1 UPhetro 4
1 Ngakho, njengoba uKhristu wahlupheka emzimbeni wakhe, lani hlomani ngesimo esifanayo, ngoba lowo owahluphekayo emzimbeni wakhe usehlule isono.
Therefore, because Christ suffered physically, you also must think the way that he did [when he was willing to suffer], because those who suffer [because of belonging to Jesus] have stopped sinning [the way they used to sin].
2 Ngakho-ke, ukuphila kwakhe kwasemhlabeni okuseleyo kakuphileli izinkanuko ezimbi zabantu, kodwa intando kaNkulunkulu.
As a result, during their remaining time here on earth, they do not do the things that sinful people desire to do, but instead they do the things that God wants them to do.
3 Ngoba selichithe isikhathi esaneleyo ngaphambili lisenza lokho abahedeni abakhetha ukukwenza, impilo yobudlova, inkanuko, lokudakwa, ukuzitika, ukuzivusa amadlabuzane kanye lezithombe eziyisinengiso.
[I say that to you] because [SAR] you have already spent too much of your time [here on earth] doing what the people who do not know God like to do. In the past you committed all kinds of sexually immoral acts [DOU], you got drunk and then participated in (orgies/wild parties) and carousing/revelry, and you [worshipped] idols, which is very displeasing to God.
4 Bakubona kumangalisa ukuthi kalibhudlukeli kanye labo kusikhukhula sinye sencithakalo, njalo bayalithuka kakhulu.
[Because you used to do those things], [your friends] are surprised that you do not join them any more when they participate in that kind of wild behavior [that] ([is rushing to/will quickly]) [destroy them like] [MET] a flood. As a result, they say evil things about you.
5 Kodwa kuzamela baziphendulele kuye olungele ukwahlulela abaphilayo kanye labafileyo.
But [God] is ready to judge the people who are living [now] and the people who have died, and he is the one who will decide whether he approves of what each of them has done.
6 Ngoba lesi yiso isizatho esenza kwatshunyayelwa ivangeli lakulabo khathesi asebefile, ukuze bahlulelwe ngokwabantu ngokomzimba, kodwa baphile ngokukaNkulunkulu ngokomoya.
That is the reason why the message [about Christ] was preached {[people] preached the message [about Christ]} to believers who have now died. [That message was preached to them] in order that even though [sinful] people might judge them [and say that they are guilty], God’s Spirit would [enable them to] live [eternally].
7 Ukuphela kwezinto zonke sekusondele. Ngakho-ke, kumele liqedisise njalo lizithibe ukuze likhuleke.
It is almost the time when everything on this earth will come to an end. Therefore, keep thinking sensibly/reasonably and control what you think [DOU], so that you can pray [clearly].
8 Phezu kwakho konke, thandanani ngokupheleleyo, ngoba uthando lugqibela izono ezinengi.
Most important of all, love each other earnestly/wholeheartedly, because if we love others [PRS], we will just ignore many of the sinful things that [they do to us].
9 Yamukelanani emakhaya enu kungekho kukhonona.
Provide food and a place to sleep for those [who come to your community], [and do it] without complaining.
10 Lowo lalowo kumele asebenzise loba yisiphi isipho somoya asamukelayo ekusizeni abanye, njengenceku ezithembekileyo zomusa kaNkulunkulu ngesimo sawo olezimo ezehlukeneyo.
Believers should all use the spiritual gifts that God has given them to serve others. They should manage/use well the various gifts that God has kindly given them.
11 Nxa umuntu ekhuluma, kumele akhulume njengokhuluma amazwi kaNkulunkulu wona ngokwawo. Nxa umuntu ekhonza, kumele akhonze ngamandla awaphiwa nguNkulunkulu, ukuze kuthi ezintweni zonke uNkulunkulu adunyiswe ngoJesu Khristu. Udumo lamandla kakube kuye kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni. (aiōn g165)
Those who speak [to the congregation] should do that as though they are speaking the [very] words of God. Those who do kind things to others should do it with the strength that God gives them, in order that God may be honored by all this {that all this may honor God} as Jesus Christ [enables us to do it. I pray that we will] praise [God] (OR, [Jesus]) and allow him [to rule over us] forever. (May it be so!/Amen!) (aiōn g165)
12 Bangane bami abathandekayo, lingamangaliswa yibuhlungu besilingo elibuzwayo, kungathi kwenzakala into engaziwayo kini.
You whom I love, do not be surprised about the painful things that you are suffering [because you belong to Christ]. [Those] things are [testing you as metals are tested by people putting them] in a fire. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.
13 Kodwa thokozani ngokuthi liyahlanganyela ekuhluphekeni kukaKhristu, ukuze lithokoze kakhulu lapho inkazimulo yakhe isibonakaliswa.
Instead, rejoice that you are suffering the same kinds of things that Christ endured. Rejoice when [you suffer], in order that you may also be very glad [DOU] when Christ returns and reveals how glorious/wonderful he is.
14 Nxa lithukwa ngenxa yebizo likaKhristu, libusisiwe, ngoba uMoya wenkazimulo lokaNkulunkulu uhlezi phezu kwenu.
If you are insulted {If [people] insult you} because you believe in Christ [MTY], [God is] pleased with you, because it shows that the Spirit of God, the Spirit who [reveals how] great [God is], lives within you.
15 Nxa lihlupheka, akungabi njengombulali loba isela kumbe olunye uhlobo lwesigebenga loba lanjengongenelayo ezindabeni zabanikazi.
If you suffer, do not let that suffering be the result of your being a murderer or a thief or as a result of doing some other evil thing, or as a result of interfering in someone else’s affairs.
16 Kodwa-ke, nxa lihlupheka njengomKhristu, lingayangeki, kodwa dumisani uNkulunkulu ngebizo lakhe.
But if you suffer because of being a Christian, do not be ashamed about it. Instead, praise God that you are suffering because of belonging to Christ [MTY].
17 Ngoba kuyisikhathi sokuthi ukwahlulela kuqalise ngabendlu kaNkulunkulu; njalo nxa kuqalisa ngathi, isiphetho sizakuba yini kulabo abangalaleli ivangeli likaNkulunkulu na?
I say that, because it is now time for God to begin judging people, and first he will judge those who belong [MTY] to him. Since he will judge us believers first, think about the terrible things that will happen to [RHQ] those who do not obey the good message that comes from him!
18 Njalo, “Nxa kunzima ukuba abalungileyo basindiswe, pho kuzakuba njani kwabangakholwayo labayizoni na?”
[That will be as it] is written in the Scriptures, [Many] righteous people [will have to suffer] many [difficult trials before going to heaven]. So ungodly and sinful people will surely have to suffer [much severe punishment from God]!
19 Ngakho-ke, labo abahlupheka ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu kumele bazinikele kuMdali wabo othembekileyo njalo baqhubeke besenza okulungileyo.
Therefore, those who suffer because of its being God’s will that they suffer [because of being Christians] should commit themselves to God, the one who created them and the one who always does what he promises to do. And they should continue to do what is right.
