1 KwabaseThesalonika 5

1 Kodwa ngezikhathi langemizuzu, bazalwane, kalisweli ukuthi libhalelwe,

But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.

2 ngoba lina uqobo liyazi kuhle kakhulu ukuthi usuku lweNkosi luzafika ngokunjalo njengesela ebusuku;

For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3 ngoba nxa besithi: Ukuthula lokuhlala kuhle, khona ukubhujiswa okujumayo kuzabehlela, njengomhelo kowesifazana okhulelweyo, njalo kabasoze baphunyuke.

When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.

4 Kodwa lina, bazalwane, kalikho emnyameni, ukuze lolosuku luliphuthume njengesela;

But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:

5 lina lonke lingabantwana bokukhanya labantwana bemini; kasisibo abobusuku loba abobumnyama;

For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.

6 ngakho-ke asingalali njengabanye labo, kodwa asilinde siqonde.

So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.

7 Ngoba abalalayo balala ebusuku; labadakwayo badakwa ebusuku.

For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;

8 Kodwa thina esingabemini, asiqonde, sifake isivikelo sesifuba sokholo lothando, lethemba losindiso libe likhowa,

But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.

9 ngoba uNkulunkulu kasimiselanga ulaka, kodwa ukuzuza usindiso ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu,

For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 owasifelayo, ukuze loba siphapheme loba silele, siphile kanye laye.

Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

11 Ngakho khuthazanani, lakhane, njengoba lani likwenza.

So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.

12 Kodwa siyalincenga, bazalwane, ukuthi libazi labo abasebenza nzima phakathi kwenu, labaliphathayo eNkosini, labalelulekayo,

But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;

13 njalo libahlonipha kakhulu okwedlula amalawulo ethandweni ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo. Hlalisanani ngokuthula.

And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Kodwa siyalikhuthaza, bazalwane, yelulekani abangelamthetho, liduduze abadanileyo, lisekele ababuthakathaka, libekezelele bonke.

And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.

15 Qaphelani ukuthi kungabi khona ophindisela omunye okubi ngokubi; kodwa dingisisani ngesikhathi sonke okuhle lomunye komunye lakibo bonke.

Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.

16 Thokozani njalonjalo;

Have joy at all times.

17 khulekani lingaphezi;

Keep on with your prayers.

18 bongani kukho konke; ngoba lokhu kuyintando kaNkulunkulu kuKristu Jesu ngani.

In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Lingamcitshi uMoya;

Do not put out the light of the Spirit;

20 lingadeleli iziprofetho;

Do not make little of the words of the prophets;

21 hlolisisani konke; libambelele kokuhle;

Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;

22 dedani kukho konke ukubonakala kobubi.

Keep from every form of evil.

23 Kungathi uNkulunkulu wokuthula uqobo angalenza libe ngcwele ngokupheleleyo; njalo kungathi umoya wenu wonke lomphefumulo lomzimba kungalondolozwa kungasoleki ekufikeni kweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu.

And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Uthembekile yena olibizayo; laye ozakwenza lokhu.

God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.

25 Bazalwane, sikhulekeleni.

Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.

26 Bingelelani abazalwane bonke ngokwanga okungcwele.

Give all the brothers a holy kiss.

27 Ngiyalifungisa ngeNkosi, ukuthi lincwadi ifundwe kubo bonke abazalwane abangcwele.

I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.

28 Umusa weNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu kawube lani. Ameni.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.