1Wherefore, being no longer able to refrain ourselves, we thought good to be left alone in Athens,
1Mwishowe hatukuweza kuvumilia zaidi. Basi, tuliamua kubaki kule Athene peke yetu,
2and sent Timotheus, our brother and fellow-workman under God in the glad tidings of Christ, to confirm you and encourage [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 one might be moved by these afflictions. (For yourselves know that we are set for this;
3kusudi imani ya mtu yeyote miongoni mwenu isije ikafifia kwa sababu ya taabu hizo. Ninyi mnajua kwamba tunapaswa kupata mateso.
4for also, when we were with you, we told you beforehand we are about to be in tribulation, even as also it came to pass, and ye know.)
4Maana, tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi, tuliwaambieni kwamba tutateswa; na kama mjuavyo ndivyo ilivyotukia.
5For this reason *I* also, no longer able to refrain myself, sent to know your faith, lest perhaps the tempter had tempted you and our labour should be come to nothing.
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 Timotheus having just come to us from you, and brought to us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have always good remembrance of us, desiring much to see us, even as we also 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.
7for this reason we have been comforted in you, brethren, in all our distress and tribulation, through your faith,
7Basi, habari za imani yenu zimetutia moyo katika taabu na mateso yetu yote,
8because now we live if *ye* stand firm in [the] Lord.
8kwani sasa tunaishi kweli ikiwa ninyi mnasimama imara katika kuungana na Bwana.
9For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on account of you before our God,
9Sasa twaweza kumshukuru Mungu wetu kwa ajili yenu. Tunamshukuru kwa furaha tuliyo nayo mbele yake kwa sababu yenu.
10night and day beseeching exceedingly to the end that we may see your face, and perfect what 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.
11But our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
11Tunamwomba Mungu, Baba yetu mwenyewe, na Bwana wetu Yesu atutayarishie njia ya kuja kwenu.
12But you, may the Lord make to exceed and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, even as we also towards you,
12Bwana awawezeshe ninyi kupendana na kuwapenda watu wote zaidi na zaidi, kama vile sisi tunavyowapenda ninyi.
13in order to the confirming of your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus 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.