Ufunuo 3

1 Kwa malaika wa kanisa la Sardi andika: 'Maneno ya yule anayeshikilia zile roho saba za Mungu na nyota saba. “Najua ambacho umefanya. Una sifa ya kuwa hai, lakini u-mfu.

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Sardis [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who can give [to people] all the power of God’s Spirit (OR, in whom is the Spirit of God who has all kinds of power; OR, [who has God’s Spirit, who is symbolized as] seven spirits), and [I am the one] who has the seven stars. I know everything that you have done. You [(pl)] appear to be alive [spiritually], but [you are so weak spiritually it is as though] you are dead [MET].

2 Amka na kuimarisha yaliyosalia, lakini yako karibu kufa, kwa sababu sikuyaona matendo yako yamekamilika machoni pa Mungu wangu.

[Become aware of your spiritual need as though you were] awaking [from sleep] [MET], and strengthen [yourself spiritually, because you are so useless that you are like someone who is] about to die [MET]. [You must do this] because I know that my God considers that nothing that you do is satisfactory.

3 Kwa hiyo, kumbuka, yale uliyoyapokea na kusikia. Yatii na kutubu. Lakini usipoamka, nitakuja kama mwivi, na hutajua saa ipi nitakayokuja juu yako.

So then, keep remembering [God’s message, what] you accepted when you heard it. Obey it continually, and turn away from your sinful behavior. If [you do not become aware of your spiritual need and turn away from your] [MET] [sinful behavior], I will come to you [when you are not expecting me], as a thief [comes] [SIM]. You will never know at what time I will come to [judge] you.

4 Lakini kuna majina machache ya watu katika Sardi ambao hawakuchafua nguo zao. Watatembea pamoja nami, wamevaa nguo nyeupe, kwa sababu wanastahili.

Nevertheless, [there] in Sardis you have a few members who [have not been doing what is wrong. It is as though they] have not soiled their garments [MET]. As a result, because they are worthy [to live with me], they will live with me [and will be pure in every way] [MET], [like people who are dressed] in [pure] white [clothing].

5 Yeye ashindaye atavikwa mavazi meupe, na kamwe sitalifuta jina lake kutoka katika kitabu cha uzima, na nitalitaja jina lake mbele ya Baba yangu, na mbele ya malaika.

Everyone who conquers [Satan] I will dress in these same white garments [MET] (OR, will be [pure in every way as though they are] dressed in these white garments), and I will never erase their names from the book [that contains the names of the people who have eternal] life. Instead, as my Father and his angels are listening, I will acknowledge that they [MTY] [belong to me].

6 Ukiwa na sikio, sikiliza Roho ayaambiavyo makanisa.”

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

7 “Kwa malaika wa kanisa la Philadefia andika: Maneno ya aliye mtakatifu na kweli - aliye na funguo za Daudi, hufungua na hakuna afungaye, hufunga na hakuna awezaye kufungua.

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Philadelphia [city]: ‘I am saying these things [to you. I am] God’s Holy One, the True One. [Just like King] David had authority [MTY] [to allow people to enter the ancient city of Jerusalem, so I have the authority to allow people to enter] my kingdom. [I am] the one who opens [doors] so that no one can close them, and who closes doors so that no one can open them.

8 Najua ambacho umetenda. Tazama, nimekuwekea mbele yako mlango uliofunguliwa ambao hakuna awezaye kuufunga. Najua unazo nguvu kidogo, lakini umelitii neno langu na hujalikana jina langu.

I know everything you have done. Be aware that I have opened a door before you, a door that no one can close. [I know that although] there are not [many believers] (OR, much [spiritual] strength) [MTY] [in your congregation], you have obeyed what I say, and you have not denied [that you believe in] me [MTY].

9 Angalia! Wote walio wa sinagogi la shetani, wale wasemao wao ni Wayahudi na kumbe siyo, badala yake wanadanganya. Nitawafanya waje na kusujudu mbele ya miguu yako, na watajua ya kuwa nilikupenda.

[I am aware that] some of your people meet together with those who [follow/worship] Satan. They claim to be Jews, but I know that they are not true Jews. They are lying. I will cause them to come to you and to bow down [humbly] at your feet and to acknowledge that I love you.

10 Kwa kuwa umetunza amri yangu kwa uvumilivu wa uthabiti, nitakulinda pia katika saa yako ya kujaribiwa ambayo inakuja katika ulimwengu wote, kuwajaribu wale wote wanaoishi katika nchi.

Because you have paid attention to the message to endure patiently [when you suffered], I will keep you [safe from those who will try to harm you spiritually] during the period/time that is about to come. At that time [God will cause rebellious people] on the earth to suffer, in order that I can determine [whether they will turn away from their sins or not].

11 Naja upesi. Shikilia sana kile ulichonacho ili asiwepo mtu wa kuitwaa taji yako.

I am coming soon. [So] continue believe firmly the [message] that you have received, in order that no one may cause you to lose the reward [that God has reserved for] you.

12 Nitamfanya yeye ashindaye kuwa nguzo katika hekalu la Mungu wangu, na hatatoka nje kamwe. Nitaliandika kwake jina la Mungu wangu, jina la mji wa Mungu wangu (Yerusalemu mpya, ushukao chini toka mbinguni kwa Mungu wangu), na jina langu jipya.

I will make everyone who conquers [Satan secure]. They will stand in the temple of my God, [they will stand firm like] [MET] pillars, and they will remain there forever. I will mark them with the name of my God, [showing that they belong to him. I will also mark them] with the name of the city of my God, [showing that they will live there. That city is] the New Jerusalem, the city that my God will cause to descend down from heaven. [I will also mark them] with my new name, [showing that they belong to me].

13 Yeye aliye na sikio, na asikie ambacho Roho anasema kwa makanisa.'

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”

14 “Kwa malaika wa kanisa la Laodikia andika: 'Maneno yake aliye Amina, wakutegemewa na shahidi mwaminifu, mtawala juu ya uumbaji wa Mungu.

“Write [this message] to the leader [MET] of the congregation in Laodicea [city: ‘I] am saying these things [to you. I am] the one who (guarantees [everything that God’s promises/] that [he] will do [all that he has promised]) [MET]. I am the one who testifies [about God] reliably and accurately. I am the one who God used to create [everything].

15 Najua ambacho umefanya, na kwamba wewe si baridi wala moto, natamani kwamba ungekuwa wa baridi au moto!

I know everything that you have done: You [neither deny that you trust in me nor love/obey me zealously/wholeheartedly. You are like water that is] neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot!

16 Hivyo, kwa sababu wewe ni vuguvugu, si moto wala baridi, nitakutapika utoke kinywani mwangu.

Because you are neither enthusiastic about me nor concerned about your lack of spiritual growth [MET], I am about to [reject] you [MET], [as if] I were spitting [lukewarm water] out of my mouth.

17 Kwa kuwa unasema, “Mimi ni tajiri, nimekuwa na mali nyingi, na sihitaji chochote.” Lakini hujui kwamba wewe ni duni sana, wakuhuzunikiwa, maskini, kipofu na uchi.

You are saying, “[Because we have all that we need spiritually], we are [like] rich [people who] have acquired a lot of wealth. We lack nothing!” But you do not realize that you are [lacking in so many ways spiritually that you are like] [MET] people who are very wretched and pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

18 Sikiliza ushauri kwangu: Nunua kwangu dhahabu iliyosafishwa kwa moto ili upate kuwa tajiri, na nguo nyeupe za kumetameta ili ujivike mwenyewe na usioneshe aibu ya uchi wako, na mafuta ya kupaka katika macho yako upate kuona.

I advise you [to obtain from me all that you need spiritually, as though you were] buying from me gold that has been refined by fire {that fire has refined}, in order that you may be [truly] rich [MET] [spiritually. Let me make you righteous, as though you were] [MET] buying from me white garments in order that you might wear clothes instead of being naked and ashamed. [Let me help you to perceive spiritual things, as though] [MET] you were buying from me eye salve to put in your eyes in order that you might see.

19 Kila nimpendaye, namwelekeza na kuwafundisha namna iwapasavyo kuishi; kwa hiyo, kuwa mkweli na kutubu.

[Since] I rebuke and correct all those whom I affectionately love, earnestly stop your sinful behavior.

20 Tazama nasimama katika mlango na kubisha. Yeyote asikiaye sauti yangu na kufungua mlango, nitakuja na kuingia nyumbani kwake, na kula chakula naye na yeye pamoja nami.

Be aware that [I invite each one of you to respond to me] as though [MET] I [was] standing [waiting] at [your] door and knocking. I will come to all those who hear my voice and respond to me, and I [will fellowship] with them [as friends do when they] eat together [MET].

21 Yeye ashindaye, nitampa haki ya kukaa chini pamoja nami juu ya kiti changu cha enzi, kama vile mimi nilivyoshinda na kukaa chini pamoja na Baba yangu juu ya kiti chake cha enzi.

I will permit everyone who conquers [Satan] to sit [and rule] with me on my throne, just like I conquered [Satan] and now sit [and rule] beside my Father on his throne.

22 Yeye aliye na sikio, na asikilize ambacho Roho ayaambia makanisa.”

Everyone who wants to understand [MTY] must listen carefully to the message that [God’s] Spirit speaks to the congregations.’”