2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Kwa hiyo, kwa sababu tuna huduma hii, na kama ambavyo tumeipokea rehema, hatukati tamaa.
2 No, we have renounced the secrecy prompted by shame, refusing to adopt crafty ways, or to tamper with God’s message, and commending ourselves to everyone’s conscience, in the sight of God, by our exhibition of the truth.
Badala yake, tumekataa njia zote za aibu na zilizofichika. Hatuishi kwa hila, na hatulitumii vibaya neno la Mungu. Kwa kuwasilisha iliyo kweli, tunajionyesha wenyewe kwa dhamiri ya kila mtu mbele ya Mungu.
3 And, even if the good news that we bring is veiled, it is veiled only in the case of those who are on the path to ruin –
Lakini kama injili yetu imefichika, imefichika kwa wale tu wanaoangamia.
4 people whose minds have been blinded by the God of this age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the incarnation of God, should not shine for them. (aiōn g165)
Katika uchaguzi wao, mungu wa ulimwengu huu amewapofusha fahamu zao zisizoamini. Matokeo yake, hawawezi kuona nuru ya injili ya utukufu wa Kristo, ambaye ni mfano wa Mungu. (aiōn g165)
5 (For it is not ourselves that we proclaim, but Christ Jesus, as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.)
Kwa kuwa hatujitangazi wenyewe, bali Kristo Yesu kama Bwana, na sisi wenyewe kama watumishi wenu kwa ajili ya Yesu.
6 Indeed, the same God who said ‘Out of darkness light will shine,’ has shone in on our hearts, so that we should bring out into the light the knowledge of the glory of God, seen in the face of Christ.
Kwa kuwa Mungu ndiye ambaye aliyesema, “Mwanga utaangaza toka gizani.” Ameangaza katika mioyo yetu, kutoa mwanga wa maarifa ya utukufu wa Mungu katika uwepo wa Yesu Kristo.
7 This treasure we have in these earthen vessels, so that its all-prevailing power may be seen to come from God, and not to be our own.
Lakini tuna hazina hii katika vyombo vya udongo, ili kwamba ieleweke kuwa nguvu kuu sana ni ya Mungu na sio yetu.
8 Though hard pressed on every side, we are never hemmed in; though perplexed, never driven to despair;
Tunataabika katika kila hali, lakini hatusongwi. Twaona shaka lakini hatujawi na kukata tamaa.
9 though pursued, never abandoned; though struck down, never killed!
Tunateswa lakini hatujatelekezwa. Twatupwa chini lakini hatuangamizwi.
10 We always bear on our bodies the marks of the death that Jesus died, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our bodies.
Siku zote tunabeba katika mwili wetu kifo cha Yesu, ili kwamba uzima wa Yesu uonekane pia katika miili yetu.
11 Indeed, we who still live are continually being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life also of Jesus may be exhibited in our mortal nature.
Sisi tulio hai siku zote tumetolewa kufa kwa ajili ya Yesu, ili kwamba uhai wa Yesu uonekane katika miili yetu ya kibinadamu.
12 And so, while death is at work within us, life is at work within you.
Kwa sababu hii, kifo kinafanya kazi ndani yetu, bali uzima unafanya kazi ndani yenu.
13 But, in the same spirit of faith as that expressed in the words – ‘I believed, and therefore I spoke,’ we, also believe, and therefore speak.
Lakini tuna roho ileile ya imani kulingana na kile kilicho andikwa: “Niliamini, na hivyo nilinena.” Sisi pia tunaamini, na hivyo pia tunanena.
14 For we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with him, and will bring us, with you, into his presence.
Tunajua kuwa yule aliye mfufua Bwana Yesu pia atatufufua sisi pamoja naye. Tunajua kuwa atatuleta sisi pamoja nanyi katika uwepo wake.
15 For all this is for your sakes, so that the loving kindness of God, spreading from heart to heart, may cause yet more hearts to overflow with thanksgiving, to his glory.
Kila kitu ni kwa ajili yenu ili kwamba, kwa kadri neema inavyo enea kwa watu wengi, shukurani zizidi kuongezeka kwa utukufu wa Mungu.
16 Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Hivyo hatukati tamaa. Japokuwa kwa nje tunachakaa, kwa ndani tunafanywa upya siku hadi siku.
17 The light burden of our momentary trouble is preparing for us a weight of imperishable glory, beyond all measure. (aiōnios g166)
Kwa kipindi hiki kifupi, mateso haya mepesi yanatuandaa sisi kwa ajili ya umilele mzito wa utukufu uzidio vipimo vyote. (aiōnios g166)
18 We, all the while, gaze not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is imperishable. (aiōnios g166)
Kwa kuwa hatutazami kwa ajili ya vitu ambavyo vinaonekana, bali kwa ajili ya vitu visivyoonekana. Vitu tunavyoweza kuviona ni vya muda tu, bali vitu ambayo havionekani ni vya milele. (aiōnios g166)
