1 KwabaseThesalonika 5
1 Kodwa ngezikhathi langemizuzu, bazalwane, kalisweli ukuthi libhalelwe,
But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, friends, for anyone to write to you.
2 ngoba lina uqobo liyazi kuhle kakhulu ukuthi usuku lweNkosi luzafika ngokunjalo njengesela ebusuku;
You yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.
3 ngoba nxa besithi: Ukuthula lokuhlala kuhle, khona ukubhujiswa okujumayo kuzabehlela, njengomhelo kowesifazana okhulelweyo, njalo kabasoze baphunyuke.
When people are saying ‘All is quiet and safe,’ it is then that, like birth pains on a pregnant woman, ruin comes suddenly upon them, and there will be no escape!
4 Kodwa lina, bazalwane, kalikho emnyameni, ukuze lolosuku luliphuthume njengesela;
You, however, friends, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.
5 lina lonke lingabantwana bokukhanya labantwana bemini; kasisibo abobusuku loba abobumnyama;
For you all are children of light and children of the day. We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.
6 ngakho-ke asingalali njengabanye labo, kodwa asilinde siqonde.
Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.
7 Ngoba abalalayo balala ebusuku; labadakwayo badakwa ebusuku.
It is at night that people sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.
8 Kodwa thina esingabemini, asiqonde, sifake isivikelo sesifuba sokholo lothando, lethemba losindiso libe likhowa,
But let us, who belong to the day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9 ngoba uNkulunkulu kasimiselanga ulaka, kodwa ukuzuza usindiso ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu,
For God destined us, not for wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,
10 owasifelayo, ukuze loba siphapheme loba silele, siphile kanye laye.
that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.
11 Ngakho khuthazanani, lakhane, njengoba lani likwenza.
Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.
12 Kodwa siyalincenga, bazalwane, ukuthi libazi labo abasebenza nzima phakathi kwenu, labaliphathayo eNkosini, labalelulekayo,
We beg you, friends, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord’s service, and give you counsel.
13 njalo libahlonipha kakhulu okwedlula amalawulo ethandweni ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo. Hlalisanani ngokuthula.
Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.
14 Kodwa siyalikhuthaza, bazalwane, yelulekani abangelamthetho, liduduze abadanileyo, lisekele ababuthakathaka, libekezelele bonke.
We entreat you also, friends – warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15 Qaphelani ukuthi kungabi khona ophindisela omunye okubi ngokubi; kodwa dingisisani ngesikhathi sonke okuhle lomunye komunye lakibo bonke.
Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with everyone.
16 Thokozani njalonjalo;
Always be joyful;
17 khulekani lingaphezi;
never cease to pray;
18 bongani kukho konke; ngoba lokhu kuyintando kaNkulunkulu kuKristu Jesu ngani.
under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.
19 Lingamcitshi uMoya;
Do not quench the Spirit;
20 lingadeleli iziprofetho;
do not make light of preaching.
21 hlolisisani konke; libambelele kokuhle;
Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;
22 dedani kukho konke ukubonakala kobubi.
shun every form of evil.
23 Kungathi uNkulunkulu wokuthula uqobo angalenza libe ngcwele ngokupheleleyo; njalo kungathi umoya wenu wonke lomphefumulo lomzimba kungalondolozwa kungasoleki ekufikeni kweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu.
May God himself, the giver of peace, make you altogether holy; and may your spirits, souls, and bodies be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Uthembekile yena olibizayo; laye ozakwenza lokhu.
He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.
25 Bazalwane, sikhulekeleni.
Friends, pray for us.
26 Bingelelani abazalwane bonke ngokwanga okungcwele.
Greet all the Lord’s followers with a sacred kiss.
27 Ngiyalifungisa ngeNkosi, ukuthi lincwadi ifundwe kubo bonke abazalwane abangcwele.
I order you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 Umusa weNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu kawube lani. Ameni.
May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
