Korintotɔwo 1 7

1 Nya siwo miebiam le agbalẽ si mieŋlɔ ɖo ɖem me la ƒe ŋuɖoɖoe nye be ne ŋutsu aɖe meɖe srɔ̃ o la, megblẽ naneke o,

Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.

2 gake le ahasiwɔwɔ ta la, enyo be ame naɖe srɔ̃, ŋutsu ɖe sia ɖe kple etɔ; nenema kee nye nyɔnu ɖe sia ɖe hã, ale be ame aɖeke nagawɔ nu vɔ̃ o.

But because many people are committing sexual immorality, [which God detests], every man should have his own wife [with whom he can have sexual relations], and every woman should have her own husband [with whom she can have sexual relations].

3 Ele na srɔ̃ŋutsu be wòakpɔ egbɔ be yemegblẽ ye srɔ̃ ɖi le go aɖeke me o, eye srɔ̃nyɔnu hã nawɔ nenema pɛpɛpɛ.

Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.

4 Ne nyɔnu ɖe srɔ̃ ko la, ekema megakpɔ ŋusẽ ɖe eƒe ŋutilã dzi o, ke boŋ srɔ̃a kpɔ ŋusẽ ɖe edzi, eye nenema ke srɔ̃nyɔnu hã kpɔ ŋusẽ ɖe srɔ̃ŋutsua ƒe ŋutilã dzi, ale ŋutsua mate ŋu awɔ nu si dze eya ŋutɔ ɖeɖe ko ŋu o.

A man’s wife does not have the right over her own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with her husband]. Instead, her husband also has a right [to decide about that]. Similarly, a woman’s husband does not have the right over his own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with his wife]. Instead, his wife also has a right [to decide about that].

5 Eya ta srɔ̃tɔwo nakpɔ egbɔ be yewomegblẽ yewo nɔewo ɖi o, negbe wo ame eve la wowɔ ɖoɖo tɔxɛ be yewoakpɔ ɣeyiɣi ado gbe ɖa. Emegbe la, mite kpe be Satana nagate mi akpɔ le ɖokuidzimaɖumaɖu ta o.

You may refuse [to have sexual relations with] each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you [to have sex with someone else] because you are unable to control your sexual desires.

6 Mele esia gblɔm abe mɔnana ene, ke menye abe sedede ene o.

I am telling you these things to say that [God] allows [you to get married, but he] does not say that you must [get married].

7 Anye nye didi be ŋutsuwo katã nanɔ abe nye ene, gake ŋutsu ɖe sia ɖe kple nunana si wòxɔ tso Mawu gbɔ; ame ɖeka xɔ nunana sia eye ame bubu xɔ nunana kemɛ.

I myself wish that all people would stay [unmarried/single], as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to [live without getting married], and he has enabled other people to [get married].

8 Eya ta magblɔ na trewo kple ahosiwo be woanɔ anyi srɔ̃maɖemaɖee abe nye ŋutɔ ene.

Now I want to say this to you unmarried people and to you whose spouses have died: It would be good for you to remain [unmarried] as I am.

9 Gake ne ame aɖe mate ŋu aɖu eɖokui dzi o la, ekema neɖe srɔ̃ elabena enyo be wòaɖe srɔ̃ wu be wòayɔ fũu kple fieŋufieŋu.

But if you cannot control your [sexual desires] [EUP], you should get married. It is better to be married [so that you can satisfy your sexual desires with your spouse] than to constantly have a strong desire [EUP] [for sexual relations].

10 Ke mele se sia dem na srɔ̃tɔwo (menye nyee le sea dem o, ke boŋ Aƒetɔ lae) be srɔ̃nyɔnu mekpɔ mɔ agbe srɔ̃ŋutsua o.

And now I will give a command for [believers who are] married. This is not a command from me alone; it also comes from the Lord Jesus. You married women must not (separate from/divorce) your husbands!

11 Ke ne egbee la, ele nɛ be wòanɔ tre alo wòatrɔ ayi aɖawɔ ɖeka kple srɔ̃ŋutsua. Nenema ke srɔ̃ŋutsu hã mekpɔ mɔ agbe srɔ̃nyɔnu la o.

But if any of you do that, you must remain unmarried, or else you should be reconciled with your husband [and live with him again]. Similarly, men must not (separate from/divorce) their wives.

12 Azɔ nye ŋutɔ medi be maɖo aɖaŋu aɖe na ame mamlɛawo. (Nyee le egblɔm, menye Aƒetɔ la ƒe sedede o). Eyae nye be ne kristotɔ aɖe nyɔnu si menye kristotɔ o, gake nyɔnu la lɔ̃ be yeanɔ egbɔ la, ŋutsua megaɖe asi le eŋu o.

Now I say this to the rest of you, [to those who became believers after they were married. This is what] I [am saying], not what the Lord [has commanded]. If someone has a wife who is not a believer, if she is willing to keep living with him, he must not divorce her.

13 Nenema ke ne nyɔnu kristotɔ aɖe srɔ̃ si menye kristotɔ o, gake srɔ̃ŋutsu la lɔ̃ be nyɔnu la nanɔ ye gbɔ la, nyɔnu la hã megagbee o.

Similarly, if a woman has a husband who is not a believer, if he is willing to keep living with her, she must not divorce him.

14 Elabena srɔ̃ŋutsu si mexɔ se o la ŋuti kɔ le srɔ̃nyɔnu la ta eye nenema ke srɔ̃nyɔnu si mexɔ se o la hã ŋuti kɔ le srɔ̃ŋutsua si xɔ se ta. Ne menye nenema o la, mia viwo anye nu makɔmakɔwo, gake esi wòle alea ta la, wo ŋuti kɔ.

[I say that] because God has set apart every woman’s unbelieving husband [for himself] because of his wife [being a believer], and God has set apart every man’s unbelieving wife [for himself] because of her husband [being a believer]. If that were not true, [God would consider] their children unacceptable. But, the fact is that [God does consider] them acceptable to him.

15 Ke ne srɔ̃tɔ si mexɔ se o la dzo la, neyi faa elabena se aɖeke mebla srɔ̃ŋutsu alo srɔ̃nyɔnu si xɔ se la le nya sia me o. Mawu yɔ mí be míanɔ anyi le ŋutifafa me.

However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let [him or her] do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.

16 Nyɔnu, aleke nèwɔ nya be yeate ŋu aɖe srɔ̃? Alo wò ŋutsu, aleke nèwɔ nya be yeate ŋu aɖe srɔ̃?

[You women believers should allow your unbelieving spouses to leave you if they want to], because there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your husband if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your husband if you stay together.) Similarly, you men [who are believers], there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your wives if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your wives if you stay together.)

17 Le esiawo katã wɔwɔ me la, ame sia ame nakpɔ egbɔ be yewɔ ɖe Mawu ƒe ɖoɖo dzi le srɔ̃ɖeɖe me loo alo le trenɔnɔ me, eye nu sia nu si Mawu na ame aɖe la, wòaxɔe kple dzi faa. Hamewo katã nawɔ ɖe sedede vevi siawo dzi.

However, each person should continue in the status that the Lord gave him, the status that he had when the Lord called him [to belong to him]. That is the rule that I tell people in all the congregations [where I speak].

18 Le kpɔɖeŋu me, ne wotso aʋa na ŋutsu aɖe le Yudatɔwo ƒe kɔnu nu hafi wòtrɔ zu kristotɔ la, amea megatsi dzi le eŋu kura o. Nenema ke, ne wometso aʋa na ame aɖe hã o la, eya hã megatsi dzi be ele be yeatso aʋa kokoko o.

If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not [try to pretend that he is not] circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.

19 Elabena kɔnu sia wɔwɔ mele vevie kura le kristotɔ ƒe agbenɔnɔ me o. Nu si le vevie nye be kristotɔ nakpɔ egbɔ be yele Mawu ƒe sewo dzi wɔm eye be Mawu nakpɔ ŋudzedze le ye ŋu ɣe sia ɣi.

[You should not try to change your status that way], because it means nothing [to God] whether someone is circumcised or not. What is important is that we obey what God has commanded.

20 Ame sia ame nanɔ nɔnɔme si me wònɔ hafi Mawu yɔe, ne enye aʋatsotsotɔ alo aʋamatsomatsotɔ.

[Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.

21 Ne ènye kluvi hafi zu kristotɔ la, mègana wòaɖe fu na wò o gake ne èkpɔ mɔnu be nàzu ablɔɖevi la, mègana wòato ŋuwò o.

If one of you was a slave when you [(sg)] became a Christian [RHQ], do not be concerned about it. However, if you get an opportunity to be free, do [what you need to do to become free].

22 Kluvi si trɔ zu xɔsetɔ la zu Aƒetɔ la ƒe ablɔɖevi, eye wòvo tso nu vɔ̃ ƒe asi sesẽ la te. Ke ne ènye ablɔɖevi hafi zu kristotɔ la, nyae be yezu Kristo ƒe kluvi azɔ.

[Do not worry about your previously being a slave], because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them [from Satan’s control]. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, [it is as though] [MET] they are Christ’s slaves [because they must do what he tells them to do] [MET].

23 Yesu Kristo ƒle mi, eye wòxe fe ɖe mia ta keŋkeŋ eya ta miezu etɔ eye le esia ta migawɔ mia ɖokuiwo abe kluviwo ene na amegbetɔwo kple xexe sia me nuwo o.

[Christ] paid a price to buy you [when he died for you]. So do not [act as if you are evil people’s] slaves [by doing the evil things that they tell you to do].

24 Eya ta nɔvi lɔlɔ̃tɔwo, ale si ame sia ame nɔ hafi zu kristotɔ ko la, nenɔ nenema le Mawu ƒe ŋkume.

My fellow believers, [I repeat that in general] each believer, being in fellowship with God, should continue in the status that he had before he became a Christian.

25 Azɔ maɖo miaƒe biabia evelia ŋu na mi. Miele biabiam be nu ka yewoawɔ kple ɖetugbi siwo meɖe srɔ̃ haɖe o la hã! Ɖe woaɖe mɔ na wo be woaɖe srɔ̃ faa hã? Le nyateƒe me la, nyemexɔ sedede tɔxɛ aɖeke tso Aƒetɔ la gbɔ le nya sia ŋu o. Ke Mawu ŋutɔ na susum be mawɔ eŋu dɔ, eya ta magblɔ nu si nye ŋutɔ mebu le nya sia ŋu la na mi.

Now [I will answer your question] about women who have never married. There is nothing that the Lord has commanded me [to write about them], but I am writing this to tell you what I think [is best], because the Lord [Jesus] has mercifully enabled me to [say] what is reliable.

26 Eyae nye be, le fukpekpe geɖe si le mí kristotɔwo dzi vam le egbeŋkekewo me ta la, anyo be ame sia ame nanɔ anyi abe ale si wòle fifia ene.

There are a lot of distressing events [happening] now (OR, that will soon happen), so I think that it is better for people to remain in the marital status that they now have.

27 Ne èɖe srɔ̃ la, mègagbee o. Ne mèɖe srɔ̃ haɖe o la, mègaɖee o.

If any of you [men] are married [RHQ], do not try to divorce your wife. If any of you are unmarried [RHQ], do not seek a wife.

28 Ke ne èɖe srɔ̃ la, mèwɔ nu vɔ̃ o, eye ne ɖetugbivi dzaa ɖe srɔ̃ la, mewɔ nu vɔ̃ o, gake ame siwo ɖe srɔ̃ la, woado go fuɖename geɖewo le agbe sia me. Nukpekeame siawo mee medi be maɖe mi tsoe.

But if [any of] you [men] get married, you have not committed a sin [by doing that]. Likewise, if an unmarried woman gets married, she has not committed a sin [by doing that]. However, those who get married will have many troubles, [so I am urging you to remain unmarried in order that] you may not experience [such troubles].

29 Nɔviwo, nu si gblɔm mele lae nye be: Ɣeyiɣi la le kpuie, eya ta tso azɔ dzi la, ame siwo si srɔ̃ le la nanɔ agbe abe srɔ̃ ɖe mele wo si o ene.

My fellow believers, this is what I mean: There is not much time left [before Christ returns]. So, from now on those men who are married should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not married.

30 Ame siwo le nu xam la, nanɔ abe ɖe womele nu xam o ene, dzidzɔkpɔlawo nanɔ abe ɖe womele dzidzɔ kpɔm o ene, eye ame siwo ƒle nuwo kɔ ɖi la nawɔ abe nuawo ɖe menye wo tɔ o ene.

Those who are sad should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not sad. Those who are rejoicing [should devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not joyful.

31 Nenema ke ame siwo wɔa xexe sia me nuwo ŋu dɔ nanɔ abe ɖe wometsɔ ɖeke le xexemenuwo me o ene. Elabena ale si xexe sia me le fifia la nu ava yi kpuie.

Those who are buying things should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they did not possess those things. Because this world as it exists now will soon be gone, those who are actively involved in the affairs of this life [should not devote all their time] to be involved in those things.

32 Migatsi dzi ɖe naneke ŋu o. Ne srɔ̃ mele ŋutsu aɖe si o la, ekema ekpɔa vovo ɖe Aƒetɔ la ƒe dɔ ŋu nyuie eye wòdina ɣe sia ɣi be yeƒe agbe nadze Aƒetɔ ŋu.

[Another reason why] I [encourage you to remain unmarried is that] I desire that none of you be anxious [about the everyday affairs of this life]. Unmarried men are [able to be primarily] concerned about serving the Lord Jesus and trying to please him.

33 Ke srɔ̃tɔ ya mate ŋu awɔ alea o elabena agbe sia me ƒe hloloetsotso xɔa eƒe ɣeyiɣi eye eƒe didi koe nye be yeadze ye srɔ̃ ŋu ɣe sia ɣi.

But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.

34 Ale eƒe dzi ƒe didiwo ma ɖe akpa gã eve me. Alea ke wònɔna na nyɔnu si ɖe srɔ̃ la kple ɖetugbi si le atsuƒe hã. Nyɔnu si ɖe srɔ̃ la léa be na xexe sia me nuwo kple ale si wòawɔ adze ŋutsu la ŋu. Ke nyɔnu si mele atsuƒe o la ƒe didi katã koe nye be yeawɔ dɔ na Aƒetɔ la le ŋutilã kple gbɔgbɔ me ɣe sia ɣi.

So their thinking is divided. Unmarried women are [able to be] concerned about serving the Lord. They want to set apart their minds and their bodies for serving the Lord. But married women are [often] concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about how to please their husbands.

35 Menye ɖe mele nya siawo gblɔm be maɖe dzi le mia ƒo le srɔ̃ɖeɖe ŋu o, ke boŋ be makpe ɖe mia ŋu. Medi be miadze agbagba awɔ nu sia nu si ana be miate ŋu asubɔ Mawu nyuie la eye miagaɖe mɔ na nu kukluiwo be woaxe mɔ na mi o.

I am telling you this for your own good. I am not saying it in order to restrict you. Instead, I am saying it in order that you may do what is proper and be able to serve the Lord without being distracted {things distracting you}.

36 Ne mia dometɔ aɖe kpɔe be trenɔnɔ menyo na ye o elabena yemetea ŋu ɖua ye ɖokui dzi nyuie o la, ekema ele be wòaɖe srɔ̃. Esia menye nu vɔ̃ o.

[Some of you men have asked about your unmarried daughters]. [I suggest that] if any man thinks that he may be treating his daughter unfairly [by keeping her from marrying], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he thinks that she ought to be married, he should do what he wants to do. He should let her get married. He will not be sinning [by doing that].

37 Gake ne ame aɖe ya tea ŋu ɖua eɖokui dzi nyuie, eye le esia ta wòɖoe le eƒe dzi me be yemaɖe srɔ̃ o la, ewɔe nyuie.

But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better that his daughter not get married], and if nothing is forcing [her to get married], and if he is free to do what he decides to do on the matter, if he decides that his daughter should not get married, he is doing what is right in [keeping her from marrying].

38 Eya ta nɔviwo, minyae be ne ame aɖe ɖe srɔ̃ la, mewɔ nu gbegblẽ o, eye ne ame bubu hã meɖe srɔ̃ o la, etɔ kura ganyo wu.

So any man who decides that his daughter should get married is doing what is good, but if he decides that she should not get married, he is doing something even better. (OR, [Some of you men have asked about the women to whom you are engaged to marry]. If any man thinks that he may be treating that woman unfairly [by not marrying her], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he wants to marry her very much, he should do what he wants to do. He should marry her. He will not be sinning [by doing that]. But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better] for him not to get married, and if nothing is forcing [them to get married], if he is free to make his own decision on the matter, if he decides not to get married, he is doing what is right. So any man who decides that he should get married to the woman he is engaged to is doing what is good, but if he decides that he should not get married, he is doing something even better.)

39 Srɔ̃nyɔnu kple srɔ̃ŋutsu le ɖeka zi ale si wole agbe. Ke ne ŋutsua ku la, ekema nyɔnu la kpɔ mɔ aɖe ŋutsu bubu le Aƒetɔ la ƒe ɖoɖo nu.

Women must remain married to their husbands while their husbands are still alive. But if a woman’s husband dies, she is free to marry any [unmarried] man whom she wants to marry, but he must belong to the Lord.

40 Ke le nye nukpɔkpɔ nu la, meka ɖe edzi be ne nyɔnu ahosi la megaɖe srɔ̃ bubu kura o la, anyo nɛ wu. Meka ɖe edzi be Mawu ƒe Gbɔgbɔe le aɖaŋu sia ɖom na mi to dzinye.

However, I think that she will be happier if she does not marry again. And I believe that the Spirit of God is [directing] me [as I say that].