1Basi, tukiwa wafanyakazi pamoja na Mungu, tunawasihi msikubali ile neema mliyopokea kutoka kwa Mungu ipotee bure.
1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2Mungu asema hivi: "Wakati wa kufaa nimekusikiliza, wakati wa wokovu nikakusaidia." Basi, sasa ndio wakati wa kufaa, sasa ndiyo siku ya wokovu!
2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3Kusudi tusiwe na lawama yoyote katika utumishi wetu, hatupendi kumwekea mtu yeyote kizuio chochote.
3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4Badala yake, tunajionyesha kuwa kweli watumishi wa Mungu kwa kila kitu: kwa uvumilivu mwingi wakati wa mateso, shida na taabu.
4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5Tumepigwa, tumetiwa gerezani na kuzomewa hadharani; tumefanya kazi tukachoka; tumekesha na kukaa bila kula.
5In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6Tunajionyesha kuwa watumishi wa Mungu kwa usafi wa moyo, elimu, uvumilivu na wema; kwa Roho Mtakatifu, kwa upendo usio na unafiki,
6By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7kwa ujumbe wa kweli na kwa nguvu ya Mungu. Uadilifu ndiyo silaha yetu upande wa kulia na upande wa kushoto.
7By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8Tuko tayari kupata heshima na kudharauliwa, kulaumiwa na kusifiwa. Twadhaniwa kuwa waongo, kumbe twasema kweli;
8By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9kama wasiojulikana, kumbe twajulikana kwa wote, kama waliokufa, lakini mwonavyo, sisi ni wazima kabisa.
9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10Ingawa tumeadhibiwa, hatukuuawa; ingawa tunayo huzuni, twafurahi daima; ingawa tu maskini hohehahe, lakini twatajirisha watu wengi; twaonekana kuwa watu tusio na chochote, kumbe tuna kila kitu.
10As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
11Ndugu Wakorintho, tumezungumza nanyi kwa unyofu; mioyo yetu iko wazi kabisa.
11O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12Kama mnaona kuna kizuizi chochote kile, kizuizi hicho kiko kwenu ninyi wenyewe, na si kwa upande wetu.
12Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
13Sasa nasema nanyi kama watoto wangu, wekeni mioyo yenu wazi kama nasi tulivyofanya.
13Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
14Msiambatane na watu wasioamini. Je, wema na uovu vyapatana kweli? Mwanga na giza vyawezaje kukaa pamoja?
14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15Kristo anawezaje kupatana na Shetani? Muumini ana uhusiano gani na asiyeamini?
15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16Hekalu la Mungu lina uhusiano gani na sanamu za uongo? Maana sisi ni hekalu la Mungu aliye hai. Kama Mungu mwenyewe alivyosema: "Nitafanya makao yangu kwao, na kuishi kati yao; Nitakuwa Mungu wao, nao watakuwa watu wangu."
16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17Kwa hiyo Bwana asema pia: "Ondokeni kati yao, mkajitenge nao, msiguse kitu najisi, nami nitawapokea.
17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18Mimi nitakuwa Baba yenu, nanyi mtakuwa watoto wangu, waume kwa wake, asema Bwana Mwenye Uwezo."
18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.