KuThithusi 3

1 Bakhumbuze ukuthi bazehlisele ngaphansi kwababusi leziphathamandla, babalalele, balungele wonke umsebenzi omuhle,

Remind them to be submissive to their rulers and authorities; let them be obedient, ready for every good work;

2 bangahlebi muntu, bangabi yizilwi, babekezele, batshengise bonke ubumnene ebantwini bonke.

they must speak evil of none, they must not be quarrelsome, but gentle, showing perfect meekness toward all.

3 Ngoba lathi kade sasiyiziphukuphuku, singalaleli, sikhohliswa, sisebenzela inkanuko lentokozo ezinenginengi, siphila ebubini lemoneni, sizondeka, sizondana.

For we were ourselves once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaving for various lusts and pleasures, passing our lives in malice and envy. We were hateful, and we hated one another.

4 Kodwa lapho sekubonakele umusa lothando lukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu kubantu,

But when the kindness of God our Saviour, And his love toward men shined forth,

5 kungeyisikho okuvela ezenzweni zokulunga esazenzayo thina, kodwa njengokwesihawu sakhe wasisindisa, ngokugeziswa kokuzalwa kutsha lokuvuselelwa koMoya oNgcwele,

He saved us, not because of any deeds that we had done in righteousness, But because of his own pity for us. He saved us by that washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit

6 owamthulula ngokwengezelelweyo phezu kwethu, ngoJesu Kristu uMsindisi wethu,

which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 ukuze silungisiswe ngomusa wakhe, sibe yizindlalifa ngokwethemba lempilo elaphakade. (aiōnios g166)

In order that being justified by his grace, We might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

8 Lithembekile ilizwi, njalo ngithanda ukuthi uqinise isibili ngalezizinto, ukuze abakholwa kuNkulunkulu bakhuthalele ukuma emisebenzini emihle. Lezi yizinto ezinhle ezilosizo ebantwini;

This saying is trustworthy. On this I want you to firmly insist; that those who have faith in God must be careful to maintain honest occupations. Such counsels are good and profitable for men.

9 kodwa xwaya imibuzo yobuthutha lendaba zosendo olokuzalana lombango lokuphikisana ngomlayo; ngoba kazisizi futhi ziyize.

But avoid foolish questionings and genealogies and dissensions and wranglings about the law; for these are unprofitable and empty.

10 Umuntu obhazukayo emva kwesilayo sokuqala lesesibili, mdele,

After a first and second admonition, refuse a man who is causing divisions;

11 usazi ukuthi onjalo uphambukile, uyona, uyazilahla yena.

you may be sure that such a man is perverted and sinning, and is self-condemned.

12 Nxa ngizathuma uArtema kuwe loba uTikiko, khuthala uze kimi eNikapoli; ngoba ngizimisele ukuhlala khona ebusika.

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, join me in Nicopolis as quickly as you can, for I have arranged to winter there.

13 Khuthala uncedise uZena isazumthetho loApolosi ekuhambeni kwabo, ukuze kungabi lalutho oluswelakalayo kubo.

Speed Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey diligently.

14 Abakithi-ke labo kabafunde ukuma emisebenzini emihle yokudingekayo kusweleka, ukuze bangabi ngabangelazithelo.

Let them want nothing, and "let our people learn to devote themselves to honest work to supply the necessities of their teachers," so that they be not unfruitful.

15 Bonke abalami bayakubingelela. Bingelela abasithandayo ekholweni. Umusa kawube lani lonke. Ameni.

All who are with us salute you. Salute those who love me in faith. Grace be with you all.