1 Corinthians 7

1 Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.

Lino ndakumbulunga makani ngomwalanjipusha mukalata yenu. Ee, caina mutuloba kubula kweba.

2 But because many people are committing sexual immorality, [which God detests], every man should have his own wife [with whom he can have sexual relations], and every woman should have her own husband [with whom she can have sexual relations].

Nomba pacebo cakufula kwabupombo, anu mutuloba uliyense abe ne mukashendi enka, nendi mutukashi abe nemulume wakendi enka.

3 Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.

Mutuloba akwanilishe ncito njabela mutuloba mung'anda, nendi mutukashi akwanilishe ncito njabela mutukashi mung'anda.

4 A man’s wife does not have the right over her own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with her husband]. Instead, her husband also has a right [to decide about that]. Similarly, a woman’s husband does not have the right over his own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with his wife]. Instead, his wife also has a right [to decide about that].

Mukashi liya ngofu pamubili wakendi sobwe, nsombi mulume eukute ngofu. Nendi mulume liya ngofu pamubili wakendi sobwe, nsombi mukashendi eukute ngofu.

5 You may refuse [to have sexual relations with] each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you [to have sex with someone else] because you are unable to control your sexual desires.

Kamutakanishanga mibili yenu mung'anda. Ee ngacibeco namunyumfwana kwinseco kwa kacindi kang'ana, kwambeti mushe mano kukupaila. Panyuma pakendi ingamupitilisha kuyabilana mibili kwambeti Satana katamwelekeshani pacebo cakutekata myoyo kwenu.

6 I am telling you these things to say that [God] allows [you to get married, but he] does not say that you must [get married].

Ncendambanga nikumusuminishowa, nteko kumutinga panshingo sobwe.

7 I myself wish that all people would stay [unmarried/single], as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to [live without getting married], and he has enabled other people to [get married].

Ninganyanda kwambeti bantu bonse nshinga nibalyeti njame, nomba Lesa walapa muntu uliyense cipo cakendi, naumbi cipo camushobo uyu, kayi naumbi cipo camushobo usa.

8 Now I want to say this to you unmarried people and to you whose spouses have died: It would be good for you to remain [unmarried] as I am.

Lino kuli babula kweba ne bamukalubingi, ndambanga ndeti bapitilishe kwikala bonka mbuli ame ncondekalanga.

9 But if you cannot control your [sexual desires] [EUP], you should get married. It is better to be married [so that you can satisfy your sexual desires with your spouse] than to constantly have a strong desire [EUP] [for sexual relations].

Nomba nankabela kucikonsha kulukanisha lunkumbwa lwabo, anu kabebani pakwinga caina kweba kupita kupenga nelunkumbwa.

10 And now I will give a command for [believers who are] married. This is not a command from me alone; it also comes from the Lord Jesus. You married women must not (separate from/divorce) your husbands!

Kuli bantu bebana, mulawo ngondamupanga wabula kuba wakame nsombi ulafumunga ku Mwami nuwu, mukashi kataleka mulume.

11 But if any of you do that, you must remain unmarried, or else you should be reconciled with your husband [and live with him again]. Similarly, men must not (separate from/divorce) their wives.

Na umuleka mulume, kekalani mushike mpani ngaubweshana nemulume. Neye mulume kataleka mukashendi.

12 Now I say this to the rest of you, [to those who became believers after they were married. This is what] I [am saying], not what the Lord [has commanded]. If someone has a wife who is not a believer, if she is willing to keep living with him, he must not divorce her.

Kuli nabambi nteye Mwami lambanga nsombi njame. Muklistu weba mukashi wakunsa, nomba namukashi usumina kupitilisha kwikala nemulume, mulume katamuleka mukashendi.

13 Similarly, if a woman has a husband who is not a believer, if he is willing to keep living with her, she must not divorce him.

Cimocimo mukashi muklistu webwa kumulume wakunsa, nomba uyo mulume usumina kupitilisha kwikala ne mukashendi, mukashi katamuleka mulume.

14 [I say that] because God has set apart every woman’s unbelieving husband [for himself] because of his wife [being a believer], and God has set apart every man’s unbelieving wife [for himself] because of her husband [being a believer]. If that were not true, [God would consider] their children unacceptable. But, the fact is that [God does consider] them acceptable to him.

Pakwinga mulume wakunsa ukute kuba waswepa kuli Lesa cebo ca mukashendi Muklistu. Nendi mukashi wakunsa ukute kuba waswepa cebo camulume Muklistu. Necalabula kubeco, nshinga bana benu nebabula kuba baswepa, nomba lino mbuli ncocibele, bana benu bakute kuba baswepa.

15 However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let [him or her] do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.

Nomba nawakunsa layanda kuleka muklistu, amuleke. Palico muklistu mutuloba nambi mutukashi wasunguluka. Lesa walamukuwa kwambeti mwikale ne buyumi bwa lumuno.

16 [You women believers should allow your unbelieving spouses to leave you if they want to], because there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your husband if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your husband if you stay together.) Similarly, you men [who are believers], there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your wives if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your wives if you stay together.)

Obe mukashi muklistu ucinshi econi kwambeti nukamupulushe mulume? Nenjobe mulume muklistu ucinshi econi kwambeti nukamupulushe mukashobe?

17 However, each person should continue in the status that the Lord gave him, the status that he had when the Lord called him [to belong to him]. That is the rule that I tell people in all the congregations [where I speak].

Nikukabeco lekani uliyense ekale mubwikalo mbwalapewa ne Mwami Yesu, mbuli ncomwalikuba Lesa mpwalamukuwa. Iyi emilawo njonkute kwiyisha mumibungano yonse.

18 If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not [try to pretend that he is not] circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.

Namuntu lakwiwa ne Lesa kaliwapalulwa kendi, katasoleka kubeti nkapalulwa. Nicimocimo namuntu nkali kuba wapalulwa pacindi Lesa mpwalamukuwa katapalulwa sobwe.

19 [You should not try to change your status that way], because it means nothing [to God] whether someone is circumcised or not. What is important is that we obey what God has commanded.

Nambi muntu wapalulwa nambi wabula kupalulwa paliya cilipo sobwe. Nsombi cilayandikinga ni kunyumfwila Milawo ya Lesa.

20 [Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.

Muntu uliyense apitilishe kwikala mbuli ncalikuba cindi ncalakwiwa ne Lesa.

21 If one of you was a slave when you [(sg)] became a Christian [RHQ], do not be concerned about it. However, if you get an opportunity to be free, do [what you need to do to become free].

Sena mwalikuba basha cindi ncalamukuwa Lesa? Kamutapenga! Nomba na mukuteko colwe ca kusunguluka sebenseshani colwe cilico.

22 [Do not worry about your previously being a slave], because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them [from Satan’s control]. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, [it is as though] [MET] they are Christ’s slaves [because they must do what he tells them to do] [MET].

Pakwinga muntu walikuba musha cindi Mwami ncalamukuwa, muntuyo kuli Mwami wasunguluka. Cimocimo uyo walikuba wasunguluka cindi Mwami ncalamukuwa nimusha wakendi Klistu.

23 [Christ] paid a price to buy you [when he died for you]. So do not [act as if you are evil people’s] slaves [by doing the evil things that they tell you to do].

Lesa walamuula ne mulo wapelu, neco kamutabanga basha babantu.

24 My fellow believers, [I repeat that in general] each believer, being in fellowship with God, should continue in the status that he had before he became a Christian.

Mobanse uliyense apitilishe kwikala pamenso pa Lesa kwelana mbuli ncalikuba cindi ncalamukuwa Lesa.

25 Now [I will answer your question] about women who have never married. There is nothing that the Lord has commanded me [to write about them], but I am writing this to tell you what I think [is best], because the Lord [Jesus] has mercifully enabled me to [say] what is reliable.

Lino kwamba pa makani abatana beba ne kwebwa ngomwalalemba, ndiya mulawo wa Mwami sobwe. Nsombi ndamwambilinga kwelana ne kuyeya kwakame pakuba muntu washomeka muluse lwa Mwami.

26 There are a lot of distressing events [happening] now (OR, that will soon happen), so I think that it is better for people to remain in the marital status that they now have.

Pakuyeya shamakatasho alipepi kwinshika, ndayeyengeti caina muntu apitilishe kwikala mbuli ncabele.

27 If any of you [men] are married [RHQ], do not try to divorce your wife. If any of you are unmarried [RHQ], do not seek a wife.

Sena ukute mukashi? Kotelekesha kumuleka. Sena njobe nkungulume? Kotelekesha kweba.

28 But if [any of] you [men] get married, you have not committed a sin [by doing that]. Likewise, if an unmarried woman gets married, she has not committed a sin [by doing that]. However, those who get married will have many troubles, [so I am urging you to remain unmarried in order that] you may not experience [such troubles].

Nomba na uyanda kweba paliya kwipisha kulipo sobwe. Kayi namulindu uyanda kwebwa neye paliya kwipisha kulipo sobwe. Nomba bantu bali mucikwati nibakacane mapensho mubuyumi bwabo, neco ndayandangeti kamutakacana mapensho alico.

29 My fellow believers, this is what I mean: There is not much time left [before Christ returns]. So, from now on those men who are married should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not married.

Ncondamwambilinga mobanse nicakwambeti, cindi cilashala nicifupi. Neco kufuma cindi cino batuloba bali mucikwati babeti nkabeba,

30 Those who are sad should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not sad. Those who are rejoicing [should devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not joyful.

kayi abo balalilinga babeti nkabalalilinga, kayi abo balakondwanga babeti nkabalakondwanga, kayi abo balaulunga bintu bekaleti baliya bintu mbyobalaula,

31 Those who are buying things should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they did not possess those things. Because this world as it exists now will soon be gone, those who are actively involved in the affairs of this life [should not devote all their time] to be involved in those things.

abo balasebenseshenga bintu byapacishi pano, kabatabika myoyo yabo mubintu ibyo. Pakwinga cishi cino capanshi mbuli ncocilabonekenga nteti cikale cindi citali sobwe.

32 [Another reason why] I [encourage you to remain unmarried is that] I desire that none of you be anxious [about the everyday affairs of this life]. Unmarried men are [able to be primarily] concerned about serving the Lord Jesus and trying to please him.

Lino ndayandishishinga kwambeti mube basunguluka kubishi kuyakamwisha. Nkungulume ukute kusha mano kubintu bya Mwami, pakwinga lelekeshenga kumukondwelesha Mwami.

33 But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.

Nomba mutuloba ukute mukashi ukute kusha mano kubintu byapacishi capanshi pano kuyeya cakumwinshila mukashendi kwambeti abe wakondwa.

34 So their thinking is divided. Unmarried women are [able to be] concerned about serving the Lord. They want to set apart their minds and their bodies for serving the Lord. But married women are [often] concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about how to please their husbands.

Neco ukute kaliwekata pabili. Kayi nendi mutukashi wabula kwebwa nambi mulindu nendi ukute kaliwasha mano kubintu bya Mwami, pakwinga ukute kuyanda kulibenga kumubili ne kumushimu. Nomba mukashi webwa ukute kusha mano kubintu bya pano pacishi kuyeya ncelela kumwinshila mulume kwambeti abenga wakondwa.

35 I am telling you this for your own good. I am not saying it in order to restrict you. Instead, I am saying it in order that you may do what is proper and be able to serve the Lord without being distracted {things distracting you}.

Ndambangeco kuyanda kumunyamfwa, nteko kumucalila byakwinsa sobwe. Ncondayandanga nikwambeti mwinsenga bintu byonse mwalumbuluka, kwambeti mulibengenga cakupwililila pakusebensela Mwami.

36 [Some of you men have asked about your unmarried daughters]. [I suggest that] if any man thinks that he may be treating his daughter unfairly [by keeping her from marrying], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he thinks that she ought to be married, he should do what he wants to do. He should let her get married. He will not be sinning [by doing that].

Na naumbi uyeyeti nkalenshinga cintu caina pakukanisha mwanendi mulindu kwebwa kumutuloba wa mumamikila, kayi uboneti mwanendi lapiti pamushimba wakwebwa, mulekeni ense ncalayeyenga, liya kwipisha sobwe, ngabebana.

37 But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better that his daughter not get married], and if nothing is forcing [her to get married], and if he is free to do what he decides to do on the matter, if he decides that his daughter should not get married, he is doing what is right in [keeping her from marrying].

Nomba na mutuloba uyeya mwine kwakubula kumukakatisha, kayi na miyeyo yakendi ifuma panshi pamoyo wakendi kwambeti nkasuni kumweba mulinduyu, kayi na ngacikonsha kwikata moyo wakendi, muntuyu neye lenshi cena.

38 So any man who decides that his daughter should get married is doing what is good, but if he decides that she should not get married, he is doing something even better. (OR, [Some of you men have asked about the women to whom you are engaged to marry]. If any man thinks that he may be treating that woman unfairly [by not marrying her], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he wants to marry her very much, he should do what he wants to do. He should marry her. He will not be sinning [by doing that]. But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better] for him not to get married, and if nothing is forcing [them to get married], if he is free to make his own decision on the matter, if he decides not to get married, he is doing what is right. So any man who decides that he should get married to the woman he is engaged to is doing what is good, but if he decides that he should not get married, he is doing something even better.)

Neco mutuloba lebe mulindu ngwalikuba wamamikila lenshi cena, nomba neye utasuni kweba lenshi cena kupitapo.

39 Women must remain married to their husbands while their husbands are still alive. But if a woman’s husband dies, she is free to marry any [unmarried] man whom she wants to marry, but he must belong to the Lord.

Mukashi wasungwa ku mulawo wacikwati mulume acibanga muyumi. Na mulume uluma bulongo, mukashi wasunguluka kwebwa ku mutuloba uliyense lamukondo, nomba uyo mutuloba wela kuba muklistu.

40 However, I think that she will be happier if she does not marry again. And I believe that the Spirit of God is [directing] me [as I say that].

Kuyeya kwakame nikwambeti ngawikala cena kupitapo naubula kwebwa. Ndayeyenga kwambeti nenjame nkute Mushimu wa Lesa.