1 Timothy 3

1 Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.

Ni kweli kuti, mundu apinga kubha kalongolele jwa likanisha, anapinga liengo lya mmbone.

2 [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.

Bhai inapinjikwa kalongolele abhe mundu anakole ilebho ku bhandunji, na analombe matala, na abhe jwa kwiiluma na jwa ishimika, na jwa lunda, na jwa mituka na akombola kujiganya,

3 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.

nngabha mundu jwa kolelwa na nngomo, ikabhe abhe jwa kwitimalika na jwangali mitau, na anabhe mundu jwa kunnonyela mbiya,

4 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,

mundu akombola kulongoya ukoto bhandu bha likaja lyakwe, na akombola kwaatendanga bhaanagwe bhampilikananje na bhakolanje ishima.

5 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]

Pabha monaga mundu akakombola kwaalongoyanga ukoto bhandu bha likaja lyakwe, shakombole bhuli kulilongoya likanisha lya a Nnungu?

6 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].

Na kabhili mundu akanabhe kwiishimilika ukoto nngulupai, anaagulwe kubha kalongolele, nngakabha anakwiipuna niukumulwa malinga shatendilwe Lishetani.

7 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.

Abhe mundu jwa shuma uguja kubhandunji bha kunyenje, nkupinga anagambwe nitanjila nniyau lika Lishetani.

8 [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).

Nneyo peyo na mashemashi nnikanisha bhabhanganje bhandunji bha ishimika, na bhanabhanganje bha malobhe malobhe, na bhanabhanganje bha kolelwa, na bhapinganga mmbiya ya tokomaya,

9 They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].

bhabhanganje bhaakagulilanga ngulupai ya kweli.

10 [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.

Kwa nneyo bhatandubhanje kulingwa, kungai bhatendanje liengo lya jangutila nnikanisha, bhabhonekangaga kuti bhangalinji itendi ya nyata.

11 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.

Nneyo peyo na ashaakongo bhabhonji, bhabhanganje bhaishimikanga, bhanabhanganje bha lung'wenyi, bhabhanganje bhakwiitimalika, na bhaakulupalikanga kwa kila shindu.

12 Deacons must be faithful to their wives, and they must lead well and care well for their children and [other] people in their houses.

Mashemashi bhanalombanje matala, numbe bhakombolanje kulongoya ashibhana bhabhonji na makaja gabhonji ukoto.

13 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.

Pabha bhatendanga liengo ukoto nnikanisha, bhanapatanga kushimilika ukoto, nikola mashili ga bheleketa kwa makangala, ga ngulupai yabhonji nkulundana na a Yeshu Kilishitu.

14 Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]

Ngunakunnjandishila gegano, akuno nguliganishiya kuti ngakabha kwiya kweneko.

15 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].

Ikabheje monaga ngabhaga kwiya, bhai mmumanyanje shiikupinjikwa bhandu kutama nnikaja lya a Nnungu, yani nnikanisha lya a Nnungu bhakwete gumi, bhali lipoto, na nshingi gwa kweli.

16 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.

Bhai, pangali lipamba lyolyowe ga shinjubhi shikulu sha dini jetu, A Kilishitu bhakoposhele kwa shiilu sha shigundu, gubhakong'ondelwe naka Mbumu jwa Ukonjelo kuti bhakwete aki, gubhabhoneshe na ashimalaika. Gubhalungwiywe ku bhandu bha ilambo ina. Gubhakulupalilwe pa shilambolyo, nigubhanyakwilwe kunani muukonjelo.