1 Timoti 3
1 Lilovi lenili ndi chakaka, mundu mweigana kuvya chilongosi mumsambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu, mwenuyo inogela lihengu labwina.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 Hinu ndi, chilongosi wa msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu iganikiwa kuvya mundu angalaumiwa, iganikiwa avyai na mdala mmonga ndu, avyai na luhala lwabwina, mweakujilongosa na mweitopeswa avyai mweigana vayehe na mweamanyili kuwula.
[Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
3 Akotoka kugala kangi akotoka kuvya na ngondo, avya mngolongondi mweigana uteke, akotoka kuvya mweigana mashonga.
He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
4 Iganikiwa kuvya mundu mweilongosa nyumba yaki bwina, na kuvawula vana vaki vavyai na utopesa woha.
He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
5 Muni ngati mundu nakuhotola kulongosa nyumba yaki bwina, ihotola wuli kuliyangalila msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu ndi vandu va Chapanga?
because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
6 Yiganikiwa angakangala musadika muni akotoka kumeka na kuhamuliwa ngati chehamuliwi Setani.
He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
7 Mewa iganikiwa kuvya mundu mwakitili gabwina pagati ya vandu vevavili kuvala ya msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu, muni akotoka kulungamiwa na kugwa mulikoka la Setani.
Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
8 Vatangatila msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu viganikiwa mewa kuvya vandu vevikita gabwina, vavyai vandu lujovo lumonga, vakotoka kunywa divayi neju amala vevigana mashonga neju.
[Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
9 Niganikiwa kukamulana neju na uchakaka weufiyiki wa sadika kwa mtima wewikumbuka kuhenga mambu gabwina.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Yiganikiwa valingiwa hoti, na ngati viloleka vihotola, ndi vakita lihengu lenilo.
[Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
11 Vadala vavi mewa viganikiwa kuvya vandu vana mwenendu wabwina, vakotoka kuvya vevijova vangi, vavyai vabwina na vevisadikika mu mambu goha.
Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
12 Mtangatila wa msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu iganikiwa kuvya na mdala mmonga ndu, na mweihotola kulongosa bwina vana vaki na nyumba yaki.
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 Muni vatangatila vevihenga lihengu lavi bwina, yati vakuvajova bwina, na vihotola kujova bwina changali kuyogopa ndava ya sadika yavi mukuwungana na Kilisitu Yesu.
Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 Nikuyandikila balua iyi ndava nivii papipi kubwela kwako.
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 Nambu nikakavila, ndi balua iyi yati yikuvamanyisa chatiganikiwa kuvya munyumba ya Chapanga, ndi msambi wa vandu vevakumsadika Kilisitu. Vandu avo ndi lipanda na mkingisa wa chakaka na ndi vandu va Chapanga mweavimumi.
in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
16 Kawaka wogoyi wowoha ndava ya ukulu wa mfiyu wa sadika. Awonikini muliumbu la umundu, amanyiswi na Mpungu kuvya mbwina, awonikini na mtumu wa kunani kwa Chapanga, akokwisi pagati ya vandu va pamulima, asadikiwi pamulima akatoliwa kunani muukulu.
It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
