Maagizo Kwa Timotheo

Roho anasema wazi wazi kwamba katika siku za mwisho watu wengine wataiacha imani yao na kusikiliza roho za udanganyifu na mafundisho ya mashetani. Mafundisho hayo yanaletwa na wanafiki waongo ambao dhamiri zao zimekufa kama vile zimechomwa kwa chuma cha moto. Wao wanawazuia watu kuoa; na wanawaamrisha watu wasile vyakula vya aina fulani - ambavyo Mungu aliviumba vipoke lewe kwa shukrani na wale wanaoamini na waliopata kuijua kweli. Kwa maana kila kitu alichokiumba Mungu ni chema wala kitu cho chote kisikataliwe kama kinapokelewa kwa shukrani, maana kina takaswa kwa neno la Mungu na kwa sala.

Mtumishi Mwema Wa Kristo

Ukiwapa ndugu mafundisho haya, utakuwa mtumishi mwema wa Kristo Yesu ambaye amelishwa vema kwa maneno ya imani na yale mafundisho mema uliyoyafuata. Usijishughulishe kabisa na hadithi zisizo za kidini ambazo hazina maana. Jizoeze kuishi kwa kumcha Mungu. Maana japokuwa mazoezi ya mwili yana faida kiasi, kumcha Mungu kuna faida kwa kila hali, kwa sababu kumcha Mungu kuna faida kwa maisha ya sasa na maisha yajayo.

Neno hili ni la kweli na linastahili kupokelewa, 10 na kwa ajili yake sisi tunajitahidi na kutaabika, kwamba tumeweka tumaini letu kwa Mungu aliye hai, ambaye ni Mwokozi wa watu wote, hasa wale waaminio.

11 Agiza na kufundisha mambo haya. 12 Mtu asikudharau kwa kuwa wewe ni kijana, bali uwe mfano mwema kwa waamini wote kwa maneno yako, kwa mwenendo wako, katika upendo, imani na usafi.

13 Mpaka hapo nitakapokuja, tumia wakati wako katika kusoma Maandiko hadharani, kuhubiri, na kufundisha. 14 Usiache kutumia kipawa ulichonacho, ambacho ulipewa kwa neno la unabii wakati wazee wa kanisa walipokuwekea mikono. 15 Tekeleza mambo haya. Tumia nguvu zako na wakati wako kuyatimiza ili watu wote waone maendeleo yako.

16 Jilinde sana, na utunze mafundisho yako. Yashikilie, maana kwa kufanya hivyo utajiokoa wewe mwenyewe na wale wanaoku sikiliza.

The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R) This is a trustworthy saying(S) that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,(T) who is the Savior of all people,(U) and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things.(V) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you(W) because you are young, but set an example(X) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith(Y) and in purity. 13 Until I come,(Z) devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,(AA) to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy(AB) when the body of elders(AC) laid their hands on you.(AD)

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save(AE) both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.