2 Kwabasekhorinte 13

1 Ngalesisikhathi sesithathu ngiza kini; ngomlomo wabafakazi ababili kumbe abathathu wonke umutsho uzaqiniswa.

This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

2 Sengitshilo ngaphambili njalo ngiyandulela ukutsho, njengalokhu ngikhona ngokwesibili, njalo ngingekho khathesi ngibhalela labo abona ngaphambili, lakwabanye bonke, ukuthi nxa ngingabuya futhi, kangisoze ngibayekele;

I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,

3 njengoba lidinga ubufakazi bukaKristu okhuluma kimi, ongebuthakathaka kini kodwa elamandla phakathi kwenu;

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

4 ngoba lanxa wabethelwa ngobuthakathaka, kanti uyaphila ngamandla kaNkulunkulu. Ngoba lathi sibuthakathaka kuye, kodwa sizaphila kanye laye ngamandla kaNkulunkulu kini.

For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

5 Zihloleni ukuthi lisekholweni; lizilinge. Kanti kalazi lina ukuthi uJesu Kristu ukini, ngaphandle kokuthi ngeqiniso lingabalahliweyo?

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?

6 Ngithemba-ke ukuthi lizakwazi ukuthi thina kasisibo abalahliweyo.

And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.

7 Njalo ngiyakhuleka kuNkulunkulu, ukuthi lingenzi lutho olubi, kungesikuthi sibonakale thina singabathembekileyo, kodwa ukuze lina lenze ukulunga, kodwa thina sibe njengabalahliweyo.

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.

8 Ngoba kasilamandla okwenza ulutho olumelana leqiniso, kodwa okweqiniso.

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

9 Ngoba siyajabula nxa sibuthakathaka thina, lani lilamandla; njalo lalokho siyakukhulekela, ukupheleliswa kwenu.

In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

10 Ngakho ngibhala lezizinto ngingekho, ukuze kuthi nxa ngikhona ngingasebenzisi ubukhali, njengamandla iNkosi eyanginika wona, ekwakheni, njalo angabi ngawokubhidliza.

This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

11 Elokucina, bazalwane, thokozani, lipheleliswe, liduduzwe, libe ngqondonye, lihlale ngokuthula; njalo uNkulunkulu wothando lowokuthula uzakuba lani.

Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Bingelelanani ngokwanga okungcwele.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 Bonke abangcwele bayalibingelela.

All the saints send you greetings.

14 Umusa weNkosi uJesu Kristu, lothando lukaNkulunkulu, lobudlelwano bukaMoya oNgcwele kakube lani lonke. Ameni.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.