Warumi 13
1 Kila mtu na atii mamlaka inayotawala, kwa maana hakuna mamlaka isiyotoka kwa Mungu, nazo mamlaka zilizopo zimewekwa na Mungu.
Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.
2 Kwa hiyo yeye anayeasi dhidi ya mamlaka inayotawala anaasi dhidi ya kile kilichowekwa na Mungu, nao wale wafanyao hivyo watajiletea hukumu juu yao wenyewe.
Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.
3 Kwa kuwa watawala hawawatishi watu wale wanaotenda mema bali wale wanaotenda mabaya. Je, wataka usimwogope mwenye mamlaka? Basi tenda lile lililo jema naye atakusifu.
For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.
4 Kwa maana mwenye mamlaka ni mtumishi wa Mungu kwa ajili ya mema. Lakini kama ukitenda mabaya, basi ogopa, kwa kuwa hauinui upanga bila sababu. Yeye ni mtumishi wa Mungu, mjumbe wa Mungu wa kutekeleza adhabu juu ya watenda mabaya.
For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.
5 Kwa hiyo ni lazima kutii wenye mamlaka, si kwa sababu ya kuogopa adhabu iwezayo kutolewa, bali pia kwa ajili ya dhamiri.
Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6 Kwa sababu hii mnalipa kodi, kwa maana watawala ni watumishi wa Mungu, ambao hutumia muda wao wote kutawala.
For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.
7 Mlipeni kila mtu kile mnachodaiwa. Kama mnadaiwa kodi lipeni kodi, kama ni ushuru, lipeni ushuru, astahiliye hofu, mhofu, astahiliye heshima, mheshimu.
Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.
8 Msidaiwe kitu na mtu yeyote, isipokuwa kupendana, kwa maana yeye ampendaye mwenzake, ameitimiza sheria.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.
9 Kwa kuwa amri hizi zisemazo, “Usizini,” “Usiue,” “Usiibe,” “Usitamani,” na amri nyingine zote, zinajumlishwa katika amri hii moja: “Mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako.”
For Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Upendo haumfanyii jirani jambo baya. Kwa hiyo upendo ndio utimilifu wa sheria.
The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.
11 Nanyi fanyeni hivi, mkiutambua wakati tulio nao. Saa ya kuamka kutoka usingizini imewadia, kwa maana sasa wokovu wetu umekaribia zaidi kuliko hapo kwanza tulipoamini.
And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
12 Usiku umeendelea sana, mapambazuko yamekaribia. Kwa hiyo tuyaweke kando matendo ya giza na tuvae silaha za nuru.
The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light.
13 Basi na tuenende kwa adabu kama inavyopasa wakati wa mchana, si kwa kufanya karamu za ulafi na ulevi, si kwa ufisadi na uasherati, si kwa ugomvi na wivu.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy:
14 Bali jivikeni Bwana Yesu Kristo, wala msifikiri jinsi mtakavyotimiza tamaa za miili yenu yenye asili ya dhambi.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.
