1 KuThimothi 3
1 Nansi isitsho esiqotho esithi: Lowo ofuna ukuba ngumthungameli ufisa umsebenzi olesithunzi.
This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.
2 Umthungameli akumelanga abengosolekayo njalo kumele abeyindoda elomfazi oyedwa, ezithibayo, elamandla okuzibamba, ehloniphekayo, ephatha kuhle izihambi, eyenelisa ukufundisa,
Therefore the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 engayisiso sidakwa, engeladlakela kodwa emnene, engathandi ingxabano, engathandi imali.
not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for sordid gain, but gentle, not contentious, and not a lover of money.
4 Kayibe ngephatha kuhle umuzi wayo njalo ibone ukuba abantwana bayo bayayilalela ngenhlonipho efaneleyo.
He must lead his own household well, keeping his children in submission with all dignity.
5 (Nxa umuntu engakwazi ukuphatha umuzi wakhe angaliphatha njani ibandla likaNkulunkulu na?)
(For if a man does not know how to lead his own household, how will he take care of God's church?)
6 Akumelanga kube ngosanda kuphenduka hlezi azikhukhumeze abe ngaphansi kokwahlulelwa kunye loSathane.
He must not be a new convert, or he might become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Njalo kumele abe ngodume ngokuhle kwabangaphandle ukuze angaweli ehlazweni lasemjibileni kaSathane.
He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into the reproach and snare of the devil.
8 Ngokunjalo, amadikoni lawo kumele kube ngabantu abahloniphekayo, abaqotho, abanganathi iwayini elinengi, abangadingi inzuzo ngobuqili.
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, and not greedy for sordid gain.
9 Kumele babambelele eqinisweni elizikileyo kanye lasekukholweni ngesazela esihlanzekileyo.
They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
10 Kumele baqale bahlolwe; nxa kungekho lutho olubi ngabo, kabasebenze njengamadikoni.
They must first be tested; if they are above reproach, let them serve as deacons.
11 Ngokunjalo, labomkabo kumele babe ngabesifazane abahloniphekayo, abangahlebiyo kodwa abazithibayo labathembekileyo ezintweni zonke.
Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded and faithful in all things.
12 Umdikoni kabe lomfazi oyedwa kuphela njalo ophatha kuhle abantwana bakhe kanye labendlu yakhe.
A deacon must be the husband of one wife and must lead his children and his own household well.
13 Labo abasebenze kuhle bazuza isithunzi lesithembiso esikhulu ekukholweni kwabo kuKhristu uJesu.
For those who have served well as deacons obtain a good standing for themselves along with great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
14 Lanxa ngikhangelele ukuza kuwe masinyane, ngikulobela iziqondiso lezi ukuze kuthi
I am writing these things to yoʋ, hoping to come to yoʋ soon.
15 nxa ngibambeka, ukwazi ukuthi abantu kumele baziphathe njani endlini kaNkulunkulu elibandla likaNkulunkulu ophilayo, insika lesisekelo seqiniso.
But if I delay, I am writing so that yoʋ may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Kungekho kuthandabuza imfihlakalo yokwesaba uNkulunkulu inkulu: Wabonakaliswa emzimbeni, wafakazelwa nguMoya, wabonwa yizingilosi, watshunyayelwa phakathi kwezizwe, umhlaba wakholwa kuye, wenyukiselwa phezulu ngenkazimulo.
Beyond all question, great is the mystery of godliness: God was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and taken up in glory.
