1
Kwa habari za kuwahudumia watakatifu sina haja ya kuwaandikia.
Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.
2
Maana najua utayari wenu, ninaojisifia kwa ajili yenu kwa Wamakedonia, kwamba Akaya ilikuwa tayari tangu mwaka mzima; na bidii yenu imewatia moyo wengi wao.
For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.
3
Lakini naliwatuma hao ndugu, ili kujisifu kwetu kwa ajili yenu kusibatilike katika jambo hili; mpate kuwa tayari, kama nilivyosema;
But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.
4
kusudi, wakija Wamakedonia pamoja nami, na kuwakuta hamjawa tayari, tusije tukatahayarika sisi, (tusiseme ninyi), katika hali hiyo ya kutumaini.
Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
5
Basi naliona ya kuwa ni lazima niwaonye ndugu hawa watangulie kufika kwenu, na kutengeneza mapema karama yenu mliyoahidi tangu zamani, ili iwe tayari, na hivi iwe kama kipawa, wala si kama kitu kitolewacho kwa unyimivu.
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.
6
Lakini nasema neno hili, Apandaye haba atavuna haba; apandaye kwa ukarimu atavuna kwa ukarimu.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7
Kila mtu na atende kama alivyokusudia moyoni mwake, si kwa huzuni, wala si kwa lazima; maana Mungu humpenda yeye atoaye kwa moyo wa ukunjufu.
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
8
Na Mungu aweza kuwajaza kila neema kwa wingi, ili ninyi, mkiwa na riziki za kila namna siku zote, mpate kuzidi sana katika kila tendo jema;
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
9
kama ilivyoandikwa, Ametapanya, amewapa maskini, Haki yake yakaa milele.
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10
Na yeye ampaye mbegu mwenye kupanda, na mkate uwe chakula, atawapa mbegu za kupanda na kuzizidisha, naye atayaongeza mazao ya haki yenu;
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11
mkitajirishwa katika vitu vyote mpate kuwa na ukarimu wote, umpatiao Mungu shukrani kwa kazi yetu.
You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
12
Maana utumishi wa huduma hii hauwatimizii watakatifu riziki walizopungukiwa tu, bali huzidi sana kuwa na faida kwa shukrani nyingi apewazo Mungu;
For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.
13
kwa kuwa mkijaribiwa kwa utumishi huo, wanamtukuza Mungu kwa ajili ya utii wenu katika kuikiri Injili ya Kristo, na kwa ajili ya ukarimu wenu mliowashirikisha wao na watu wote.
Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.
14
Nao wenyewe, wakiomba dua kwa ajili yenu, wawaonea shauku kwa sababu ya neema ya Mungu iliyozidi sana ndani yenu.
And their prayers for you will express their affection for you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
15
Mungu ashukuriwe kwa sababu ya kipawa chake, tusichoweza kukisifu kama ipasavyo.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!