1 Wakorintho 8
1 Sasa kuhusu chakula kilichotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu, tunajua kwamba “sisi sote tuna ujuzi.” Lakini ujuzi hujivuna, bali upendo hujenga.
Now as concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 Mtu yeyote anayedhani kwamba anajua kitu, bado hajui kama impasavyo kujua.
And if any man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 Lakini mtu ampendaye Mungu, hujulikana naye Mungu.
But if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
4 Hivyo basi, kuhusu kula chakula kilichotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu: Tunajua kwamba “Sanamu si kitu chochote kabisa duniani,” na kwamba “Kuna Mungu mmoja tu.”
Therefore as concerning the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] no other God but one.
5 Kwa kuwa hata kama wapo hao wanaoitwa miungu, kama wakiwa mbinguni au duniani (kama ilivyo kweli wapo “miungu” wengi na “mabwana” wengi),
For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many)
6 kwetu sisi yuko Mungu mmoja, aliye Baba, ambaye vitu vyote vyatoka kwake na kwa ajili yake sisi twaishi; na kuna Bwana mmoja tu, Yesu Kristo, ambaye kwa yeye vitu vyote vimekuwepo na kwa yeye tunaishi.
Yet to us [there is but] one God, the Father, from whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
7 Lakini si wote wanaojua jambo hili. Baadhi ya watu bado wamezoea sanamu kuwa halisi hivi kwamba wanapokula chakula kama hicho wanadhani kimetolewa sadaka kwa sanamu na kwa kuwa dhamiri zao ni dhaifu, dhamiri yao inanajisika.
But [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat [it] as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8 Lakini chakula hakituleti karibu na Mungu, wala hatupotezi chochote tusipokula, wala hatuongezi chochote kama tukila.
But food commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 Lakini angalieni jinsi mnavyotumia uhuru wenu usije ukawa kikwazo kwao walio dhaifu.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours should become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.
10 Kwa maana kama mtu yeyote mwenye dhamiri dhaifu akiwaona ninyi wenye ujuzi huu mkila katika hekalu la sanamu, je, si atatiwa moyo kula chakula kilichotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu?
For if any man shall see thee, who hast knowledge, sit eating in the idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 Kwa njia hiyo, huyo ndugu mwenye dhamiri dhaifu, ambaye Kristo alikufa kwa ajili yake, ataangamia kwa sababu ya ujuzi wenu.
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 Mnapotenda dhambi dhidi ya ndugu zenu kwa njia hii na kujeruhi dhamiri zao zilizo dhaifu, mnamkosea Kristo.
But when ye thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Kwa hiyo, kama kile ninachokula kitamfanya ndugu yangu aanguke katika dhambi, sitakula nyama kamwe, nisije nikamfanya ndugu yangu aanguke. (aiōn g165)
Wherefore, if food maketh my brother to fall into sin, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to fall into sin. (aiōn g165)
