1 Wathesalonike 3
1 Kwa hivyo tulipokuwa hatuwezi kuvumilia zaidi, tuliamua tubaki Athene peke yetu.
And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.
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,
I sent Timothy, my brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.
3 ili mtu yeyote asifadhaishwe na mateso haya. Mnajua vyema kwamba tumewekewa hayo mateso.
So that no one should be shaken by these troubles-for you know well that we are appointed to troubles.
4 Kwa kweli, tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi tuliwaambia mara kwa mara kwamba tutateswa na imekuwa hivyo kama mjuavyo.
For even when I was with you I used to tell you beforehand that I was to suffer affliction; and so it proved, as you know.
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.
So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been 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 now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.
7 Kwa hiyo, ndugu zetu, katika dhiki na mateso yetu yote tumefarijika kwa sababu ya imani yenu.
I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith.
8 Sasa kwa kuwa hakika tunaishi, kwa kuwa ninyi mmesimama imara katika Bwana.
For now I am really living, if 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?
For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God?
10 Usiku na mchana tunaomba kwa bidii ili tupate kuwaona tena na kujaza kile kilichopungua katika imani yenu.
Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in 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 Christ, direct my path to you.
12 Bwana na auongeze upendo wenu na kuuzidisha kati yenu na kwa wengine wote, kama vile tulivyo na upendo mwingi kwenu.
Meanwhile, may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as I do toward you.
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.
And so may he establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.
