1
Kwa sababu hiyo, tukiacha kuyanena mafundisho ya kwanza ya Kristo, tukaze mwendo ili tuufikilie utimilifu; tusiweke msingi tena wa kuzitubia kazi zisizo na uhai, na wa kuwa na imani kwa Mungu,
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
2
na wa mafundisho ya mabatizo, na kuwekea mikono, na kufufuliwa wafu, na hukumu ya milele.
instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3
Na hayo tutafanya Mungu akitujalia.
And this we will do, if God permits.
4
Kwa maana hao waliokwisha kupewa nuru, na kukionja kipawa cha mbinguni, na kufanywa washirika wa Roho Mtakatifu,
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5
na kulionja neno zuri la Mungu, na nguvu za zamani zijazo,
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—
6
wakaanguka baada ya hayo, haiwezekani kuwafanya upya tena hata wakatubu; kwa kuwa wamsulibisha Mwana wa Mungu mara ya pili kwa nafsi zao, na kumfedhehi kwa dhahiri.
and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.
7
Maana nchi inayoinywa mvua inayoinyeshea mara kwa mara, na kuzaa mboga zenye manufaa kwa hao ambao kwa ajili yao yalimwa, hushiriki baraka zitokazo kwa Mungu;
For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God.
8
bali ikitoa miiba na magugu hukataliwa na kuwa karibu na laana; ambayo mwisho wake ni kuteketezwa.
But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
9
Lakini, wapenzi, ijapokuwa twanena hayo, katika habari zenu tumesadiki mambo yaliyo mazuri zaidi, na yaliyo na wokovu.
Even though we speak like this, beloved, we are convinced of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation.
10
Maana Mungu si dhalimu hata aisahau kazi yenu, na pendo lile mlilolidhihirisha kwa jina lake, kwa kuwa mmewahudumia watakatifu, na hata hivi sasa mngali mkiwahudumia.
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
11
Nasi twataka sana kila mmoja wenu aidhihirishe bidii ile ile, kwa utimilifu wa matumaini hata mwisho;
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
12
ili msiwe wavivu, bali mkawe wafuasi wa hao wazirithio ahadi kwa imani na uvumilivu.
Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
13
Kwa maana Mungu, alipompa Ibrahimu ahadi, kwa sababu alikuwa hana mkubwa kuliko yeye mwenyewe wa kumwapa, aliapa kwa nafsi yake,
When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
14
akisema, Hakika yangu kubariki nitakubariki, na kuongeza nitakuongeza.
saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
15
Na hivyo kwa kuvumilia akaipata ile ahadi.
And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise.
16
Maana wanadamu huapa kwa yeye aliye mkuu kuliko wao; na kwao ukomo wa mashindano yote ya maneno ni kiapo, kwa kuyathibitisha.
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
17
Katika neno hilo Mungu, akitaka kuwaonyesha zaidi sana warithio ile ahadi, jinsi mashauri yake yasivyoweza kubadilika, alitia kiapo katikati;
So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
18
ili kwa vitu viwili visivyoweza kubadilika, ambavyo katika hivyo Mungu hawezi kusema uongo, tupate faraja iliyo imara, sisi tuliokimbilia kuyashika matumaini yale yawekwayo mbele yetu;
Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.
19
tuliyo nayo kama nanga ya roho, yenye salama, yenye nguvu, yaingiayo hata mle mlimo ndani ya pazia,
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20
alimoingia Yesu kwa ajili yetu, mtangulizi wetu, amekuwa kuhani mkuu hata milele kwa mfano wa Melkizedeki.
where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.