1Basi, tukiwa wafanyakazi pamoja na Mungu, tunawasihi msikubali ile neema mliyopokea kutoka kwa Mungu ipotee bure.
1And working together also we call upon [you] that ye receive not in vain the grace of God —
2Mungu asema hivi: "Wakati wa kufaa nimekusikiliza, wakati wa wokovu nikakusaidia." Basi, sasa ndio wakati wa kufaa, sasa ndiyo siku ya wokovu!
2for He saith, `In an acceptable time I did hear thee, and in a day of salvation I did help thee, lo, now [is] a well-accepted time; lo, now, a day of salvation,` —
3Kusudi tusiwe na lawama yoyote katika utumishi wetu, hatupendi kumwekea mtu yeyote kizuio chochote.
3in nothing giving any cause of offence, that the ministration may 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 everything recommending ourselves as God`s ministrants; in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,
5Tumepigwa, tumetiwa gerezani na kuzomewa hadharani; tumefanya kazi tukachoka; tumekesha na kukaa bila kula.
5in stripes, in imprisonments, in insurrections, 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,
6in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,
7kwa ujumbe wa kweli na kwa nguvu ya Mungu. Uadilifu ndiyo silaha yetu upande wa kulia na upande wa kushoto.
7in the word of truth, in the power of God, through the armour of the righteousness, on the right and on the left,
8Tuko tayari kupata heshima na kudharauliwa, kulaumiwa na kusifiwa. Twadhaniwa kuwa waongo, kumbe twasema kweli;
8through glory and dishonour, through evil report and good report, as leading astray, and true;
9kama wasiojulikana, kumbe twajulikana kwa wote, kama waliokufa, lakini mwonavyo, sisi ni wazima kabisa.
9as unknown, and recognized; as dying, and lo, we live; as chastened, and not put to death;
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, and always rejoicing; as poor, and making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
11Ndugu Wakorintho, tumezungumza nanyi kwa unyofu; mioyo yetu iko wazi kabisa.
11Our mouth hath been open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart hath been enlarged!
12Kama mnaona kuna kizuizi chochote kile, kizuizi hicho kiko kwenu ninyi wenyewe, na si kwa upande wetu.
12ye are not straitened in us, and ye are straitened in your [own] bowels,
13Sasa nasema nanyi kama watoto wangu, wekeni mioyo yenu wazi kama nasi tulivyofanya.
13and [as] a recompense of the same kind, (as to children I say [it],) be ye enlarged — also ye!
14Msiambatane na watu wasioamini. Je, wema na uovu vyapatana kweli? Mwanga na giza vyawezaje kukaa pamoja?
14Become not yoked with others — unbelievers, for what partaking [is there] to righteousness and lawlessness?
15Kristo anawezaje kupatana na Shetani? Muumini ana uhusiano gani na asiyeamini?
15and what fellowship to light with darkness? and what concord to Christ with Belial? or what part to a believer with an unbeliever?
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 to the sanctuary of God with idols? for ye are a sanctuary of the living God, according as God said — `I will dwell in them, and will walk among [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 ye forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and an unclean thing do not touch, and I — I will receive you,
18Mimi nitakuwa Baba yenu, nanyi mtakuwa watoto wangu, waume kwa wake, asema Bwana Mwenye Uwezo."
18and I will be to you for a Father, and ye — ye shall be to Me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.`