1 Timothy 3
1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
Hili ni neno la kuaminiwa, kwamba mtu akitamani kazi ya uangalizi, atamani kazi nzuri.
2 [Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
Basi, imempasa mwangalizi awe mtu asiye na lawama, mume wa mke mmoja, mwenye kiasi, anayejitawala, anayeheshimika, mkarimu, ajuaye kufundisha,
3 He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
asiwe mlevi, wala mkali bali awe mpole, asiwe mgomvi wala mpenda fedha.
4 He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
Lazima aweze kuisimamia nyumba yake mwenyewe vizuri na kuhakikisha kwamba watoto wake wanamtii na kuwa na heshima kwa kila njia.
5 because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
(Kwa maana kama mtu hajui jinsi ya kusimamia nyumba yake mwenyewe, atawezaje kuliangalia kanisa la Mungu?)
6 He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
Asiwe mtu aliyeokoka karibuni asije akajivuna na kuangukia kwenye hukumu ile ile ya ibilisi.
7 Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
Inampasa pia awe na sifa njema kwa watu walio nje, ili asije akalaumiwa na kuanguka kwenye mtego wa ibilisi.
8 [Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
Vivyo hivyo, mashemasi nao wawe watu wanaostahili heshima, wasiwe wenye kauli mbili au wenye kujifurahisha kwa mvinyo, wala wanaotamani faida isiyo halali.
9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
Inawapasa kushikamana sana na ile siri ya imani kwa dhamiri safi.
10 [Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
Ni lazima wapimwe kwanza; kisha kama hakuna neno dhidi yao, basi na waruhusiwe kuhudumu kama mashemasi.
11 Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
Vivyo hivyo, wake zao wawe wanawake wanaostahili heshima, wasio wasingiziaji, bali wawe na kiasi na waaminifu katika kila jambo.
12 Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
Shemasi awe mume wa mke mmoja na inampasa aweze kusimamia watoto wake na watu wa nyumbani mwake vyema.
13 Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
Wale ambao wamehudumu vyema katika huduma ya ushemasi hujipatia msimamo bora na ujasiri mkubwa katika imani yao ndani ya Kristo Yesu.
14 Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
Ingawa ninatarajia kuja kwako hivi karibuni, ninakuandikia maagizo haya sasa ili kwamba,
15 in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
kama nikikawia, utajua jinsi iwapasavyo watu kuenenda katika nyumba ya Mungu, ambayo ndiyo kanisa la Mungu aliye hai, lililo nguzo na msingi wa kweli.
16 It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
Bila shaka yoyote, siri ya utauwa ni kubwa: Alidhihirishwa katika mwili wa kibinadamu, akathibitishwa kuwa na haki katika Roho, akaonekana na malaika, akahubiriwa miongoni mwa mataifa, akaaminiwa ulimwenguni, akachukuliwa juu katika utukufu.
