1 Timotheo 3
1 Obhwaiki bhunu ni bhwo kwiikanyibhwa: Labha omunu kenda kubha Mutangasha, kenda milimu je kisi.
Anyone who aspires to be an elder [in the congregation] (OR, a bishop) desires a noble/honorable task.
2 Kulwejo omutangasha jimwiile asige okulomwa kubhibhi. Jimwiile abhe mulume wo mugasi umwi. Jimwiile abhe wo kwibhalila omwengeso, abhe wo bhwitondo, mufula. Jiile abhe no bhutulo bhwo kwiigisha.
[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 Asige okunywa obhwalwa, asige kulwana, nawe abhe mwololo, abhe wo mulembe. Jimwiile asige kubha wo kwenda jimpilya.
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 Jimwiile emelegululu abhanu bha munyumba yaye omwene, na abhana bhaye bheile bhamungwe mu chibhalo chone.
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 Kulwo kubha omunu akabha atakumenya okwimelegululu abhanu bha mu nyumba yaye omwene, katula kutiki okwimelegululu likanisa lya Nyamuanga?
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 Asige kubha mwikilisha muyaya, koleleki asiga kwikuya no kugwa mu ndamu lwo mujabhi uliya.
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 Jiile abhe na jintungwa je kisi ku bhona bha anja, kuleleki ataja kugwa mu nswalo na mu njilo jo mujabhi.
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 Abhafurubhendi, kutyo kutyo jibheile kubha bhanu bhe chibhalo, bhasiga kubha bha nyaika ebhili. Bhasige okunywa obhwalwa kwo kusagilila amwi okubha na inamba.
[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 Bhatule okubhika kwo mwoyo omwelu echimali che likilisha chinu chafundukuywe.
They must sincerely believe the message that [God] has now revealed [to us].
10 Bhabhe bhekelisibhwa kwamba, nio bhatule okufulubhenda kulwo kubha bhatana chikujulo.
[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 Abhagasi one bhabhe bhe chibhalo. Bhasige kubha bhabheelesha. Bhabhe no kwibhalila na bhalengelesi mu misango jone.
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 Abhafulubhendi jibheile bhabhe bhalume bho mugasi umwi umwi. Jibheile bhemelegululu kisi abhana bhebhwe na bha mu nyumba yebhwe.
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 Kulwo kubha bhanu abhatangasha kisi abhabhona obhwima bhwekisi no bhubhasi bhunene mu likilisha linu lili mu Kristo Yesu.
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 Enandika emisango jinu kwawe, na eniikanya okuja kwawe woli wolyanu.
Although I hope that I will come and visit you soon, I am writing these things to you [now]
15 Mbe nawe labha nikakola, enandika koleleki ubhone okumenya akalibhatiye ka mu nyumba ya Nyamuanga, inu ili likanisa lya Nyamuanga unu ali muanga, ng'ingi no musakisi we chimali.
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 Nolwo kutaliwo kubhambala ati echimali cho Bhuungu chinu chasuluywe ni chikulu: “Abhonekene mu mubhili, nelesibhwa no Mwoyo Omwelu, nabhonekana na malaika, nalasibhwa agati ya maanga, nekilisibhwa ne chalo, nagegwa ingulu mwi kusho.”
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.
