2 Corinthians 12
1 It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable. But I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Yanipasa nijisifu, ingawa haifaidi kitu. Nitaenda kwenye maono na ufunuo kutoka kwa Bwana.
2 I know a man in Meshikha, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know, or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a one was caught up into the third heaven.
Namjua mtu mmoja katika Kristo ambaye miaka kumi na minne iliyopita alichukuliwa juu hadi mbingu ya tatu. Kama ni katika mwili au nje ya mwili, sijui, Mungu ajua.
3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),
Nami najua ya kwamba mtu huyu, kwamba ni katika mwili au nje ya mwili mimi sijui, lakini Mungu ajua,
4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a human to utter.
alinyakuliwa hadi Paradiso. Huko alisikia mambo yasiyoelezeka, mambo ambayo binadamu hana ruhusa ya kuyasimulia.
5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
Nitajisifu kwa ajili ya mtu kama huyo, lakini sitajisifu kuhusu mimi mwenyewe ila mimi nitajisifia udhaifu wangu.
6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
Hata kama ningependa kujisifu, sitakuwa mjinga, kwa maana nitakuwa nasema kweli. Lakini najizuia, ili mtu yeyote asije akaniona mimi kuwa bora zaidi kuliko ninavyoonekana katika yale ninayotenda na kusema.
7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, therefore, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satana to pound away at me, to keep me from exalting myself.
Ili kunizuia nisijivune kwa sababu ya ufunuo huu mkuu, nilipewa mwiba katika mwili wangu, mjumbe wa Shetani, ili anitese.
8 Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
Kwa habari ya jambo hili nilimsihi Bwana mara tatu aniondolee mwiba huu.
9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Meshikha may rest on me.
Lakini aliniambia, “Neema yangu inakutosha, kwa kuwa uweza wangu hukamilika katika udhaifu.” Kwa hiyo nitajisifu kwa furaha zaidi kuhusu udhaifu wangu, ili uweza wa Kristo ukae juu yangu.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Meshikha's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
Hii ndiyo sababu, kwa ajili ya Kristo, nafurahia udhaifu, katika kutukanwa, katika taabu, katika mateso na katika shida, kwa maana ninapokuwa dhaifu, ndipo nina nguvu.
11 I have become foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
Nimekuwa mjinga, lakini ninyi mmenilazimisha niwe hivyo. Kwa kuwa ilinipasa kusifiwa na ninyi, kwa sababu mimi si dhalili kuliko wale “mitume walio bora,” ingawa mimi si kitu.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.
Mambo yanayomtambulisha mtume wa kweli, yaani, ishara, miujiza na maajabu, yalifanywa miongoni mwenu kwa saburi nyingi.
13 For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the congregations, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
Je, ninyi ni kitu gani mlichopungukiwa kuliko makanisa mengine, ila tu kwamba mimi sikuwa mzigo kwenu? Nisameheni kwa kosa hili!
14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Sasa niko tayari kuja kwenu kwa mara hii ya tatu, nami sitawalemea, kwa sababu sitahitaji chochote chenu, ila ninawahitaji ninyi, kwa kuwa hata hivyo watoto hawaweki akiba kwa ajili ya wazazi wao, bali wazazi huweka akiba kwa ajili ya watoto wao.
15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
Hivyo nitafurahi kutumia kila kitu nilicho nacho kwa ajili yenu, hata mwili wangu pia. Hata ingawa inaonekana ninavyozidi kuwapenda, ndivyo upendo wenu kwangu unavyopungua.
16 But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.
Iwe iwavyo, kwa vyovyote vile mimi sikuwalemea. Lakini kwa mimi kuwa mwerevu naliwapata.
17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you?
Je, nilijipatia faida kwa kumtumia mtu yeyote niliyemtuma kwenu?
18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we walk in the same spirit? Did not we walk in the same steps?
Nilimshawishi Tito aje kwenu, nami nilimtuma pamoja na ndugu yetu. Je, Tito aliwatumia ninyi ili kujipatia faida? Je, hatuenendi kwa roho moja, na hatuchukui hatua zile zile?
19 Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we speak in Meshikha; and all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
Je, mmekuwa mkifikiri kwamba sisi tunajaribu kujitetea mbele yenu? Sisi tumekuwa tukinena mbele za Mungu kama wale walio katika Kristo. Na chochote tufanyacho, ndugu wapendwa, ni kwa ajili ya kuwatia nguvu.
20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you do not desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
Kwa kuwa nina hofu ya kwamba nitakapokuja naweza kuwakuta nisivyotaka, nanyi mkanikuta msivyotaka. Nina hofu kwamba panaweza kuwa na ugomvi, wivu, ghadhabu, fitina, masingizio, masengenyo, majivuno na machafuko.
21 that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.
Nina hofu kwamba nitakapokuja tena kwenu, Mungu wangu atanidhili mbele yenu, nami nitasikitishwa na wengi waliotenda dhambi mbeleni, na wala hawajatubu kwa uchafu wao, uasherati, na ufisadi walioushiriki.
