sababu sisi tulio katika maskani hii twaugua, tukilemewa; si kwamba twataka kuvuliwa, bali kuvikwa, ili kitu kile kipatikanacho na mauti kimezwe na uzima.
For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5
Basi yeye aliyetufanya kwa ajili ya neno lilo hilo ni Mungu, aliyetupa arabuni ya Roho.
And it is God who has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.
6
Basi siku zote tuna moyo mkuu; tena twajua ya kuwa, wakati tuwapo hapa katika mwili, tunakaa mbali na Bwana.
Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord.
7
(Maana twaenenda kwa imani, si kwa kuona.)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
8
Lakini tuna moyo mkuu; nasi tunaona ni afadhali kutokuwamo katika mwili na kukaa pamoja na Bwana.
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
9
Kwa hiyo, tena, ikiwa tupo hapa, au ikiwa hatupo hapa, twajitahidi kumpendeza yeye.
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it.
10
Kwa maana imetupasa sisi sote kudhihirishwa mbele ya kiti cha hukumu cha Kristo, ili kila mtu apokee ijara ya mambo aliyotenda kwa mwili, kadiri alivyotenda, kwamba ni mema au mabaya.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
11
Basi tukiijua hofu ya Bwana, twawavuta wanadamu; lakini tumedhihirishwa mbele za Mungu. Nami natumaini ya kuwa tumedhihirishwa katika dhamiri zenu pia.
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
12
Maana hatujisifu wenyewe mbele yenu tena, bali tunawapa sababu ya kujisifu kwa ajili yetu, ili mpate kuwa nayo mbele yao wanaojisifu kwa mambo ya nje tu, wala si kwa mambo ya moyoni.
We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
13
Maana ikiwa tumerukwa na akili zetu, ni kwa ajili ya Mungu; au ikiwa tunazo akili zetu timamu, ni kwa ajili yenu.
If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
14
Maana, upendo wa Kristo watubidisha; maana tumehukumu hivi, ya kwamba mmoja alikufa kwa ajili ya wote, basi walikufa wote;
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
15
tena alikufa kwa ajili ya wote, ili walio hai wasiwe hai tena kwa ajili ya nafsi zao wenyewe, bali kwa ajili yake yeye aliyekufa akafufuka kwa ajili yao.
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
16
Hata imekuwa, sisi tangu sasa hatumjui mtu awaye yote kwa jinsi ya mwili. Ingawa sisi tumemtambua Kristo kwa jinsi ya mwili, lakini sasa hatumtambui hivi tena.
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17
Hata imekuwa, mtu akiwa ndani ya Kristo amekuwa kiumbe kipya; ya kale yamepita tazama! Yamekuwa mapya.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
18
Lakini vyote pia vyatokana na Mungu, aliyetupatanisha sisi na nafsi yake kwa Kristo, naye alitupa huduma ya upatanisho;
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19
yaani, Mungu alikuwa ndani ya Kristo, akiupatanisha ulimwengu na nafsi yake, asiwahesabie makosa yao; naye ametia ndani yetu neno la upatanisho.
that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
20
Basi tu wajumbe kwa ajili ya Kristo, kana kwamba Mungu anasihi kwa vinywa vyetu; twawaomba ninyi kwa ajili ya Kristo mpatanishwe na Mungu.
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
21
Yeye asiyejua dhambi alimfanya kuwa dhambi kwa ajili yetu, ili sisi tupate kuwa haki ya Mungu katika Yeye.
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.