1
Uwakumbushe watu kunyenyekea kwa wenye uwezo na mamlaka, na kutii, na kuwa tayari kwa kila kazi njema;
Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
2
wasimtukane mtu ye yote, wasiwe wagomvi, wawe wema, wakionyesha upole wote kwa watu wote.
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
3
Maana hapo zamani sisi nasi tulikuwa hatuna akili, tulikuwa waasi, tumedanganywa, huku tukitumikia tamaa na anasa za namna nyingi, tukiishi katika uovu na husuda, tukichukiza na kuchukiana.
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4
Lakini wema wake Mwokozi wetu Mungu, na upendo wake kwa wanadamu, ulipofunuliwa, alituokoa;
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5
si kwa sababu ya matendo ya haki tuliyoyatenda sisi; bali kwa rehema yake, kwa kuoshwa kwa kuzaliwa kwa pili na kufanywa upya na Roho Mtakatifu;
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6
ambaye alitumwagia kwa wingi, kwa njia ya Yesu Kristo Mwokozi wetu;
This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7
ili tukihesabiwa haki kwa neema yake, tupate kufanywa warithi wa uzima wa milele, kama lilivyo tumaini letu.
so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
8
Ni neno la kuaminiwa; na mambo hayo nataka uyanene kwa nguvu, ili wale waliomwamini Mungu wakumbuke kudumu katika matendo mema. Hayo ni mazuri, tena yana faida kwa wanadamu.
This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
9
Lakini maswali ya upuzi ujiepushe nayo, na nasaba, na magomvi, na mashindano ya sheria. Kwa kuwa hayana faida, tena hayana maana.
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
10
Mtu aliye mzushi, baada ya kumwonya mara ya kwanza na mara ya pili, mkatae;
Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
11
ukijua ya kuwa mtu kama huyo amepotoka, tena atenda dhambi, maana amejihukumu hatia yeye mwenyewe.
knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.
12
Wakati nitakapomtuma Artema kwako au Tikiko, jitahidi kuja kwangu huku Nikopoli; kwa maana huku nimekusudia kukaa wakati wa baridi.
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
13
Zena, yule mwana-sheria, na Apolo, uwasafirishe kwa bidii, wasipungukiwe na cho chote.
Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.
14
Watu wetu nao wajifunze kudumu katika matendo mema, kwa matumizi yaliyo lazima, ili wasiwe hawana matunda.
And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
15
Watu wote walio pamoja nami wakusalimu. Tusalimie wale watupendao katika imani. Neema na iwe pamoja nanyi nyote.
All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.