1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
1Mwishowe hatukuweza kuvumilia zaidi. Basi, tuliamua kubaki kule Athene peke yetu,
2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2na kumtuma kwenu ndugu yetu Timotheo, ambaye ni mfanyakazi mwenzetu kwa ajili ya Mungu katika kuhubiri Habari Njema ya Kristo. Tulimtuma ili awaimarisheni na kuwafarijini,
3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
3kusudi imani ya mtu yeyote miongoni mwenu isije ikafifia kwa sababu ya taabu hizo. Ninyi mnajua kwamba tunapaswa kupata mateso.
4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
4Maana, tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi, tuliwaambieni kwamba tutateswa; na kama mjuavyo ndivyo ilivyotukia.
5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
5Ndio maana nilimtuma Timotheo kwenu. Sikuweza kungoja zaidi, na hivyo nilimtuma nipate habari za imani yenu. Isije ikawa labda Mshawishi aliwajaribuni na kazi yote tuliyofanya miongoni mwenu imepotea bure!
6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
6Sasa Timotheo amekwisha rudi, naye ametupa habari za kufurahisha kuhusu imani na upendo wenu. Ametuarifu kwamba mnatukumbuka daima, na kwamba mna hamu ya kutuona sisi kama nasi tulivyo na hamu ya kuwaoneni.
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
7Basi, habari za imani yenu zimetutia moyo katika taabu na mateso yetu yote,
8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
8kwani sasa tunaishi kweli ikiwa ninyi mnasimama imara katika kuungana na Bwana.
9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
9Sasa twaweza kumshukuru Mungu wetu kwa ajili yenu. Tunamshukuru kwa furaha tuliyo nayo mbele yake kwa sababu yenu.
10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
10Tunazidi kumwomba Mungu usiku na mchana kwa moyo wetu wote ili atupatie fursa ya kuwaoneni uso kwa uso ili tuweze kurekebisha chochote kilichopungua katika imani yenu.
11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
11Tunamwomba Mungu, Baba yetu mwenyewe, na Bwana wetu Yesu atutayarishie njia ya kuja kwenu.
12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
12Bwana awawezeshe ninyi kupendana na kuwapenda watu wote zaidi na zaidi, kama vile sisi tunavyowapenda ninyi.
13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
13Hivyo ataiimarisha mioyo yenu, nanyi mtakuwa wakamilifu na watakatifu mbele ya Mungu na Baba yetu wakati Bwana wetu Yesu atakapokuja pamoja na wote walio wake.