2 Wakorintho 12
1 Yanipasa nijisifu, ingawa haifaidi kitu. Nitaenda kwenye maono na ufunuo kutoka kwa Bwana.
I am forced to boast, though it is unprofitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Namjua mtu mmoja katika Kristo ambaye miaka kumi na minne iliyopita alichukuliwa juu hadi mbingu ya tatu. Kama ni katika mwili au nje ya mwili, sijui, Mungu ajua.
I know a Christian man who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body I know not, or out of the body, I know not. God knows), was caught up- -this man of whom I speak - even into the third heaven.
3 Nami najua ya kwamba mtu huyu, kwamba ni katika mwili au nje ya mwili mimi sijui, lakini Mungu ajua,
And I know such a man (whether in the body or apart from the body I know not, God knows),
4 alinyakuliwa hadi Paradiso. Huko alisikia mambo yasiyoelezeka, mambo ambayo binadamu hana ruhusa ya kuyasimulia.
who was caught up into Paradise, and heard unutterable words which no human being is permitted to utter.
5 Nitajisifu kwa ajili ya mtu kama huyo, lakini sitajisifu kuhusu mimi mwenyewe ila mimi nitajisifia udhaifu wangu.
Of such a one I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast except in my weaknesses.
6 Hata kama ningependa kujisifu, sitakuwa mjinga, kwa maana nitakuwa nasema kweli. Lakini najizuia, ili mtu yeyote asije akaniona mimi kuwa bora zaidi kuliko ninavyoonekana katika yale ninayotenda na kusema.
If I should choose to continue boasting I should not be foolish, for I should be speaking the truth. But I refrain, lest by the stupendous grandeur of the revelation any one should estimate me beyond what he sees in me, or hears from me.
7 Ili kunizuia nisijivune kwa sababu ya ufunuo huu mkuu, nilipewa mwiba katika mwili wangu, mjumbe wa Shetani, ili anitese.
It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated.
8 Kwa habari ya jambo hili nilimsihi Bwana mara tatu aniondolee mwiba huu.
Concerning this, three times over I supplicated the Lord that it might leave me;
9 Lakini aliniambia, “Neema yangu inakutosha, kwa kuwa uweza wangu hukamilika katika udhaifu.” Kwa hiyo nitajisifu kwa furaha zaidi kuhusu udhaifu wangu, ili uweza wa Kristo ukae juu yangu.
but he has answered me. "My grace is sufficient for you; it is in weakness that my power is perfected."
10 Hii ndiyo sababu, kwa ajili ya Kristo, nafurahia udhaifu, katika kutukanwa, katika taabu, katika mateso na katika shida, kwa maana ninapokuwa dhaifu, ndipo nina nguvu.
Most gladly therefore will I boast rather of my weakness, that over me like a tent may be pitched the power of Christ. That is why I rejoice in weakness, in ill-treatment, in troubles, in persecutions and calamities for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 Nimekuwa mjinga, lakini ninyi mmenilazimisha niwe hivyo. Kwa kuwa ilinipasa kusifiwa na ninyi, kwa sababu mimi si dhalili kuliko wale “mitume walio bora,” ingawa mimi si kitu.
I am become a fool - you have forced me to; for you yourselves ought to have been my vindicators. In no respect am I inferior to these superapostolic apostles, even though I am nothing.
12 Mambo yanayomtambulisha mtume wa kweli, yaani, ishara, miujiza na maajabu, yalifanywa miongoni mwenu kwa saburi nyingi.
In truth the signs of the true apostle were wrought among you in all patience by signs and marvels and powers.
13 Je, ninyi ni kitu gani mlichopungukiwa kuliko makanisa mengine, ila tu kwamba mimi sikuwa mzigo kwenu? Nisameheni kwa kosa hili!
In what respect, then, were you inferior to the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Sasa niko tayari kuja kwenu kwa mara hii ya tatu, nami sitawalemea, kwa sababu sitahitaji chochote chenu, ila ninawahitaji ninyi, kwa kuwa hata hivyo watoto hawaweki akiba kwa ajili ya wazazi wao, bali wazazi huweka akiba kwa ajili ya watoto wao.
And now for the third time I am preparing to visit you. I will not be a burden to you, for I am not seeking yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 Hivyo nitafurahi kutumia kila kitu nilicho nacho kwa ajili yenu, hata mwili wangu pia. Hata ingawa inaonekana ninavyozidi kuwapenda, ndivyo upendo wenu kwangu unavyopungua.
For my part, I will most gladly spend, yea, and will myself be spent, for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I to be loved the less?
16 Iwe iwavyo, kwa vyovyote vile mimi sikuwalemea. Lakini kwa mimi kuwa mwerevu naliwapata.
But though it be granted that I was not a burden to you, yet, you say, this was my cunning with which I caught you by a trick.
17 Je, nilijipatia faida kwa kumtumia mtu yeyote niliyemtuma kwenu?
Did I make gain of you through any of those whom I sent to you?
18 Nilimshawishi Tito aje kwenu, nami nilimtuma pamoja na ndugu yetu. Je, Tito aliwatumia ninyi ili kujipatia faida? Je, hatuenendi kwa roho moja, na hatuchukui hatua zile zile?
I urged Titus to go, and with him I sent our brother. Did Titus make gain of you? And did I not walk in the same spirit as he did? Did I not take the very same steps?
19 Je, mmekuwa mkifikiri kwamba sisi tunajaribu kujitetea mbele yenu? Sisi tumekuwa tukinena mbele za Mungu kama wale walio katika Kristo. Na chochote tufanyacho, ndugu wapendwa, ni kwa ajili ya kuwatia nguvu.
Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding.
20 Kwa kuwa nina hofu ya kwamba nitakapokuja naweza kuwakuta nisivyotaka, nanyi mkanikuta msivyotaka. Nina hofu kwamba panaweza kuwa na ugomvi, wivu, ghadhabu, fitina, masingizio, masengenyo, majivuno na machafuko.
For I dread that perhaps, when I come, I may not find you to be such as I wish, and that I may be found by you such as you do not wish; I dread lest there should be quarrels, jealousy, tempers, party spirit, slandering, gossip, arrogance, tumults;
21 Nina hofu kwamba nitakapokuja tena kwenu, Mungu wangu atanidhili mbele yenu, nami nitasikitishwa na wengi waliotenda dhambi mbeleni, na wala hawajatubu kwa uchafu wao, uasherati, na ufisadi walioushiriki.
and lest when I come again my God may humble me before you, and lest I shall mourn for many those who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurity and immorality and wantonness which they have practised.
