KuThithusi 3

1 Bakhumbuze ukuthi bazehlisele ngaphansi kwababusi leziphathamandla, babalalele, balungele wonke umsebenzi omuhle,

Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

2 bangahlebi muntu, bangabi yizilwi, babekezele, batshengise bonke ubumnene ebantwini bonke.

to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility towards all men.

3 Ngoba lathi kade sasiyiziphukuphuku, singalaleli, sikhohliswa, sisebenzela inkanuko lentokozo ezinenginengi, siphila ebubini lemoneni, sizondeka, sizondana.

For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 Kodwa lapho sekubonakele umusa lothando lukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu kubantu,

But when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love towards mankind appeared,

5 kungeyisikho okuvela ezenzweni zokulunga esazenzayo thina, kodwa njengokwesihawu sakhe wasisindisa, ngokugeziswa kokuzalwa kutsha lokuvuselelwa koMoya oNgcwele,

not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

6 owamthulula ngokwengezelelweyo phezu kwethu, ngoJesu Kristu uMsindisi wethu,

whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 ukuze silungisiswe ngomusa wakhe, sibe yizindlalifa ngokwethemba lempilo elaphakade. (aiōnios g166)

that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (aiōnios g166)

8 Lithembekile ilizwi, njalo ngithanda ukuthi uqinise isibili ngalezizinto, ukuze abakholwa kuNkulunkulu bakhuthalele ukuma emisebenzini emihle. Lezi yizinto ezinhle ezilosizo ebantwini;

This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

9 kodwa xwaya imibuzo yobuthutha lendaba zosendo olokuzalana lombango lokuphikisana ngomlayo; ngoba kazisizi futhi ziyize.

but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10 Umuntu obhazukayo emva kwesilayo sokuqala lesesibili, mdele,

Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,

11 usazi ukuthi onjalo uphambukile, uyona, uyazilahla yena.

knowing that such a one is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

12 Nxa ngizathuma uArtema kuwe loba uTikiko, khuthala uze kimi eNikapoli; ngoba ngizimisele ukuhlala khona ebusika.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.

13 Khuthala uncedise uZena isazumthetho loApolosi ekuhambeni kwabo, ukuze kungabi lalutho oluswelakalayo kubo.

Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.

14 Abakithi-ke labo kabafunde ukuma emisebenzini emihle yokudingekayo kusweleka, ukuze bangabi ngabangelazithelo.

Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 Bonke abalami bayakubingelela. Bingelela abasithandayo ekholweni. Umusa kawube lani lonke. Ameni.

All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.