1 KuThimothi 6

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

Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.

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

Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

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

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,

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

he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,

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

constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.

6 Kodwa ukukhonza uNkulunkulu lokwenela kuyinzuzo enkulu;

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 ngoba kasizanga lalutho emhlabeni; kusobala ukuthi kasiyikusuka lalutho;

For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.

8 kodwa uba silokudla lezembatho sizakweneliswa yikho.

But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.

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

But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

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

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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

But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

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

Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. (aiōnios g166)

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

I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,

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

that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, 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 alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honour and eternal power. Amen. (aiōnios g166)

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

Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; (aiōn g165)

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

that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;

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

laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

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

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,

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

which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.