1Kwa hiyo, ndugu zangu, maadam Mungu ni mwenye huruma nyingi, nawasihi kwa moyo wote: jitoleeni nafsi zenu kwa Mungu kama tambiko iliyo hai, takatifu na yenye kupendeza. Hii ndiyo njia yenu halisi ya kumwabudu.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service.
2Msiige mitindo ya ulimwengu huu, bali Mungu afanye mabadiliko ndani yenu kwa kuzigeuza fikira zenu. Hapo ndipo mtakapoweza kuyajua mapenzi ya Mungu, kutambua jambo lililo jema, linalompendeza na kamilifu.
2And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3Kutokana na neema aliyonijalia Mungu, nawaambieni ninyi nyote: msijione kuwa ni kitu zaidi kuliko mnavyopaswa kuwa. Fikira zenu na ziwe na kiasi kufuatana na kipimo cha imani Mungu aliyomgawia kila mmoja.
3For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.
4Mwili una viungo vingi, kila kimoja na kazi yake.
4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:
5Hali kadhalika ingawa sisi ni wengi, tu mwili mmoja kwa kuungana na Kristo, na kila mmoja ni kiungo cha mwenzake.
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.
6Basi, tunavyo vipaji mbalimbali kufuatana na neema tuliyopewa. Mwenye kipaji cha unabii na akitumie kadiri ya imani yake.
6And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of our faith;
7Mwenye kipaji cha utumishi na atumikie. mwenye kipaji cha kufundisha na afundishe.
7or ministry, [let us give ourselves] to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;
8Mwenye kipaji cha kuwafariji wengine na afanye hivyo. Mwenye kumgawia mwenzake alicho nacho na afanye hivyo kwa ukarimu. Msimamizi na asimamie kwa bidii; naye mwenye kutenda jambo la huruma na afanye hivyo kwa furaha.
8or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, [let him do it] with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9Mapendo yenu na yawe bila unafiki wowote. Chukieni jambo lolote ovu, zingatieni jema.
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10Pendaneni kidugu; kila mmoja amfikirie mwenzake kwanza kwa heshima.
10In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
11Msilegee katika bidii, muwe wachangamfu rohoni katika kumtumikia Bwana.
11in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12Tumaini lenu liwaweke daima wenye furaha; muwe na saburi katika shida na kusali daima.
12rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
13Wasaidieni watu wa Mungu katika mahitaji yao; wapokeeni wageni kwa ukarimu.
13communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
14Watakieni baraka wote wanaowadhulumu ninyi; naam, watakieni baraka na wala msiwalaani.
14Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.
15Furahini pamoja na wanaofurahi, lieni pamoja na wanaolia.
15Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.
16Muwe na wema uleule kwa kila mtu. Msijitakie makuu, bali jishugulisheni na watu wadogo. Msijione kuwa wenye hekima sana.
16Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17Msilipe ovu kwa ovu. Zingatieni mambo mema mbele ya wote.
17Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.
18Kadiri inavyowezekana kwa upande wenu, muwe na amani na watu wote.
18If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
19Wapenzi wangu, msilipize kisasi, bali mwachieni Mungu jambo hilo; maana Maandiko Matakatifu yasema: "Kulipiza kisasi ni shauri langu; mimi nitalipiza asema Bwana."
19Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
20Tena, Maandiko yasema: "Adui yako akiwa na njaa, mpe chakula; akiwa na kiu, mpe kinywaji. Maana kwa kufanya hivyo utamfanya apate aibu kali kama makaa ya moto juu ya kichwa chake."
20But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
21Usikubali kushindwa na ubaya, bali ushinde ubaya kwa wema.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.