1 Wakorintho 8
1 Sasa kuhusu vyakula vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu: tunajua ya kwamba “sisi sote tuna maarifa.” Maarifa huleta majivuno, bali upendo hujenga.
RESPECTING the sacrifices of idols, we know that in all of us there is knowledge; and knowledge inflateth, but love buildeth up.
2 Ikiwa mtu yeyote anadhani kwamba anajua jambo fulani, mtu huyo bado hajui kama impasavyo kujua.
But if a man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as it behoves him to know:
3 Lakini ikiwa mmoja wapo akimpenda Mungu, mtu huyo anajulikana naye.
but if a man love Aloha, this (one) is acknowledged of him.
4 Basi kuhusu kula vyakula vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu: twajua kuwa “sanamu si kitu katika dunia hii,” na ya kuwa hakuna Mungu ila mmoja tu.”
Concerning the meat of the sacrifices of idols, then, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 Kwa maana kuna wengi waitwao miungu ikiwa ni mbinguni au duniani, kama vile walivyo “miungu na mabwana wengi.”
For there are also who are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as that there are gods many and lords many:
6 “Ijapokuwa kwetu kuna Mungu mmoja tu ambaye ni Baba, vitu vyote vimetoka kwake, nasi tunaishi kwake, na Bwana mmoja Yesu Kristo, ambaye kwake vitu vyote vimekuwapo, na kwa yeye sisi tupo.”
but to us our One is Aloha the Father, of whom are all, and we in him; and one Lord Jeshu Meshiha, by whom are all, and we by him.
7 Hata hivyo, ujuzi huu haupo ndani ya kila mmoja. Badala yake, wengine walishiriki ibada za sanamu hapo zamani, na hata sasa wanakula vyakula hivi kana kwamba ni kitu kilichotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu. Dhamiri zao zimepotoshwa kwa kuwa ni dhaifu.
But not in every man is this knowledge; for there are some who in their conscience until now (believe) that, with respect to idols, as of that which hath been sacrificed we eat. And because of weakness their conscience is defiled.
8 Lakini chakula hakitatuthibitisha sisi kwa Mungu. Sisi sio wabaya sana kama tusipo kula, wala wema sana ikiwa tutakula.
But meat doth not bring us nigh to Aloha. For if we eat, we excel not; nor if we eat not, are we deficient.
9 Lakini iweni makini ya kwamba uhuru wenu usiwe sababu ya kumkwaza aliye dhaifu katika imani.
But beware that this your power become not a stumbling-block to the infirm ones.
10 Hebu fikiri kwamba mtu amekuona, wewe uliye na ujuzi, unakula chakula katika hekalu la sanamu. Dhamiri yake mtu huyo haitathibitika hata yeye naye ale vitu vilivyotolewa sadaka kwa sanamu?
For if a man shall see thee in whom is knowledge reclining in the house of idols, will not his conscience, because he is weak, be confirmed to eat that which is sacrificed,
11 Kwa hiyo kwa sababu ya ufahamu wako wa ukweli juu ya asili ya sanamu, kaka au dada yako aliye dhaifu, ambaye pia Kristo alikufa kwa ajili yake, anaangamizwa.
and he will perish through thy knowledge? he who is weak, and on account of whom the Meshiha died.
12 Hivyo, unapofanya dhambi dhidi ya kaka na dada zako na kuzijeruhi dhamiri zao zilizo dhaifu, mnatenda dhambi dhidi ya Kristo.
And if so you transgress against your brethren, and wound their weak consciences, do you not transgress against the Meshiha?
