1 KuThimothi 2
1 Ngakho kuqala kukho konke ngikhuthaza ukuthi ukunxusa, imikhuleko, ukulabhela, ukubonga kwenzelwe abantu bonke;
The first (OR, most important) thing that I urge [you to tell your congregation] is that [Christians] should continually ask [God] for [what they need]. They should also pray to God [for all other people], and they should be thanking [God].
2 amakhosi, labo bonke abayiziphathamandla, ukuze sichithe impilo elokuthula lepholileyo kukho konke ukukhonza uNkulunkulu lenhlonipho;
Specifically, they should pray for rulers and for all [other people] who (are in important government positions/have authority), in order that [God will help them to rule]. [As God enables the rulers to rule well], we can live very peaceably as we conduct ours lives doing all that God and others consider to be right and proper.
3 ngoba lokhu kuhle kuyemukeleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu,
It is good [to pray like that, and] it pleases God, who saves us, when we pray like that.
4 ofuna ukuthi bonke abantu basindiswe njalo beze elwazini lweqiniso.
He desires to save everyone. He wants everyone to fully know [and accept] his true [message].
5 Ngoba munye uNkulunkulu, njalo munye umlamuli phakathi kukaNkulunkulu labantu, umuntu uKristu Jesu,
He is the [only] one [true] God! And there is [only] one person who talks to God on behalf of people. That person is Christ Jesus, who [himself] is a man!
6 owazinikela yena ukuba lihlawulo labo bonke, ubufakazi ngezikhathi ezifaneleyo,
He gave (his [life/himself]) [as a sacrifice] in order to ransom/redeem all [people], which showed at the proper time [that God desires that all people be saved] {[to save all people]}.
7 mina engamiselwa khona ukuba ngumtshumayeli lomphostoli (ngikhuluma iqiniso kuKristu, kangiqambi manga) umfundisi wabezizwe ekholweni leqinisweni.
As for me, he appointed me to declare [this message] and to be an apostle. I am telling the truth [about God appointing me]. I am not lying! He appointed me to teach the non-Jews that they should believe God’s true message.
8 Ngakho ngifisa ukuthi amadoda akhuleke kuyo yonke indawo, ephakamisa izandla ezingcwele, engelalaka lokuxabana.
I desire that in every place [where believers worship], the men who pray publicly [MTY] should be men who are not practicing sin. When they pray, they should not be angry [with anyone] and they should not doubt [that God will answer] their prayers (OR, should not quarrel with anyone).
9 Ngokunjalo labesifazana bazicecise ngezigqoko ezifaneleyo, lenhlonipho lokuqonda, kungabi ngenwele ezelukiweyo, kumbe igolide, kumbe amapharele, kumbe izembatho ezidulayo,
[I would like that] the clothing that women wear be (modest and sensible/proper and appropriate) [DOU]. I want them to not fix their hair in fancy/elaborate ways, nor wear gold [jewelry], nor pearls, nor expensive clothing [in order that they may make themselves attractive].
10 kodwa, okufanele abesifazana abathi bakhonza uNkulunkulu, ngemisebenzi emihle.
Instead, they should be doing things that women who (claim to/say that they) worship God should do; that is, they should be doing good deeds.
11 Owesifazana kafunde ngokuthula ekuzithobeni konke.
Women must learn to [listen] quietly [during the worship services] and to fully subject themselves [to the leaders of the congregation].
12 Kodwa kangivumeli owesifazana ukuthi afundise, kumbe abe lamandla phezu kowesilisa, kodwa abe ekuthuleni.
I do not permit women to teach [men spiritual truth publicly], and I do not permit them to have authority over men. Instead, [I desire] that women [listen] quietly [during the worship services].
13 Ngoba uAdamu wabunjwa kuqala, emva kwalokho uEva;
Keep in mind that God made Adam first, and afterwards he made Eve,
14 futhi uAdamu kakhohliswanga, kodwa owesifazana esekhohlisiwe waba sesiphambekweni,
and that it was not Adam whom [Satan] deceived. As a result of the woman being deceived, she sinned. She did what God had told her not to do.
15 kodwa uzasindiswa ngokuzala abantwana, uba behlala ekholweni lethandweni lebungcweleni kanye lokuqonda.
But even though she did that, now women will be saved {God will accept women} as they bear children if they continue to trust [God] and if they continue to love others, and if they continue to live in a way that is [more and more] (acceptable to God/like God wants them to), and if they continue to be modest.
