1 Timothawus 3
1 Ubellu une ucineari, asa umon din inpiziru aso udia kutyen nlira, adin piziiru katuwa kaciineari.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 Na iwa se imon tizogo liti ndia kutyenn nliran ba, na ayita ules nwani urum, unan kifu liti, unan cin seg nin nonku kibinai, unan yiru nlira unan yiru in dursuzu kiti,
[Since that is a task that others should respect], an overseer must [live] in such a way that [no one] can truly (say that he has done [anything that is] wrong/find fault with him). Specifically, [he must be] faithful to his wife. He must think clearly [about what he does]. He must be able to control his behavior. He must be sensible. He must be dignified/respectable. He must welcome and care for guests. He must be able to teach [God’s truth] well.
3 Na iwan seghe unan nso ntoro ba, na unan deddei nriu kiti ba, na aso unan yiru ncin nin nanit, unan salin nsu kubung, na wa yita nin nsu nikurfu ba.
He must not be a drunkard. He must not be ready/quick to fight [those who make him angry]. On the contrary, he must be gentle and he must not be quarrelsome. He must not be greedy for a lot of money.
4 Na amin kilari me gegeme, nono me tutun yiita anan nlanzu ghe nliru:
He must lead and care for his own household/family well. For example, he must be a man whom his children obey and completely respect,
5 (Unit nwa dari uminu kilari me gegeme, abati iyiziyari ayinin uminu kilari Kutellẹ?)
because if anyone does not know how he should lead well and care for well the people who live in his own house, (he certainly cannot care for God’s congregation!/how can he care for God’s congregation?) [RHQ]
6 Na awa yita upese nanya ndortu Kutellẹ ba, bara awa fo figiri, asso unan diu nafo shintag.
He must not be one who has just recently [trusted in Jesus], because [if you choose a man] like that, he might become conceited/proud [because you chose him so soon]. As a result of his being conceited/proud, God will condemn him like he condemned the devil [because he was conceited/proud].
7 Na iseghe nin Lissa licine kiti nanit ndas, bara awa piru nimon ncin nin libarda nshitan.
Moreover, [an elder must live] in such a way that non-Christians speak well of him, because [if he conducts himself like] that, people will not say evil things about him, and the devil will not capture/trap him [MET] [like people capture animals] in a trap.
8 Nanere a dikon, na iyita anan nibinai nisheu, na anan tinu tibaba ba,
[Those whom you choose to serve as] deacons likewise [must be ones who conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically], they must be (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must (be sincere/mean what they say). They must not like to drink a lot of alcohol. They must not (be greedy/have a strong desire to get money).
9 na anan nson toro ba, na iwa yita ninkot nin nsu nimon inyi ba, anan naburi agib nin nibinai nilau.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Na ida dumunzun nani assa na ise ani nin kulapi ba ina ni katuwe.
[Like you do for the elders], you must examine ([their character/how they conduct their lives]) [before you appoint them to serve]. Then if they are without fault, let them serve as deacons.
11 Nanere awane, na iyita anan nonku nibinai, na anan nijunguta ba, iyiita anan ncin ugegeme, anan nyiru ni nimon vat.
Their wives (OR, The women who are deacons) likewise [must conduct themselves suitably/appropriately. Specifically, they must be] (serious/worthy that people respect them). They must not speak evil about people. They must not drink a lot of alcohol. They must be faithful in everything that they do.
12 Na adikon yita anan nawani alalarum, iyita anan yiru ncin nin nilari mine nan nono mine gegeme.
Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.
13 Inug allenge na ina su katuwa ti dikon gegeme, ina se liyisin licine, nin naye akone nyinnu sa uyenu nanya Kristi Yisa.
Because if deacons serve well, people will respect them, and they will be able [to speak] very boldly/confidently about what they believe concerning Christ Jesus.
14 Ille inyerte ndisu udu kitife, indin cisu kibinai, na nin dandaunu ba mba dak kitife.
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 Assa udandaunu na uyenai ba, ndi nyertu fi unan yinno ucin nin kilari Kutellẹ, ka na idin yicu kilari nlira Kutellẹ kin nlai, fitak likara nin kidegen.
in order that if I (am delayed/things prevent me from visiting to you soon), you will know how believers should conduct their lives [and you will be able to teach that to them]. [I am talking about] all those who are members of God’s family, all the congregations that belong to the all-powerful God, all those who uphold/support [MET] the true [message].
16 Vat bite ti yinna, liyeshin ngbardang kiden Kutellẹ karin, “awa duro liti nanya kidowo, anasu kibolo nanya nfip me, nono kadura me yene ghe, ibelle uliru me nanya nalumai, uyi yinna ninghe, iwa serughe gongon nanya kitine kani.”
It is certainly true that [the message that God] has now revealed is very wonderful! From it, we learn this spiritual truth that we say/sing about [Christ] (OR, We affirm this teaching to be true and very important.) It is what shows us how to live (in a godly manner/in a manner that pleases God). It is what God has now revealed, even though it was not known before. [We] ([affirm/say that it is true]) concerning Jesus Christ that, He is the one who appeared on the earth in a human body. God’s Spirit showed/demonstrated that he is/was truly the Messiah (OR, that he always acted righteously); Angels saw him; people preached about him in many nations; People in many parts of the world believed the message about him. God took him up into heaven.
