1 Wathesalonike 2
1 Ndugu zangu, kwa kuwa ninyi wenyewe mnajua ya kwamba kuja kwetu kwenu hakukuwa bure,
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain:
2 kama vile mjuavyo, tulikuwa tumeteswa na kutukanwa huko Filipi, lakini hata hivyo, kwa msaada wa Mungu wetu, tulikuwa na ujasiri wa kuwaambia Injili ya Mungu ingawa kulikuwa na upinzani mkubwa.
But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Phillippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 Kwa maana himizo letu halikutokana na hila wala nia mbaya au udanganyifu.
For our exhortation [was] not from deceit, nor from impurity, nor in guile;
4 Kinyume chake, tulinena kama watu tuliokubaliwa na Mungu tukakabidhiwa Injili. Sisi hatujaribu kuwapendeza wanadamu bali kumpendeza Mungu, yeye ayachunguzaye mawazo ya ndani sana ya mioyo yetu.
But as we were allowed by God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts.
5 Kama mjuavyo, hatukuja kwenu kwa maneno ya kujipendekeza au maneno yasiyo ya kweli ili kuficha tamaa mbaya: Mungu ndiye shahidi yetu.
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:
6 Wala hatukuwa tunatafuta sifa kutoka kwa wanadamu, wala kutoka kwenu au kwa mtu mwingine awaye yote. Kama mitume wa Kristo tungaliweza kuwa mzigo kwenu,
Nor from men sought we glory, neither from you, nor [yet] from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 lakini tulikuwa wapole katikati yenu, kama mama anayewatunza watoto wake wadogo.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 Tuliwapenda sana kiasi kwamba tulifurahia kushirikiana nanyi, si Injili ya Mungu tu, bali hata maisha yetu, kwa sababu mlikuwa wa thamani mno kwetu.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us.
9 Ndugu zetu, mnakumbuka juhudi yetu na taabu yetu. Tulifanya kazi usiku na mchana, ili tusimlemee mtu yeyote wa kwenu wakati tulipokuwa tunawahubiria Injili ya Mungu.
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 Ninyi wenyewe ni mashahidi na Mungu pia, jinsi tulivyokuwa watakatifu, wenye haki na wasio na lawama miongoni mwenu ninyi mlioamini.
Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 Maana mnajua kwamba tuliwatendea kila mmoja wenu kama vile baba awatendeavyo watoto wake.
As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,
12 Tuliwatia moyo, tuliwafariji na kuwahimiza kuishi maisha yampendezayo Mungu, anayewaita katika Ufalme na utukufu wake.
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory.
13 Nasi pia tunamshukuru Mungu bila kukoma kwa sababu mlipolipokea neno la Mungu mlilosikia kutoka kwetu, hamkulipokea kama neno la wanadamu, bali mlilipokea kama lilivyo hasa, neno la Mungu, litendalo kazi ndani yenu ninyi mnaoamini.
For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 Kwa maana ninyi ndugu zetu, mlifanyika wafuasi wa makanisa ya Mungu yaliyoko ndani ya Kristo Yesu katika Uyahudi. Mlipata mateso yale yale kutoka kwa watu wenu wenyewe kama vile makanisa hayo yalivyoteswa na Wayahudi,
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things from your own countrymen, even as they [have] from the Jews:
15 wale waliomuua Bwana Yesu na manabii, nasi wakatufukuza pia. Watu hao walimchukiza Mungu na tena ni adui wa watu wote,
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 wakijitahidi kutuzuia tusizungumze na watu wa Mataifa ili kwamba wapate kuokolewa. Kwa njia hii wanazidi kujilundikia dhambi zao hadi kikomo. Lakini hatimaye ghadhabu ya Mungu imewafikia.
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 Lakini ndugu zetu, tulipotenganishwa nanyi kwa kitambo kidogo (ingawa kutengana huko kulikuwa kwa mwili tu, si kwa moyo), tulizidi kuwa na shauku kubwa kuwaona uso kwa uso.
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Maana tulitaka kuja kwenu, hasa mimi Paulo, nilitaka kuja tena na tena, lakini Shetani akatuzuia.
Wherefore we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19 Kwa maana tumaini letu ni nini, au furaha yetu au taji yetu ya kujisifia mbele za Bwana Yesu Kristo wakati wa kuja kwake? Je, si ni ninyi?
For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 Naam, ninyi ndio fahari yetu na furaha yetu.
For ye are our glory and joy.
