1 KuThimothi 6

1 Bonke abangaphansi kwejogwe, izigqili, kabathi amakhosi abo afanele konke ukuhlonitshwa, ukuze ibizo likaNkulunkulu lemfundiso kungahlanjazwa;

All who are bound under slavery should consider their masters worthy of respect, so that God's name and Christian beliefs won't be defamed.

2 labalamakhosi akholwayo bangawadeleli, ngoba engabazalwane; kodwa kulalokhu kabawasebenzele, ngoba ekholwa njalo ethandeka, abahlanganyeli benzuzo. Fundisa njalo ukhuthaze lezizinto.

Slaves who have Christian masters should not disrespect them because they are brothers. Instead they should serve them even better, because those who are benefiting from their service are fellow-believers they should love. Teach these instructions, and encourage people to follow them.

3 Uba kukhona ofundisa okwehlukileyo, njalo engavumelani lamazwi aphilileyo, aweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu, lemfundiso evumelana lokukhonza uNkulunkulu,

Those that teach different beliefs, and don't listen to good counsel, particularly the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the true teachings of God,

4 uyazikhukhumeza, engazi lutho, kodwa ubulawa yinkani lemibuzo lokuphikisana ngamazwi, okuvela kukho umona, umbango, ukuthuka, imicabango emibi,

are arrogant and don't understand anything. They're obsessed with speculation and philosophical debates which only lead to jealousy, arguments, malicious gossip and evil suspicions—

5 ukuxabaxabana kwabantu abangqondo yabo yonakele, labalahlekelwe liqiniso, besithi ukukhonza uNkulunkulu kuyindlela yenzuzo. Zehlukanise labanjalo.

the constant arguing of people whose minds are totally corrupt and who have lost the truth, thinking that they can profit financially from religion…

6 Kodwa ukukhonza uNkulunkulu lokwenela kuyinzuzo enkulu;

But knowing and following God is so incredibly satisfying!

7 ngoba kasizanga lalutho emhlabeni; kusobala ukuthi kasiyikusuka lalutho;

For we didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out with us either.

8 kodwa uba silokudla lezembatho sizakweneliswa yikho.

But if we have food and clothes then that's enough for us.

9 Kodwa abafisa ukunotha bawela ekulingweni lemjibileni, lenkanukweni ezinengi zobuphukuphuku ezilimazayo, ezicwilisela abantu encithakalweni lekubhujisweni;

Those who are determined to become rich fall into the trap of temptation, following many foolish and damaging impulses.

10 ngoba uthando lwemali luyimpande yakho konke okubi; abanye beyifisa, baduhile ekholweni, bazigwaza ngenhlungu ezinengi.

For the desire to be rich leads to many kinds of evil results. Some of those who longed for this have turned away from the truth, and have hurt themselves, experiencing a lot of pain.

11 Kodwa wena, O muntu kaNkulunkulu, balekela lezizinto; njalo udingisise ukulunga, ukwesaba uNkulunkulu, ukholo, uthando, ukubekezela, ubumnene.

But you as a man of God should run away from such things. You should seek to do what is right, practice true religion, and trust in God. Aim to love, to be patient, and gentle.

12 Lwana ukulwa okuhle kokholo, ubambelele empilweni ephakade, owabizelwa kuyo, wavuma uvumo oluhle phambi kwabafakazi abanengi. (aiōnios g166)

Fight the good fight as you trust in God. Hold on tightly to the eternal life to which you were called. This is what you promised to do in front of many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

13 Ngiyakulaya phambi kukaNkulunkulu ophilisa konke, loKristu Jesu owafakaza uvumo oluhle phambi kukaPontiyusi Pilatu,

My charge to you before God the Life-giver, and before Christ Jesus who testified to the good news before Pontius Pilate,

14 ukuthi ugcine umthetho ungelasici, ungasoleki, kuze kube sekubonakaleni kweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu,

is to follow faithfully what you've been told so you will be above criticism until our Lord Jesus Christ appears.

15 ozakubonakalisa ngezakhe izikhathi obusisiweyo loSomandla oyedwa, iNkosi yamakhosi, loMbusi wababusi,

At the right time Jesus will be revealed—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

16 yena yedwa olokungafi, ohlala ekukhanyeni okungelakusondelelwa, akulamuntu ebantwini owambonayo, kumbe ongambona; okukuye udumo lamandla aphakade. Ameni. (aiōnios g166)

He is the only one who is immortal, and lives in unapproachable light. No one has seen him or can see him—honor and eternal power is his! Amen. (aiōnios g166)

17 Laya abanothileyo emhlabeni wakhathesi ukuthi bangazigqaji, bangathembeli ekungaqondini kwenotho, kodwa kuNkulunkulu ophilayo osipha ngokunotha zonke izinto ukuze sithokoze, (aiōn g165)

Warn those who are rich in the present world not to become proud. Tell them not to place their trust in wealth that is so insecure but in God who so freely gives us everything for our enjoyment. (aiōn g165)

18 benze okuhle, banothe emisebenzini emihle, balungele ukupha, ukwabelana ngesihle,

Tell them to do good, and to become rich in doing good things, ready to share what they have, and to be generous.

19 bazibekele isisekelo esihle sibekelwa okuzayo, ukuze babambe impilo elaphakade.

In this way they store up treasure that will provide a solid basis for the future, so that they can take hold of true life.

20 O Timothi, londoloza kuhle okubekwe kuwe, uxwaye ukukhuluma okuyize okungcolileyo lokuphikisana kwalokho okuthiwa lulwazi kungeyisilo,

Timothy, take care of what's been given to you. Don't pay any attention to pointless chatter and arguments based on so-called “knowledge.”

21 okuthe abanye ngokukuvuma baduha ekholweni. Umusa kawube lawe. Ameni.

Some who promote these ideas have wandered away from their trust in God. May grace be with you.