1 Thessalonians 3
1 Therefore when we could not stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,
Kwa hivyo tulipokuwa hatuwezi kuvumilia zaidi, tuliamua tubaki Athene peke yetu.
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith,
Tukamtuma Timotheo ambaye ni ndugu yetu na mtumishi mwenzetu wa Mungu katika kuieneza Injili ya Kristo, aje kuwaimarisha na kuwatia moyo katika imani yenu,
3 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
ili mtu yeyote asifadhaishwe na mateso haya. Mnajua vyema kwamba tumewekewa hayo mateso.
4 For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.
Kwa kweli, tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi tuliwaambia mara kwa mara kwamba tutateswa na imekuwa hivyo kama mjuavyo.
5 For this cause I also, when I could not stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.
Kwa sababu hii nilipokuwa siwezi kuvumilia zaidi, nilimtuma mtu ili nipate habari za imani yenu. Niliogopa kwamba kwa njia fulani yule mjaribu asiwe amewajaribu, nasi tukawa tumejitaabisha bure.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you.
Lakini sasa Timotheo ndiyo tu amerejea kwetu kutoka kwenu na ameleta habari njema kuhusu imani yenu na upendo wenu. Ametuambia kwamba siku zote mnatukumbuka kwa wema na kwamba mna shauku ya kutuona kama vile sisi tulivyo na shauku ya kuwaona ninyi.
7 For this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.
Kwa hiyo, ndugu zetu, katika dhiki na mateso yetu yote tumefarijika kwa sababu ya imani yenu.
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
Sasa kwa kuwa hakika tunaishi, kwa kuwa ninyi mmesimama imara katika Bwana.
9 For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,
Je, tutawezaje kumshukuru Mungu kiasi cha kutosha kwa ajili yenu, kutokana na furaha tuliyo nayo mbele za Mungu wetu kwa sababu yenu?
10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Usiku na mchana tunaomba kwa bidii ili tupate kuwaona tena na kujaza kile kilichopungua katika imani yenu.
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
Basi Mungu wetu na Baba yetu mwenyewe na Bwana wetu Yesu atengeneze njia ya sisi kuja kwenu.
12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
Bwana na auongeze upendo wenu na kuuzidisha kati yenu na kwa wengine wote, kama vile tulivyo na upendo mwingi kwenu.
13 to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Tunamwomba Mungu aimarishe mioyo yenu ili msiwe na lawama katika utakatifu mbele za Mungu wetu aliye Baba yetu wakati wa kuja kwake Bwana Yesu pamoja na watakatifu wote.
