KuThithusi 3

1 Khumbuza abantu ukuba bazehlisele ngaphansi kwababusi, labaphathi, lokuba balalele, lokuba balungele ukwenza loba kuyini okuhle,

Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work,

2 lokunganyeyi muntu, lokuba lokuthula kanye lozwelo, kanye lokubonakalisa ukuzithoba okuqotho ebantwini bonke.

to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men.

3 Ngesinye isikhathi lathi sake saba yiziwula, singalaleli, sikhohliswa njalo sithunjwe zinhlobo zonke zenkanuko kanye lenjabulo. Saphila phakathi kwenzondo lomhawu, sizondwa njalo sizondana.

For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another.

4 Kodwa kwathi umusa lothando lukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu sekubonakele,

But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared.

5 wasisindisa, hatshi ngenxa yezinto ezilungileyo esasizenzile kodwa ngenxa yesihawu sakhe. Wasisindisa ngokugeziswa kokuzalwa kutsha kanye lokuvuselelwa nguMoya oNgcwele

And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit,

6 amthela kakhulu phezu kwethu ngoJesu Khristu uMsindisi wethu

whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7 ukuze kuthi sesilungiswe ngumusa wakhe, sibe zindlalifa silethemba lokuphila okulaphakade. (aiōnios g166)

so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

8 Leli yilizwi eliqotho. Njalo ngithanda ukuba izinto lezi uzigcizelele ukuze kuthi labo abathembele kuNkulunkulu bananzelele ukuzinikela ekwenzeni okuhle. Izinto lezi zinhle kakhulu njalo zilosizo ebantwini bonke.

This is a faithful saying. And I want you to confirm these things, so that those who believe in God may take care to excel in good works. These things are good and useful to men.

9 Kodwa xwaya impikiswano yobuwula lezindaba zosendo kanye lemibango lengxabano mayelana lomthetho ngoba lokhu akulasizo njalo kuyize.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, as well as arguments against the law. For these are useless and empty.

10 Umuntu oxabanisayo mlaye kanye, uphinde umlaye okwesibili. Emva kwalokho mxwaye.

Avoid a man who is a heretic, after the first and second correction,

11 Ungaba leqiniso ukuthi umuntu onjalo uxhwalile njalo uyisoni; nguye ozilahlayo yena ngokwakhe.

knowing that one who is like this has been subverted, and that he offends; for he has been condemned by his own judgment.

12 Ngingaze ngithumele u-Athemasi kumbe uThikhikhasi kuwe, kumele uzame ngamandla akho wonke ukuza kimi eNikhopholisi ngoba sengizimisele ukuhlala khona ebusika.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, hurry to return to me at Nicopolis. For I have decided to winter there.

13 Yenza konke ongakwenza ukuba usize uZenasi igqwetha kanye lo-Apholo ohanjweni lwabo ubone ukuba balakho konke abakuswelayo.

Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollo ahead with care, and let nothing be lacking to them.

14 Abantu bakithi kumele bafunde ukuzinikela ekwenzeni okuhle ukuze bagcwalise izinswelo zansuku zonke njalo bangaphili impilo eyize.

But let our men also learn to excel in good works pertaining to the necessities of life, so that they may not be unfruitful.

15 Bonke abalami bayakubingelela. Bingelela labo abasithandayo ekukholweni. Umusa kawube lani lonke.

All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. May the grace of God be with you all. Amen.