1
Nasi tukitenda kazi pamoja naye twawasihi msiipokee neema ya Mungu bure.
As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2
(Kwa maana asema, Wakati uliokubalika nalikusikia, Siku ya wokovu nalikusaidia;tazama,wakati uliokubalika ndiyo sasa; tazama siku ya wokovu ni sasa)
For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!
3
Tusiwe kwazo la namna yo yote katika jambo lo lote, ili utumishi wetu usilaumiwe;
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
4
bali katika kila neno tujipatie sifa njema, kama watumishi wa Mungu; katika saburi nyingi, katika dhiki, katika misiba, katika shida;
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
5
katika mapigo, katika vifungo, katika fitina, katika taabu, katika kukesha, katika kufunga;
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;
6
katika kuwa safi, katika elimu, katika uvumilivu, katika utu wema, katika Roho Mtakatifu, katika upendo usio unafiki;
in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;
7
katika neno la kweli, katika nguvu ya Mungu; kwa silaha za haki za mkono wa kuume na za mkono wa kushoto;
in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8
kwa utukufu na aibu; kwa kunenwa vibaya na kunenwa vema; kama wadanganyao, bali tu watu wa kweli;
through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;
9
kama wasiojulikana, bali wajulikanao sana; kama wanaokufa, kumbe tu hai; kama wanaorudiwa, bali wasiouawa;
unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed;
10
kama wenye huzuni, bali siku zote tu wenye furaha; kama maskini, bali tukitajirisha wengi; kama wasio na kitu, bali tu wenye vitu vyote.
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
11
Vinywa vyetu vimefumbuliwa kwenu, enyi Wakorintho; mioyo yetu imekunjuliwa.
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
12
Hamsongwi ndani yetu, bali mwasongwa katika mioyo yenu.
It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
13
Basi, ili mlipe kadiri ile mliyopewa (nasema nanyi kama na watoto), nanyi pia mkunjuliwe mioyo.
As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
14
Msifungiwe nira pamoja na wasioamini, kwa jinsi isivyo sawasawa; kwa maana pana urafiki gani kati ya haki na uasi? Tena pana shirika gani kati ya nuru na giza?
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15
Tena pana ulinganifu gani kati ya Kristo na Beliari? Au yeye aaminiye ana sehemu gani pamoja na yeye asiyeamini?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16
Tena pana mapatano gani kati ya hekalu la Mungu na sanamu? Kwa maana sisi tu hekalu la Mungu aliye hai; kama Mungu alivyosema, ya kwamba, Nitakaa ndani yao, na kati yao nitatembea, nami nitakuwa Mungu wao, nao watakuwa watu wangu.
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
17
Kwa hiyo, Tokeni kati yao, Mkatengwe nao, asema Bwana, Msiguse kitu kilicho kichafu, Nami nitawakaribisha.
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18
Nitakuwa Baba kwenu, Nanyi mtakuwa kwangu wanangu wa kiume na wa kike,
And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”