1 Corinthians 4
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Hivi ndivyo mtu atuhesabu sisi, kama watumishi wa Kristo na mawakili wa siri za kweli za Mungu.
2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Katika hili, kinachotakiwa kwa uwakili ni kwamba wawe wa kutumainiwa.
3 I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
Lakini kwangu mimi ni kitu kidogo sana kuwa ninahukumiwa na ninyi au hukumu ya kibinadamu. Kwa kuwa sijihukumu hata mimi mwenyewe.
4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.
Sijihukumu mimi mwenyewe, hii haina maana kuwa mimi ni mwenye haki. Ni Bwana anihukumuye.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Kwa hiyo, msitamke hukumu juu ya lolote kabla ya wakati, kabla ya kuja kwa Bwana. Atayaleta nuruni mambo yaliyofichika gizani na kufunua makusudi ya mioyo. Ndipo kila mmoja atapokea sifa yake kutoka kwa Mungu.
6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
Sasa, kaka na dada zangu, mimi mwenyewe na Apolo nimetumia kanuni hizi kwa ajili yenu. Ili kwamba kutoka kwetu mnaweza kujifunza maana ya usemi, “Usiende zaidi ya kilivyoandikwa.” Hii ni kwamba hakuna mmoja wenu ajivunaye juu ya mwingine.
7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Maana ni nani aonaye tofauti kati yenu na mwingine? Ni nini ulicho nacho hukukipokea bure? Kama umekwisha kupokea bure, kwa nini mnajivuna kama hamkufanya hivyo?
8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
Tayari mnavyo vyote ambavyo mngetaka! Tayari mmekuwa na utajiri! Mmeanza kutawala-na kwamba mnamiliki zaidi yetu sisi! Kweli, nawatakia umililki mwema ili kwamba tumiliki pamoja nanyi.
9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
Kwa hiyo ninadhani Mungu ametuweka sisi mitume kama kutuonyesha wa mwisho katika mustari wa maandamano na kama watu waliohukumiwa kuuawa. Tumekuwa kama tamasha kwa ulimwengu, kwa malaika na kwa wanadamu.
10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
Sisi ni wajinga kwa ajili ya Kristo, lakini ninyi ni wenye hekima katika Kristo. Tu wanyonge, lakini ninyi mna nguvu. Mnaheshimiwa, lakina sisi tunadharauliwa.
11 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
Hata saa hii tuna njaa na kiu, hatuna nguo, tuna mapigo, na tena hatuna makazi.
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
Tunafanya kazi kwa bidii, kwa mikono yetu wenyewe. Tunapodharauliwa, twabariki. Wakati tunapoteswa, twavumilia.
13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
Tunapotukanwa, twarudisha kwa upole. Tumekuwa, na tu bado tunahesabiwa kuwa kama kukataliwa na dunia na takataka kwa mambo yote.
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Siandiki mambo haya kuwaaibisha ninyi, lakini kuwarudi ninyi kama watoto wangu niwapendao.
15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
Hata kama mna waalimu makumi elfu katika Kristo, hamna baba wengi. Kwa kuwa nimekuwa baba yenu katika Yesu Kristo kupitia injili.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
Hivyo ninawasihi mniige mimi.
17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
Hiyo ndiyo sababu nilimtuma kwenu Timotheo, mpendwa wangu na mtoto mwaminifu katika Bwana. Atawakumbusheni njia zangu katika Kristo, kama ninavyofundisha kila mahali na kila kanisa.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
Sasa baadhi yenu wanajisifu, wakitenda kana kwamba sitakuja kwenu.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
Lakini nitakuja kwenu kitambo, kama Bwana akipenda. Ndipo nitajua si maneno yao tu wanaojisifu, lakini nitaona nguvu zao.
20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Kwa kuwa ufalme wa Mungu hauwi katika maneno bali katika nguvu.
21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
Mnataka nini? Nije kwenu na fimbo au kwa upendo na katika roho ya upole?
