1 Wathesalonike 3
1 Kwa hiyo, tulipo kuwa hatuwezi kuvumilia zaidi, tulifikiri kuwa ilikuwa vema kubaki kule Athene peke yetu.
Wherefore, when we could no longer forbear, we chose to be left at Athens alone,
2 Tulimtuma Timotheo, ndugu yetu na mtumishi wa Mungu katika injili ya Kristo, kuwaimalisha na kuwafariji kuhusiana na imani yenu.
and sent Timothy, our brother and a fellow-laborer with God in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to encourage you in your faith,
3 Tulifanya haya ili kusudi asiwepo yeyote wa kuteteleka kutokana na mateso haya, kwa kuwa wenyewe mnajua kwamba tumekwisha teuliwa kwa ajili ya hili.
so that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for yourselves know that to this we are appointed;
4 Kwa kweli, wakati tulipokuwa pamoja nanyi, tulitangulia kuwaeleza ya kuwa tulikuwa karibu kupata mateso, na hayo yalitokea kama mjuavyo.
for even when we were with you, we told you before that we are to suffer affliction, just as it came to pass, and ye know.
5 Kwa sababu hii, nilipo kuwa siwezi kuvumilia tena, nilituma ilikusudi nipate kujua juu ya imani yenu. Huenda mjaribu alikuwa angalau amewajaribu, na kazi yetu ikawa ni bure.
For this cause, when I too could no longer forbear, I sent in order to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor should prove in vain.
6 Lakini Timotheo alikuja kwetu kutokea kwenu na akatuletea habari njema juu ya imani na upendo wenu. Alitwambia ya kuwa mnayo kumbukumbu nzuri juu yetu, na kuwa mnatamani kutuona kama ambavyo nasi twatamani kuwaona ninyi.
But when Timothy just now came to us from you, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you;
7 Kwa sababu hii, ndugu tulifarijika sana na ninyi kwa sababu ya imani yenu, katika taabu na mateso yetu yote.
for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction by your faith;
8 Kwa sasa tunaishi, kama mkisimama imara kwa Bwana,
for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9 Kwani ni shukurani zipi tumpe Mungu kwa ajili yenu, kwa furaha yote tuliyonayo mbele za Mungu juu yenu?
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our God;
10 Tunaomba sana usiku na mchana ili tuweze kuziona nyuso zenu na kuwaongezea kinachopungua katika imani yenu.
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may supply that which is lacking in your faith?
11 Mungu wetu na Baba mwenyewe, na Bwana wetu Yesu atuongoze njia yetu tufike kwenu.
Now God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you;
12 Na Bwana awafanye muongezeke na kuzidi katika pendo, mkipendana na kuwapenda watu wote, kama tunavyowafanyia ninyi.
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we do in love toward you;
13 Na afanye hivi ili kuiimarisha mioyo yenu iwe bila lawama katika utakatifu mbele za Mungu wetu na Baba yetu katika ujio wa Bwana Yesu pamoja na watakatifu wake wote.
in order that he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
