2 Wakorintho 12
1 Ni lazima nijivune, lakini hakuna kinachoongezwa na hilo. Bali nitaendelea kwenye maono na mafunuo kutoka kwa Bwana.
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Namjua mtu mmoja katika Kristo ambaye miaka kumi na minne iliyopita ambaye—ikiwa katika mwili, au nje ya mwili, mimi sijui, Mungu anajua—alinyakuliwa juu katika mbingu ya tatu.
I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago — whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known — such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;
3 Na ninajua kwamba mtu huyu—ikiwa katika mwili, au nje ya mwili, mimi sijui, Mungu anajua—
and I have known such a man — whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, —
4 alichukuliwa juu hadi paradiso na kusikia mambo matakatifu sana kwa mtu yeyote kuyasema.
that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.
5 Kwa niaba ya mtu kama huyo nitajivuna. lakini kwa niaba yangu mwenyewe sitajivuna. Isipokuwa kuhusu udhaifu wangu.
Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,
6 Kama nikitaka kujivuna, nisingekuwa mpumbavu, kwa kuwa ningekuwa ninazungumza ukweli. Lakini nitaacha kujivuna, ili kwamba asiwepo yeyote atakayenifikiria zaidi ya hayo kuliko kinachoonekana ndani yangu au kusikika kutoka kwangu.
for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;
7 Sitajivuna pia kwa sababu ya hayo mafunuo ya aina ya ajabu. Kwa hiyo, hivyo sitajawa na kiburi, mwiba uliwekwa ndani ya mwili wangu, mjumbe wa shetani kunishambulia mimi, ili nisigeuke kuwa mwenye majivuno.
and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.
8 Mara tatu nilimsihi Bwana kuhusu hili, ili yeye kuundoa kutoka kwangu.
Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,
9 Naye akaniambia, “Neema yangu inatosha kwa ajili yako, kwa kuwa nguvu hufanywa kamili katika udhaifu. Hivyo, ningetamani zaidi kujivuna zaidi kuhusu udhaifu wangu, ili kwamba uwezo wa Kristo uweze kukaa juu yangu.
and He said to me, 'Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:
10 Kwa hiyo ninatosheka kwa ajili ya Kristo, katika udhaifu, katika matukano, katika shida, katika mateso, katika hali ya masikitiko. Kwa kuwa wakati nikiwa dhaifu, kisha nina nguvu.
wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses — for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;
11 Mimi nimekuwa mpumbavu! ninyi mlinilazimisha kwa hili, kwa kuwa ningekuwa nimesifiwa na ninyi. Kwa kuwa sikuwa duni kabisa kwa hao waitwao mitume—bora, hata kama mimi si kitu.
I have become a fool — boasting; ye — ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles — even if I am nothing.
12 Ishara za kweli za mtume zilifanyika katikati yenu kwa uvumilivu, ishara na maajabu na matendo makuu.
The signs, indeed, of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,
13 Kwa namna gani mlikuwa wa muhimu wa chini kuliko makanisa yaliyobaki, isipokuwa kwamba sikuwa mzigo kwenu? Mnisamehe kwa kosa hili!
for what is there in which ye were inferior to the rest of the assemblies, except that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this injustice!
14 Tazama! mimi niko tayari kuja kwenu kwa mara ya tatu. Sitakuwa mzigo kwenu, kwa kuwa sitaki kitu kilicho chenu. Nawataka ninyi. Kwa kuwa watoto hawapaswi kuweka akiba kwa ajili ya wazazi. Badala yake, wazazi wanapaswa kuweka akiba kwa ajili ya watoto.
Lo, a third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not yours, but you, for the children ought not for the parents to lay up, but the parents for the children,
15 Nitafurahi zaidi kutumia na kutumiwa kwa ajili ya nafsi zenu. Kama ninawapenda zaidi, natakiwa kupendwa kidogo?
and I most gladly will spend and be entirely spent for your souls, even if, more abundantly loving you, less I am loved.
16 Lakini kama ilivyo, sikuwalemea mzigo ninyi. Lakini kwa kuwa mimi ni mwerevu sana, mimi ni yule aliyewashika ninyi kwa nimekuwa ambaye aliyewapata kwa udanganyifu.
And be it [so], I — I did not burden you, but being crafty, with guile I did take you;
17 Je, nilichukua kwa kujifanyia faida kwa yeyote niliyemtuma kwenu?
any one of those whom I have sent unto you — by him did I take advantage of you?
18 Nilimsihi Tito kuja kwenu, na nilituma ndugu mwingine pamoja naye. Je, Tito aliwafanyia faida ninyi? Je, hatukutembea katika njia ile ile? Je, hatukutembea katika nyayo zile zile?
I entreated Titus, and did send with [him] the brother; did Titus take advantage of you? in the same spirit did we not walk? — did we not in the same steps?
19 Mnadhani kwa muda huu wote tumekuwa tukijitetea sisi wenyewe kwenu? Mbele za Mungu, na katika Kristo, tumekuwa tukisema kila kitu kwa ajili ya kuwaimarisha ninyi.
Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, [are] for your up-building,
20 Kwa kuwa nina hofu kwamba nitakapokuja naweza nisiwapate ninyi kama ninavyotamani. Nina hofu kwamba mnaweza msinipate mimi kama mnavyotamani. Nahofia kwamba kunaweza kuwa na majadiliano, wivu, milipuko ya hasira, tamaa ya ubinafsi, umbeya, kiburi, na ugomvi.
for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I — I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,
21 Nina hofu kwamba nitakaporudi tena, Mungu wangu anaweza kuninyenyekeza mbele yenu. Nina hofu kwamba ninaweza kuhuzunishwa na wengi ambao wamefanya dhambi kabla ya sasa, na ambao hawakutubu uchafu, na uasherati na mambo ya tamaa wanayoyatenda.
lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.
