1Basi, tukiwa wafanyakazi pamoja na Mungu, tunawasihi msikubali ile neema mliyopokea kutoka kwa Mungu ipotee bure.
1And working together [with him] we entreat 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, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation):
3Kusudi tusiwe na lawama yoyote katika utumishi wetu, hatupendi kumwekea mtu yeyote kizuio chochote.
3giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration 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 commending ourselves, as 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 labors, 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; by the armor 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 glory and dishonor, 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 always 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.
11Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, 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 affections.
13Sasa nasema nanyi kama watoto wangu, wekeni mioyo yenu wazi kama nasi tulivyofanya.
13Now for a recompense in like kind (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 not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or 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 portion hath 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 hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God 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 ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no 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 to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.