KuThithusi 1

1 UPawuli, inceku kaNkulunkulu, lomphostoli kaJesu Kristu, njengokokholo lwabakhethiweyo bakaNkulunkulu lolwazi lweqiniso olunjengokukhonza uNkulunkulu,

PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

2 ethembeni lempilo elaphakade, uNkulunkulu ongaqambi manga alithembisa zingakafiki izibanga zesikhathi, (aiōnios g166)

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (aiōnios g166)

3 kodwa wabonakalisa ngezikhathi ezifaneleyo ilizwi lakhe ngokutshumayela mina engakuphathiswayo njengokulaya kukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu,

But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

4 kuTitosi umntanami isibili njengokholo esiluhlanganyele sonke: Umusa, isihawu, ukuthula okuvela kuNkulunkulu uBaba, leNkosini uJesu Kristu uMsindisi wethu.

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

5 Ngenxa yalokhu ngakutshiya eKrete, ukuze ulungise lezozinto eziseleyo, njalo ubeke abadala kuwo wonke umuzi, njengoba mina ngakulaya;

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 uba kukhona ongasolekiyo, indoda elomfazi munye, elabantwana abakholwayo, abangasolwa ngokuganga, loba ngokungalaleli.

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 Ngoba kufanele umbonisi abe ngongasolekiyo, njengomphathindlu kaNkulunkulu; ongayisiso siqholo, ongathukutheli masinyane, ongesiso sidakwa, ongathandi ukulwa, ongafisi inzuzo embi,

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 kodwa ophatha kuhle izihambi, othanda okuhle, oziphathayo, oqondileyo, ongcwele, ozithintayo,

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 ebambelela elizwini elithembekileyo njengokwemfundiso, ukuze laye abe lamandla okukhuthaza ngemfundiso ephilileyo, lokwehlula labo abalenkani.

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

10 Ngoba kulabanengi labo abangalaleliyo, abakhuluma okuyize labakhohlisayo, ikakhulu labo abokusoka,

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11 imilomo yabo imele ukufakwa isayeke, abagenqula imizi yonke, befundisa izinto ezingafanelanga, ngenxa yenzuzo embi.

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

12 Omunye kubo, owabo umprofethi, wathi: AmaKrete ahlezi engabaqambimanga, izilo ezimbi, iziminzi ezivilaphayo.

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13 Lobubufakazi buqinisile. Ngalesosizatho balayisise ngobukhali, ukuze baphile ekholweni,

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14 bangalaleli inganekwane zamaJuda, lemithetho yabantu abafulathela iqiniso.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15 Kwabahlambulukileyo konke kuhlambulukile; kodwa kwabangcolileyo labangakholwayo kakulalutho oluhlanzekileyo; kodwa lengqondo lezazela zabo kungcolile.

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16 Bavuma ukuthi bayamazi uNkulunkulu, kodwa bemphika ngezenzo, besenyanyeka, labangalaleliyo, lakuwo wonke umsebenzi omuhle kabasizi lutho.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.