Bwana Atakuja Ghafla

Basi, ndugu wapendwa, hatuna haja ya kuwaandikieni kuhusu nyakati na tarehe atakayokuja Bwana, kwa maana mnajua wazi kwamba siku ya Bwana itakuja kama mwizi anavyokuja usiku. Wakati watu bado wanasema, “Kuna amani na usalama’

Bali ninyi, ndugu wapendwa, hamko gizani kuhusu mambo haya hata siku ile iwashtue kama mwizi. Ninyi nyote ni wana wa nuru, wana wa mchana. Sisi sio watu wa giza au wa usiku. Kwa hiyo basi, tusiwe kama baadhi ya watu wengine, waliolala, bali tukeshe na kuwa na kiasi. Maana wale wanaolala hulala usiku, na wale wanaolewa hulewa usiku. Lakini kwa kuwa sisi ni watu wa mchana, basi tuwe na kiasi, tukivaa imani na upendo kama kinga ya kifuani na kuvaa tumaini letu la wokovu kama kofia ya chuma. Maana Mungu hakutuchagua ili tupate ghadhabu yake bali tupate wokovu kwa njia ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo. 10 Yeye alitufia ili kama tuko hai au hata kama tumekufa, tuishi pamoja naye. 11 Kwa hiyo farijianeni na kujengana kama mnavyofanya sasa.

Maagizo Ya Mwisho Na Salamu

12 Sasa tunawaomba, ndugu wapendwa, muwaheshimu wale wanaofanya kazi kwa bidii miongoni mwenu; ambao wana mamlaka juu yenu katika Bwana na ambao wanawaonya. 13 Wapeni heshima kubwa na kuwapenda kwa ajili ya kazi yao. Ishini kwa amani kati yenu. 14 Na tunawasihi, ndugu wapendwa, muwaonye wale walio wavivu, watieni moyo walio waoga, wasaidieni walio dhaifu na muwe na subira na kila mtu. 15 Hakikisheni kuwa mtu hamlipi mwenzake ovu kwa ovu bali daima jitahidini kutendeana wema ninyi kwa ninyi na watu wengine wote.

16 Furahini wakati wote, 17 ombeni pasipo kukoma, 18 shu kuruni katika kila hali; kwa maana haya ndiyo mapenzi ya Mungu kwa ajili yenu mkiwa ndani ya Kristo Yesu. 19 Msiuzime moto wa Roho Mtakatifu; 20 msidharau unabii. 21 Pimeni kila kitu. Yash ikeni kwa makini yaliyo mema. 22 Epukeni uovu wa kila namna.

23 Mungu mwenyewe, Mungu wa amani, awatakase kabisa. Roho zenu, nafsi zenu na miili yenu na ihifadhiwe bila kuwa na lawama kwa wakati atakapokuja Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo. 24 Yeye aliyew aita ni mwaminifu naye atafanya haya.

25 Ndugu wapendwa, tuombeeni. 26 Wasalimieni ndugu wote kwa busu takatifu. 27 Nawaagizeni mbele za Bwana mhakikishe kuwa ndugu wote wanasomewa barua hii.

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates(A) we do not need to write to you,(B) for you know very well that the day of the Lord(C) will come like a thief in the night.(D) While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.(G)

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(I) You are all children of the light(J) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(K) but let us be awake(L) and sober.(M) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(N) But since we belong to the day,(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(P) and the hope of salvation(Q) as a helmet.(R) For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(T) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(U) 11 Therefore encourage one another(V) and build each other up,(W) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(X) among you, who care for you in the Lord(Y) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(Z) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(AA) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(AB) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(AC) but always strive to do what is good for each other(AD) and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,(AE) 17 pray continually,(AF) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(AG) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(AH) 20 Do not treat prophecies(AI) with contempt 21 but test them all;(AJ) hold on to what is good,(AK) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace,(AL) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(AM) and body be kept blameless(AN) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(AO) 24 The one who calls(AP) you is faithful,(AQ) and he will do it.(AR)

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(AS) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(AT) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(AU)

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.(AV)