1 Wathesalonike 3
1 Kwa hivyo tulipokuwa hatuwezi kuvumilia zaidi, tuliamua tubaki Athene peke yetu.
So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.
2 Tukamtuma Timotheo ambaye ni ndugu yetu na mtumishi mwenzetu wa Mungu katika kuieneza Injili ya Kristo, aje kuwaimarisha na kuwatia moyo katika imani yenu,
We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3 ili mtu yeyote asifadhaishwe na mateso haya. Mnajua vyema kwamba tumewekewa hayo mateso.
so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
4 Kwa kweli, tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi tuliwaambia mara kwa mara kwamba tutateswa na imekuwa hivyo kama mjuavyo.
Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
5 Kwa sababu hii nilipokuwa siwezi kuvumilia zaidi, nilimtuma mtu ili nipate habari za imani yenu. Niliogopa kwamba kwa njia fulani yule mjaribu asiwe amewajaribu, nasi tukawa tumejitaabisha bure.
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain.
6 Lakini sasa Timotheo ndiyo tu amerejea kwetu kutoka kwenu na ameleta habari njema kuhusu imani yenu na upendo wenu. Ametuambia kwamba siku zote mnatukumbuka kwa wema na kwamba mna shauku ya kutuona kama vile sisi tulivyo na shauku ya kuwaona ninyi.
But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.
7 Kwa hiyo, ndugu zetu, katika dhiki na mateso yetu yote tumefarijika kwa sababu ya imani yenu.
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.
8 Sasa kwa kuwa hakika tunaishi, kwa kuwa ninyi mmesimama imara katika Bwana.
For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 Je, tutawezaje kumshukuru Mungu kiasi cha kutosha kwa ajili yenu, kutokana na furaha tuliyo nayo mbele za Mungu wetu kwa sababu yenu?
How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?
10 Usiku na mchana tunaomba kwa bidii ili tupate kuwaona tena na kujaza kile kilichopungua katika imani yenu.
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.
11 Basi Mungu wetu na Baba yetu mwenyewe na Bwana wetu Yesu atengeneze njia ya sisi kuja kwenu.
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
12 Bwana na auongeze upendo wenu na kuuzidisha kati yenu na kwa wengine wote, kama vile tulivyo na upendo mwingi kwenu.
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
13 Tunamwomba Mungu aimarishe mioyo yenu ili msiwe na lawama katika utakatifu mbele za Mungu wetu aliye Baba yetu wakati wa kuja kwake Bwana Yesu pamoja na watakatifu wote.
so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
