INCWADI EYA KWEBEROMA

1 UPowula inceku kaKrestu Jesu owabizwa bona abe mpostoli, okhethelwe* iindaba ezimnandi zakaZimu,+ 2 azithembisa ngaphambi kwesikhathi ngabaphorofidi bakhe emiTlolweni ecwengileko, 3 ezimalungana neNdodanakhe, eyabelethwa ephasini esizukulwaneni sakaDavida,+ 4 leyo ngamandla okwathiwa iyiNdodana kaZimu+ ngommoya ocwengileko nayivuswa kwabafileko+ iKosethu, uJesu Krestu. 5 Ngaye sifumene umusa omkhulu nobupostoli+ ngomnqopho wokulalela ngokukholwa hlangana nazo zoke iintjhaba+ ngokuphathelene negama lakhe, 6 hlangana neentjhaba nani enibizwe kizo bona nibe ngebakaJesu Krestu, 7 kibo boke abaseRoma abathandwa nguZimu, ababizwe bona babe ngabacwengileko:

Kwanga ningaba nomusa omkhulu nokuthula okuvela kuZimu uBabethu neKosini uJesu Krestu.

8 Kokuthoma, ngithokoza uZimami ngoJesu Krestu ngokuphathelene nani noke ngombana ukukholwa kwenu kukhulunywa ngakho ephasini loke. 9 UZimu engimlotjha ngommoyami woke ngokuphathelene neendaba ezimnandi zeNdodanakhe, ungufakazami wokuthi ngihlala ngikhuluma ngani qobe emithandazwenami,+ 10 ngimrabhela bona nakungakghoneka nje ngiphumelele ukuza kini nangabe lokho kuyintando kaZimu. 11 Ngombana ngilulukela ukunibona ukuthi ngidlulisele kini isibusiso esivela kuZimu bona niqiniswe 12 namkha bona sizokukhuthazana+ ngokukholwa komunye nomunye, kokubili kwenu nokwami.

13 Kodwana bafowethu, angifuni ukunifihlela ukuthi sekumahlandla amanengi ngifuna ukuza kini kodwana bengisolo ngivinjwa bekube nje bona ngifumane iinthelo naphakathi kwenu njengombana ngenzile hlangana nezinye iintjhaba. 14 Nginesikolodo kokubili emaGirigini nakwabangasimaGirigi, kokubili kwabahlakaniphileko nakilabo abanganangqondo; 15 nje-ke nginetjisakalo yokumemezela iindaba ezimnandi nakini lapho eRoma.+ 16 Ngombana anginanhloni ngeendaba ezimnandi;+ kuhlekuhle, zimamandla kaZimu wokusindisa kiwo woke umuntu okholwako,+ kumJuda qangi+ bese kulandele umGirigi.+ 17 Ngombana kizo ukulunga kwakaZimu kwembulwa ngebanga lokukholwa komuntu begodu lokhu kwandisa ukukholwa+ kwakhe njengombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “Olungileko uzokuphila ngebanga lokukholwa.”+

18 Ilaka+ lakaZimu liyembulwa livela ezulwini ngokujamelene nakho koke ukungahloniphi uZimu nokungalungi kwabantu abafihla iqiniso+ bona lingaziwa 19 ngebanga lokuthi okwaziwako ngoZimu kuyakhanya kibo, uZimu ubavezele khona.+ 20 Ngombana ubuntu bakhe obungabonakaliko bubonakala kusukela ekudalweni kwephasi kuye phambili, bubonakala ngezinto ezenziweko,+ ngitjho namandlakhe+ angapheliko nobuZimu bakhe,+ kangangobana angeze baphika. 21 Ngitjho nanyana bebamazi uZimu, azange bamdumise njengoZimu begodu azange bamthokoze kodwana ukucabanga kwabo kube budlhadlha neenhliziyo zabo ezingazwisisiko zibe mnyama.+ 22 Nanyana bazitjela ukuthi bahlakaniphile, babe ziindlhadlha, 23 batjhugulula idumo lakaZimu ongabhubhiko balenza into enjengesithombe somuntu obhubhako, seenyoni, seendalwa ezineenyawo ezine neseenlwana ezirhurhubako.+

24 Yeke uZimu, ngokuvumelana neenkanuko zeenhliziyo zabo, wabanikela ekusilaphazekeni, bona imizimbabo ihlaziseke hlangana nabo. 25 Bakhetha ukukholelwa amanga kuneqiniso lakaZimu, balotjha indalo kunokulotjha uMdali, odunyiswa bekube ngokungapheliko. Amen. 26 Kungakho uZimu abahloboka, wabalisela eenkanukweni zomseme ezinyenyisako+ ngombana abafazi bakhona batjhugulule ukusetjenziswa kwabo kwemvelo benza okuphambene nemvelo;+ 27 ngokufanako namadoda alisa ukusetjenziswa okungokwemvelo komfazi avutha ngokukhanukelana wodwa, amadoda namadoda,+ enza izinto ezinyenyisako begodu afumana isijeziso esipheleleko,* esifanele umtjhaphwawo.+

28 Njengombana bangakhenge bakubone kufaneleka ukwazi uZimu, uZimu wabanikela emikhumbulweni engakalungi bona benze izinto ezingafaneleki.+ 29 Bazaliswa ngakho koke ukungalungi,+ ukukhohlakala, ukuba marhamaru+ nobumbi; bazele umona,+ ukubulala,+ ukungazwani, ukukhohlisa,+ ihloyo,+ babahlebi, 30 bakhuluma abanye kumbi,+ bahloya uZimu, bahlaza, bayazikhakhazisa, bayazibona, barera okulimazako, abalaleli ababelethi,+ 31 baziindlhadlha,+ abaphethi iimvumelwano, abanalo ithando lemvelo begodu abanamusa. 32 Ngitjho nanyana laba bawazi kuhle umyalo olungileko kaZimu, othi labo abaphila ngokwenza izintwezi bafanelwe kukufa+ abagcini ngokuthi barage nokuzenza kodwana bamukela nalabo abaphila ngokuzenza.

2 Nje-ke wena muntu awunalo ibanga lokuphika nanyana ungaba ngubani,+ nangabe uyahlulela, uzahlulela wena ngombana wena owahlulelako uphila ngokwenza izinto ezifanako.+ 2 Nje-ke siyazi ukuthi isahlulelo sakaZimu sivumelana neqiniso, ngokujamelene nalabo abaphila ngokwenza izinto ezinjalo.

3 Kodwana wena muntu, ucabanga ukuthi nawahlulela abaphila ngezinto ezinjalo khisibe nawe uyazenza, uzokuphunyurha esahlulelweni sakaZimu na? 4 Namkha udelela ukunotha komusakhe,+ ukukghodlhelela,+ nesineke+ sakhe ngombana awazi ukuthi uZimu ngomusakhe ulinga ukukudosela ekutjhugulukeni+ na? 5 Kodwana malungana nokuba nekani kwakho nehliziyo engatjhugulukiko, uzibizela ilaka ngelanga lelaka nelokwambulwa kwesahlulelo+ sokulunga sakaZimu. 6 Uzokunikela ngamunye umvuzo ngokuya ngemisebenzakhe:+ 7 ukuphila okungapheliko kilabo abafuna idumo, ihlonipho nokungonakali+ ngokukghodlhelela emsebenzini olungileko 8 nanyana kunjalo, labo ababanga iimpikiswano nabangalaleli iqiniso kodwana balalela ukungalungi, bazokuqalana nelaka nokusilingeka.+ 9 Kuzokuba nesizi nokugandeleleka emuntwini ngamunye owenza okulimazako, kumJuda qangi bese kulandele umGirigi 10 kodwana idumo, ihlonipho nokuthula kibo boke abenza okulungileko, kumJuda qangi+ bese kulandele umGirigi.+ 11 Ngombana uZimu akakhethi.+

12 Boke abone ngaphandle komthetho nabo bazokutjhatjalaliswa ngaphandle komthetho+ kodwana boke abone ngaphasi komthetho bazokwahlulelwa ngomthetho.+ 13 Yeke abezwa umthetho akuthiwa balungile phambi kwakaZimu kodwana abenza lokho okutjhiwo mthetho kuzokuthiwa balungile.+ 14 Ngombana abantu beentjhaba abanganawo umthetho+ nabenza ngokwemvelo izinto zomthetho, abantwaba nanyana banganamthetho, batjengisa bona banomthetho ngaphakathi. 15 Ngibo abatjengisa ukuthi umongo womthetho utloliwe eenhliziyweni zabo, kukulapho unembezabo ufakazelana nabo nemicabangwabo bona banomlandu namkha abanawo. 16 Lokho kuzokwenzeka ngelanga uZimu azokwahlulela ngalo ngoKrestu Jesu izinto ezifihlakeleko zabantu,+ ngokuvumelana neendaba ezimnandi engizitjhumayelako.

17 Nje-ke, nangabe umJuda ngegama,+ uthembele emthethweni, uyazikhakhazisa ngoZimu, 18 uyayazi intandwakhe, wamukela izinto ezihle khulu ngombana ufundiswe ngomThetho,+ 19 uyaqiniseka ukuthi umnqophisi wabaphopheleko, umkhanyo wabasebumnyameni, 20 umlungisi wabanganangqondo, umfundisi wabantwana abancani begodu unomtlamo welwazi neqiniso lomThetho 21 nanyana kunjalo, inga-kghani wena ofundisa omunye, awuzifundisi na?+ Wena, otjhumayela uthi, “Ungebi,”+ uyeba na? 22 Wena, othi, “Ungafebi,”*+ uyafeba na? Wena, onyenya iinthombe, udlelezela amathempeli na? 23 Wena ozikhakhazisa ngomthetho, uhlazisa uZimu ngokweqa kwakho umThetho na? 24 Ngombana “igama lakaZimu liyahlanjalazwa hlangana neentjhaba ngebanga lenu” njengombana kutloliwe.+

25 Kuhlekuhle, ukusoka+ kuzuzisa kwaphela nangabe uphila ngomthetho+ kodwana nangabe usiseqamthetho, ukusoka kwakho kube kungasoki. 26 Nje-ke nangabe umuntu ongakasoki+ uphetha iimfuneko ezilungileko zomThetho, ukungasoki kwakhe kuzokubalwa njengokusoka, akusinjalo?+ 27 Umuntu ongakasoki enyameni, ngokuthobela kwakhe umThetho, uzokwahlulela njengeseqamthetho naphezu kokuthi wena unomthetho otloliweko begodu usokiwe. 28 Ngombana akasimJuda anguye ngaphandle+ nokusoka kwakhe akusiyinto engaphandle, enyameni.+ 29 Kodwana ungumJuda anguye ngaphakathi+ nokusoka kwakhe ngokwehliziyo+ ngommoya ingasi ngomthetho otloliweko.+ Idumo lomuntu loyo livela kuZimu, ingasi ebantwini.+

3 Alo-ke kungcono ngani ukuba mJuda namkha kuzuzisa ngani ukusoka? 2 Kusiza khulu ngazo zoke iindlela. Kokuthoma, amaJuda aphathiswa iimemezelo ezicwengileko zakaZimu.+ 3 Alo kungathiwani ngamaJuda angakhenge akholwe? Nangabe abanye akhenge bakholwe, ukungakholwa kwabo kuzokwenza abantu bangasamthemba na uZimu? 4 Awa angeze! Kodwana uZimu akafunyanwe aneqiniso,+ ngitjho nanyana woke umuntu angafunyanwa amleyimala+ njengombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Bona ufunyanwe ulungile emezwinakho begodu uthumbe nawahlulelwako.”+ 5 Nangabe ukungalungi kwethu kuphakamisa ukulunga kwakaZimu, alo-ke sizokuthini? Kghani uZimu akanabulungiswa nakaveza ilaka lakhe? (Ngikhuluma ngendlela abantu abakhuluma ngayo.) 6 Awa akusinjalo! Nangabe bekunjalo uZimu bekazolahlulela njani iphasi?+

7 Nangabe ngokuleya kwami amala iqiniso lakaZimu lenziwe laba semtarini khulu begodu wadunyiswa, kubayini nami ngahlulelwa njengesoni? 8 Begodu kubayini singatjho njengabanye abantu abasirhwayela bathi sithi, “Asenzeni izinto ezimbi bona kuvele izinto ezihle”? Isahlulelo esikhutjhelwe abantwaba sivumelana nobulungiswa.+

9 Alo-ke sizokuthini? Kghani singcono kunabanye? Awa akusinjalo! Ngombana ngaphambilini simangalele amaJuda namaGirigi ngokuthi boke bangaphasi kwesono+ 10 njengombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Akakho umuntu olungileko, akakho ngitjho namunye;+ 11 akakho onelemuko; akakho ofuna uZimu. 12 Boke abantu baphambukile, boke babe lilize; akakho onomusa, akakho ngitjho noyedwa tere.”+ 13 “Imiphimbabo ilithuna elivulekileko; bakhohlisile ngamalimabo.”+ “Itjhefu yeenyoka isemilonyenabo.”+ 14 “Nemilomabo izele ukuthukana nobumunyu.”+ 15 “Iinyawo zabo zimsinyana ekuphalazeni iingazi.”+ 16 “Iindlela zabo ziyatjhabalalisa begodu zibanga isizi, 17 akhenge bayazi indlela yokuthula.”+ 18 “Akukho ukusaba uZimu phambi kwamehlwabo.”+

19 Nje-ke siyazi ukuthi zoke izinto ezitjhiwo mThetho, ziqaliselwe kilabo abangaphasi komThetho bona yoke imilomo ithuliswe nephasi loke libe ngaphasi kwesijeziso sakaZimu.+ 20 Yeke akakho okuzokuthiwa ulungile kuye ngemisebenzi yomthetho+ ngombana ngomthetho kuza ilwazi elinembileko ngesono.+

21 Kodwana nje ngaphandle komthetho ukulunga kwakaZimu kwambuliwe+ njengombana umThetho nabaPhorofidi kunikela ubufakazi,+ 22 iye, ukulunga kwakaZimu ngokukholwa kuJesu Krestu, kibo boke abakholwako, akunamehluko.+ 23 Ngombana boke bonile, bayabhalelwa kutjengisa iphazimulo kaZimu,+ 24 begodu kunjengesipho sesihle+ bona kuthiwe balungile ngomusakhe omkhulu,+ ngokutjhatjhululwa ngesihlengo esibhadelwe nguKrestu Jesu.+ 25 UZimu wanikela ngaye njengomhlatjelo bona abantu babuyisane+ naye ngokukholwa eengazini zakhe.+ Wenza lokhu ukutjengisa ukulunga kwakhe ngombana uZimu ngokukghodlhelela kwakhe bekalibalela izono ezenzeka esikhathini esidlulileko. 26 Ngalokhu bekatjengisa ukulunga+ kwakhe esikhathini sanjesi bona afumaneke alungile ngitjho nalokha athi umuntu okholwa kuJesu+ ulungile.

27 Alo-ke kuphi ukuzikhakhazisa? Akukho. Ngamuphi umthetho? Wemisebenzi?+ Awa kodwana ngomthetho wokukholwa. 28 Ngombana sithi umuntu kuthiwa ulungile ngokukholwa, ngaphandle kwemisebenzi yomthetho.+ 29 Kghani unguZimu wamaJuda kwaphela?+ AkasinanguZimu wabantu beentjhaba na?+ Iye godu unguZimu wabantu beentjhaba.+ 30 Njengombana uZimu amunye,+ uzokuthi abantu abasokileko balungile+ ngebanga lokukholwa nabantu abangakasoki kuthiwe balungile+ ngokukholwa kwabo. 31 Alo-ke siyawuphelisa umthetho ngokukholwa kwethu? Awa akusinjalo! Kunalokho, siyawusekela umthetho.+

4 Alo-ke, sizakuthi khuyini eyazuzwa ngu-Abrahama, ukhokhwethu? 2 Ngokwesibonelo, ngathana u-Abrahama kwathiwa ulungile ngebanga lemisebenzi, bekazokuba nesizathu sokuzikhakhazisa kodwana ingasi kuZimu. 3 Ngombana ithini imitlolo? “U-Abrahama wakholwa kuJehova,* waqalwa njengolungileko.”+ 4 Nje-ke emuntwini osebenzako, umrholwakhe awuqalwa njengomusa omkhulu kodwana njengento akolodwa yona. 5 Ngakwelinye ihlangothi, emuntwini ongathembeli emisebenzinakhe kodwana okholwa kuZimu othi isoni silungile, ukukholwa kwakhe kuqalwa njengokulunga.+ 6 Njengombana noDavida akhuluma ngokuthaba komuntu uZimu amqala njengolungileko ngaphandle kwemisebenzi: 7 “Bayathaba labo izenzo zabo zokweqa umthetho ezilitjalelweko nezono zabo ezigutjuzesiweko;* 8 uyathaba umuntu uJehova* angekhe ambalele isono sakhe.”+

9 Alo-ke kuthaba abantu abasokileko kwaphela namkha kuthaba nabantu abangakasoki?+ Ngombana sithi: “Ukukholwa kwaka-Abrahama kwamenza olungileko.”+ 10 Alo-ke kwathiwa ulungile ngaphasi kwabuphi ubujamo? Ngesikhathi asokile namkha angakasoki? Bekangakasoki. 11 Wafumana itshwayo+ okutjho, ukusoka njengesiqinisekiso sokulunga ngokukholwa ebekanakho ngesikhathi angakasoki bona abe nguyise wabo boke abakholwa+ bangakasoki ukuthi nabo kuthiwe balungile 12 nokuthi abe nguyise wabantwana abasokileko, ingasi kwabanamathela ekusokeni kwaphela kodwana nalabo abakhamba ngokuhleleka emtlhaleni wokukholwa ubabethu u-Abrahama+ ebekanakho ngesikhathi angakasoki.

13 Ngombana isithembiso sokuthi uzokuba yindlalifa yephasi+ azange size ku-Abrahama namkha ebantwaneni bakhe* ngomthetho kodwana ngokulunga okuza ngokukholwa.+ 14 Ngombana nangabe labo abanamathela emthethweni baziindlalifa, ukukholwa akusanamsebenzi nesithembiso sisuliwe. 15 Eqinisweni umThetho uveza ilaka+ kodwana lapho kunganamthetho khona, akukho nokweqa umthetho.+

16 U-Abrahama wafumana isithembiso sokuba yindlalifa ngebanga lokukholwa begodu kwaba kubonakaliswa komusa kaZimu omkhulu+ ngombana isithembiso besingebanga lokukholwa bona isithembiso sizaliseke kiso soke isizukulwana* sakhe,+ ingasi kilabo abanamathela emThethweni kwaphela kodwana nakilabo abanamathela ekukholweni kwaka-Abrahama, ubabethu soke.+ 17 (Lokhu kunjengombana kutloliwe: “Ngikukhethe bona ube nguyise weentjhaba ezinengi.”)+ Lokhu bekuphambi kwakaZimu, obekakholwa kuye, owenza abafileko baphile begodu abize izinto ezingekho njengokungathi zikhona.* 18 Nanyana bekunganabanga lethemba kodwana ngokusekelwe ethembeni, wakholwa ukuthi uzokuba nguyise weentjhaba ezinengi ngokuvumelana nalokho okwatjhiwo: “Zizokuba njalo-ke iinzukulwana zakho.”+ 19 Nanyana angazange abogaboge ekukholweni kwakhe, wacabanga ngomzimbakhe, ebesele unjengofileko (njengombana bekaneminyaka eli-100 ubudala)+ nokufa kwesibeletho* sakaSara.+ 20 Ngebanga lesithembiso sakaZimu, azange azaze ngokungabi nokukholwa kodwana waba namandla ekukholweni kwakhe, adumisa uZimu 21 begodu aqiniseka kwamambala ukuthi lokho uZimu akuthembisileko uyakghona nokukwenza.+ 22 Ngalokho-ke, “waqalwa njengolungileko.”+

23 Nanyana kunjalo, amezwi athi “ulungile” azange atlolwe ngebanga lakhe kwaphela+ 24 kodwana nangebanga lethu, kuzokuthiwa silungile ngombana sikholelwa kuye ovuse uJesu iKosethu kwabafileko.+ 25 Wanikelwa ngebanga lemitjhaphwethu+ begodu wavuswa bona kuthiwe silungile.+

5 Nje-ke njengombana kuthiwa silungile ngebanga lokukholwa,+ asithabeleni ukuthula* noZimu ngeKosethu uJesu Krestu+ 2 godu ngaye sifumene ilungelo lokungena ngokukholwa emuseni omkhulu esijame kiwo+ lo begodu asithabeni,* ngesisekelo sethemba lephazimulo kaZimu. 3 Ingasi lokho kwaphela kodwana asithabeni* nalokha nasisesizini+ njengombana sazi ukuthi isizi liveza ukukghodlhelela;+ 4 ukukghodlhelela kuveza ubujamo obamukelekako;+ ubujamo obamukelekako buveza ithemba,+ 5 ithemba lona alidanisi+ ngombana ithando lakaZimu lithululelwe eenhliziyweni zethu ngommoya ocwengileko esanikelwa wona.+

6 Ngombana eqinisweni, kwathi sisabogaboga,+ uKrestu wafela abantu abangakalungi ngesikhathi esibekiweko. 7 Ngombana akukajayeleki ukuthi umuntu afele umuntu olungileko; mhlamunye malungana nomuntu owenza izinto ezilungileko angaba nesibindi sokumfela. 8 Kodwana uZimu utjengisa ithando lakhe kithi ngokuthi ngesikhathi sisesezizoni, uKrestu wasifela.+ 9 Khulukhulu njengombana kuthiwe sesilungile ngeengazi zakhe,+ sizokusindiswa ngaye elakeni+ lakaZimu. 10 Ngombana ngesikhathi sisesemanaba sabuyisana noZimu ngokufa kweNdodanakhe,+ yeke sizokusindiswa kangangani-ke ngokuphila kwayo njengombana sesibuyisene naye. 11 Ingasi lokho kwaphela kodwana nokuthi siyathaba kuZimu ngeKosethu uJesu Krestu, esele sifumene ukubuyisana+ ngayo.

12 Njengombana isono sangena ephasini ngomuntu munye nokufa kwangena ngesono,+ yeke ukufa kwarhatjhekela kibo boke abantu ngombana boke bonile.+ 13 Ngombana isono besisephasini ngaphambi komThetho kodwana umuntu akabekwa umlandu wesono nakunganamthetho.+ 14 Ngaphandle kwalokho, ukufa kwabusa njengekosi kusukela ku-Adamu kwehla bekwaba kuMosi nakilabo ebebangakoni ngendlela u-Adamu one ngayo, u-Adamu bekafana naloyo ozako.+

15 Kodwana isipho asifani nokweqa umthetho. Ngombana ngokuthi umuntu munye eqe umthetho, abanengi bafa kodwana waphuphuma kangangani-ke kwabanengi+ umusa omkhulu kaZimu nesipho sakhe sesihle, umusa omkhulu womuntu munye,+ uJesu Krestu! 16 Godu kunomehluko phakathi kwesipho sesihle nendlela izinto ezenzeka ngayo ngomuntu munye owonako.+ Ngombana isahlulelo sangemva kokweqa kanye umthetho kwaba kulahlwa+ kodwana isipho sangemva kokweqiwa kwemithetho eminengi kwaba simemezelo sokulunga.+ 17 Ngombana ngokweqa umthetho komuntu munye ukufa kwabusa njengekosi ngaye,+ bazokubusa njengamakhosi+ kangangani-ke labo abafumana inala yomusa omkhulu nesipho sesihle sokulunga+ ekuphileni ngomuntu munye, uJesu Krestu!+

18 Nje-ke ngokweqa kanye umthetho umphumela ebantwini bayo yoke imihlobo kube kulahlwa,+ ngokufanako ngesenzo sinye sokulunga umphumela ebantwini bayo yoke imihlobo+ kukobana kuthiwe balungile bona baphile.+ 19 Njengombana ngokungalaleli komuntu munye abanengi benziwa izoni+ godu ngokulalela komuntu munye abanengi bazokwenziwa abalungileko.+ 20 Nje-ke umThetho ngokukhamba kwesikhathi waba khona bona ukweqiwa komthetho kwande.+ Kodwana isono nasandako, umusa omkhulu wanda ngokungeziweko. 21 Ngamuphi umnqopho? Bona njengombana isono sabusa njengekosi sikunye nokufa+ godu umusa omkhulu ungabusa njengekosi ngokulunga okusa ekuphileni okungapheliko ngoJesu Krestu iKosethu.+

6 Alo-ke sizokuthini? Kghani kufuze siragele phambili esonweni khona umusa omkhulu uzakwanda? 2 Awa! Njengombana singasalawulwa sisono,+ singaragela njani phambili siphila kiso?+ 3 Namkha anazi na bona soke esibhajadiselwe kuKrestu Jesu,+ sabhajadiselwa ekufeni kwakhe?+ 4 Sabulungwa naye ngokubhajadiselwa ekufeni kwakhe+ bona njengombana uKrestu avuswa kwabafileko ngephazimulo kaBaba, nathi kufuze sikhambe epilweni etja.+ 5 Nangabe sibe munye naye ekufeni okufana nekwakhe,+ ngokuqinisekileko sizokuba munye naye ekuvusweni okufana nekwakhe.+ 6 Ngombana siyazi ukuthi ubuntu bethu obudala babethelwa naye esigodweni+ bona umzimbethu onesono wenziwe ungabi namandla,+ bona singasarageli phambili siba ziingqila zesono.+ 7 Ngombana ofileko utjhatjhululiwe* esonweni sakhe.

8 Ngalokho, nasife noKrestu, siyakholwa bona sizokuphila naye godu. 9 Ngombana siyazi ukuthi uKrestu, ngebanga lokuthi nje uvusiwe kwabafileko+ angekhe asafa;+ ukufa akuseseyikosi kuye. 10 Ngombana ukufa akufako, wakufa ngebanga lesono* kwaba kanye kwaphela+ kodwana nje ukuphila akuphilako, ukuphila bona enze intando kaZimu. 11 Nani ngokufanako, ningasalawulwa sisono kodwana niphilele ukwenza intando kaZimu ngoKrestu Jesu.+

12 Yeke ningavumeli isono siragele phambili sibusa njengekosi emizimbenenu efako+ bona nilalele iinkanuko zayo. 13 Ningarageli phambili ninikela imizimbenu esonweni njengeenkhali zokungalungi kodwana zinikeleni kuZimu njengalabo abaphilako bavela kwabafileko, ninikele nemizimbenu kuZimu njengeenkhali zokulunga.+ 14 Ngombana isono akukafuzi sibe yikosi phezu kwenu njengombana ningasi ngaphasi komthetho+ kodwana ningaphasi komusa omkhulu.+

15 Kulandelani? Alo kufuze senze isono ngombana singasingaphasi komthetho kodwana singaphasi komusa omkhulu?+ Awa! 16 Anazi na ukuthi nanizinikela kinanyana ngubani bona nibe ziingqila ezilalelako, niziingqila zaloyo enimlalelako,+ kungaba ngezesono+ okurholela ekufeni+ namkha iingqila zokulalela okurholela ekulungeni? 17 Siyamthokoza uZimu ngokuthi nanyana nakhe naba ziingqila zesono, nawulalela ngokusuka ehliziyweni umhlobo wefundiso enanikelwa wona. 18 Njengombana natjhatjhululwa esonweni,+ nibe ziingqila zokulunga.+ 19 Ngikhuluma ngendlela abantu abakhuluma ngayo ngebanga lokubogaboga kwenyamenu njengombana nanikela amalungwenu aba ziingqila zokungahlwengeki nokungabi namthetho okurholela ekungabini namthetho, nje-ke nikelani amalungwenu njengeengqila zokulunga okurholela ekucwengeni.+ 20 Ngesikhathi niziingqila zesono, benitjhaphulukile ekulungeni.

21 Alo-ke, ngisiphi isithelo ebenisiveza ngesikhatheso? Zizinto enineenhloni ngazo nje. Ngombana isiphetho sezintwezo kukufa.+ 22 Nje-ke njengombana nitjhatjhululiwe esonweni naba ziingqila zakaZimu, niveza isithelo senu ngendlela ecwengileko+ begodu isiphetho kuphila okungapheliko.+ 23 Ngombana umrholo wesono kukufa+ kodwana isipho uZimu asinikelako kuphila okungapheliko+ ngoKrestu Jesu iKosethu.+

7 Kghani kungenzeka anazi na bafowethu, (ngombana ngikhuluma nalabo abazi umthetho) ukuthi umThetho uyikosi emuntwini ikani nje nakasaphilako? 2 Ngokwesibonelo, umfazi otjhadileko ubotjhelwe ngokomthetho endodenakhe nayisaphilako kodwana indodakhe nayingahlongakala, utjhaphulukile emthethweni wendodakhe.+ 3 Nje-ke indodakhe nayisaphilako, uzokubizwa ngokuthi sifebe* nakangaba mfazi wenye indoda.+ Kodwana indodakhe nayingahlongakala, utjhaphulukile emthethwenayo, yeke akasisifebe nakangaba mfazi wenye indoda.+

4 Nje-ke bafowethu, nani nabulawa malungana nomThetho ngomzimba kaKrestu bona nibe ngebomunye,+ loyo owavuswa kwabafileko+ bona sithele isithelo kuZimu.+ 5 Ngombana ngesikhathi sisaphila ngokuvumelana nenyama, iinkanuko ezisisono ezavuswa mThetho bezisebenza emizimbenethu bona sithele isithelo sokufa.+ 6 Kodwana nje sitjhatjhululiwe emThethweni+ ngombana sifile kilokho ebekusivimbela, bona sibe ziingqila ngomqondo omutjha ngommoya+ ingasi ngomqondo omdala ngomthetho otloliweko.+

7 Alo-ke sizokuthini? UmThetho usisono? Awa! Kuhlekuhle, bengekhe ngisazi isono ngathana bekunganamThetho.+ Ngokwesibonelo, bengekhe ngikwazi ukuba marhamaru ngathana umThetho bewungakatjho ukuthi: “Ungabi marhamaru.”+ 8 Ngebanga lomyalo, isono safumana ithuba lokuveza kimi ukuba marhamaru kwayo yoke imihlobo ngombana ngaphandle komthetho isono besifile.+ 9 Eqinisweni, khengaphila ngaphandle komthetho. Kodwana umyalo nawufikako, isono saphila godu kodwana mina ngafa.+ 10 Umyalo ebekufuze urholele ekuphileni,+ ngafumana ukuthi urholela ekufeni. 11 Ngebanga lomyalo, isono safumana ithuba lokungiyenga nokungibulala. 12 Yeke umThetho ngokwawo ucwengile nomyalo ucwengile, ulungile begodu muhle.+

13 Yeke, inga-kghani into ehle ibangele ukufa kwami? Awa! Kodwana isono ngiso esikubangeleko bona kutjengiswe ukuthi sisono esibangela ukufa kimi ngalokho okulungileko+ ukwenzela bona ngomyalo isono singaba ngesinesono khulu.+ 14 Ngombana siyazi ukuthi umThetho ngewakaZimu kodwana mina ngingowenyama, ethengiselwe ngaphasi kwesono.+ 15 Angikuzwisisi engikwenzako. Ngebanga lokuthi angiphili ngokwalokho engikufisako kodwana ngenza lokho engikuhloyako. 16 Nangabe ngenza lokho engingakufisiko, ngiyavuma ukuthi umThetho ulungile. 17 Kodwana nje akusesengimi okwenzako, sisono esihlala kimi.+ 18 Ngiyazi ukuthi kimi, ngitjho, enyamenami, akuhlali litho elihle ngombana nginesifiso sokwenza okuhle kodwana angikghoni ukukwenza.+ 19 Ngombana okuhle engifisa ukukwenza angikwenzi kodwana okumbi engingafuni ukukwenza ngikho okumumukghwami. 20 Nje-ke nangabe ngenza lokho engingakufisiko, akusesengimi okwenzako kodwana sisono esihlala kimi.

21 Yeke ngifumana umthetho lo endabenami: Nangifisa ukwenza okulungileko, okumbi sekukhona kimi.+ 22 Ngithaba kwamambala emthethweni kaZimu ngokomuntu enginguye ngaphakathi+ 23 kodwana ngibona emzimbenami omunye umthetho olwisana nomthetho womkhumbulwami+ begodu ungidosela ekubeni sithunjwa somthetho wesono+ esisemzimbenami. 24 Maye! Mina muntu otlhuwisako. Ngubani ozongihlenga emzimbeni oqalene nokufokhu? 25 Ngiyathokoza kuZimu ngoJesu Krestu iKosethu! Nje-ke ngomkhumbulwami ngisigqila somthetho kaZimu kodwana ngenyamami ngisigqila somthetho wesono.+

8 Nje-ke, labo abamunye noKrestu Jesu abanamlandu. 2 Ngombana umthetho wommoya onikela ukuphila ebunyeni noKrestu Jesu unitjhaphululile+ emthethweni wesono newokufa. 3 Lokho umThetho ebewungakghoni ukukwenza+ ngebanga lokuthi bewubogaboga+ enyameni, uZimu ukwenzile ngokuthumela iNdodanakhe+ isebujamweni obufana nenyama enesono+ begodu malungana nesono, yahlulela isono enyameni ngokuthi simlandu 4 bona ifuneko elungileko yomThetho ingazaliseka kithi+ esingakhambi ngokuvumelana nenyama kodwana esikhamba ngokuvumelana nommoya.+ 5 Ngombana labo abaphila ngokuvumelana nenyama badzimelelisa imikhumbulwabo ezintweni zenyama+ kodwana labo abaphila ngokuvumelana nommoya, badzimelelisa imikhumbulwabo ezintweni zommoya.+ 6 Ngombana ukudzimelelisa umkhumbulo enyameni kutjho ukufa+ kodwana ukudzimelelisa umkhumbulo emmoyeni kutjho ukuphila nokuthula;+ 7 ukudzimelelisa umkhumbulo enyameni kutjho ukuba linaba lakaZimu+ ngombana inyama ayiwuthobeli umthetho kaZimu, eqinisweni angekhe yawuthobela. 8 Yeke labo abavumelana nenyama angekhe bamthabisa uZimu.

9 Nanyana kunjalo, nina anivumelani nenyama kodwana nivumelana nommoya,+ nangabe kwamambala ummoya kaZimu uhlala kini. Kodwana nangabe umuntu akanawo ummoya kaKrestu, umuntu loyo akasingewakaKrestu. 10 Kodwana nangabe uKrestu umunye nani,+ umzimba ufile ngebanga lesono kodwana ummoya ukuphila ngebanga lokulunga. 11 Nje-ke, nangabe ummoya waloyo owavusa uJesu kwabafileko uhlala kini, loyo owavusa uKrestu Jesu kwabafileko+ naye uzokwenza imizimbenu efako iphile+ ngommoyakhe ohlala kini.

12 Ngalokho bafowethu, singaphasi kwesibopho kodwana ingasi enyameni bona siphile ngokuvumelana nenyama;+ 13 ngombana naniphila ngokuvumelana nenyama, nizokufa nakanjani kodwana nanibulala imikghwa yomzimba+ ngommoya, nizokuphila.+ 14 Ngombana boke abarholwa mmoya kaZimu kwamambala madodana kaZimu.+ 15 Ngombana akhenge nifumane ummoya wobugqila obangela ukusaba godu kodwana nifumene ummoya wokumbelekelwa njengamadodana, ummoya esirhuwelela ngawo sithi: “Abha,* Baba!”+ 16 Ummoya ngokwawo ufakazelana nommoyethu+ ukuthi sibantwana bakaZimu.+ 17 Nje-ke nangabe sibantwana godu siziindlalifa, kwamambala iindlalifa zakaZimu kodwana iindlalifa+ ezikunye noKrestu, kwaphela nasitlhaga ndawonye+ bona siphazinyuliswe ndawonye.+

18 Ngombana ngicabanga ukuthi imitlhago yesikhathi sanje ayisililitho nayimadaniswa nephazimulo ezokwambulwa kithi.+ 19 Ngombana indalo ilindele ngetjiseko ekulu ukwambulwa kwamadodana kaZimu.+ 20 Ngombana indalo yenziwa yathobela ilize,+ ingasi ngokuthanda kwayo kodwana ngebanga laloyo oyithobisileko, ngesisekelo sethemba 21 lokuthi indalo ngokwayo nayo izokutjhatjhululwa+ ekugqilazweni kukonakala, ibe netjhaphuluko ephazimulako yabantwana bakaZimu. 22 Ngombana siyazi ukuthi indalo yoke iragela phambili nokuquma kanyekanye begodu iseenhlungwini kanyekanye bekube nje. 23 Ingasi lokho kwaphela kodwana nokuthi thina esineenthelo zokuthoma, okummoya, iye, thina esiqumako ngaphakathi+ njengombana silindele ngetjiseko ukuba madodana wokumbelekelwa,+ ukutjhatjhululwa emzimbenethu ngesihlengo. 24 Ngombana sasindiswa ethembeneli kodwana ithemba elibonwako akusilithemba ngombana umuntu nakabona into, uba nethemba layo na? 25 Kodwana nasinethemba+ ngesingakuboniko,+ siragela phambili nokukulindela ngetjiseko nangokukghodlhelela.+

26 Ngendlela efanako, ummoya nawo uyahlanganyela ekusisizeni ngokubogaboga+ kwethu ngombana umraro kukuthi asikwazi ekufuze sikuthandazele ngitjho nanyana kufuze sithandaze kodwana ummoya ngokwawo uyasincengela ngokuquma okungakaphinyiselwa. 27 Kodwana loyo ohlola iinhliziyo+ uyakwazi okutjhiwo mmoya ngombana uncenga ngokuvumelana noZimu ngebanga labacwengileko.

28 Siyazi ukuthi uZimu wenza yoke imisebenzakhe isebenzisane ndawonye bona kuzuze labo abathanda uZimu, labo okungibo ababizwe ngokuvumelana nomnqophwakhe;+ 29 ngombana kusukela ekuthomeni uZimu bekazi ngalabo ebekazobakhetha begodu waqunta nokuthi babesibonakaliso seNdodanakhe+ bona ibe lizibulo+ hlangana nabafowethu abanengi.+ 30 Ngaphezu kwalokho, labo uZimu ebekazobakhetha+ ngibo ababizileko+ godu; nalabo ababizileko ngilabo athi balungile.+ Emaswapheleni labo athi balungile ngilabo abaphazimulisileko godu.+

31 Nje-ke, sizokuthini ngezintwezi? Nangabe uZimu ungakithi, ngubani ozokuphikisana nathi?+ 32 Njengombana angakhenge ayibabalele iNdodanakhe kodwana wanikela ngayo ngebanga lethu soke+ godu angekhe yena, kanye nayo, ngomusa basinikele soke ezinye izinto? 33 Ngubani ozobathwesa umlandu abakhethiweko+ bakaZimu na? UZimu nguye othi balungile.+ 34 Ngubani ozobahlulela ukuthi bamlandu? UKrestu Jesu nguye owafako, iye, ngaphezu kwalokho nguye owavuswako, ongesandleni sokudla sakaZimu+ begodu osincengelako.+

35 Ngubani ongasihlukanisa nethando lakaKrestu?+ Kghani kungaba lisizi namkha kutlhaga namkha kuhlunguphazwa namkha yindlala namkha kukuba hlubule namkha yingozi namkha yisabula na?+ 36 Njengombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Ngebanga lakho siyabulawa ilanga loke; sithathwa njengezimvu ezizokuhlatjwa.”+ 37 Ngokuphambene nalokho, kizo zoke izintwezi siyathumba ngokupheleleko+ ngebanga laloyo osithandileko. 38 Ngombana ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi akunakufa namkha ukuphila namkha iingilozi namkha imibuso namkha izinto ezikhona njenganje namkha izinto ezizako namkha amandla+ 39 namkha ubude namkha ukutjhinga namkha nanyana ngiyiphi enye indalo engakghona ukusihlukanisa nethando lakaZimu elikuKrestu Jesu iKosethu.

9 Ngikhuluma iqiniso kuKrestu; angileyi amala njengombana unembezami ufakazelana nami emmoyeni ocwengileko, 2 ukuthi ngilisizi khulu begodu nginobuhlungu obungapheliko ehliziywenami. 3 Ngombana ngifisa ngathana bengihlukaniswe noKrestu njengomuntu oqalekisiweko ngebanga labafowethu, iinhlobo zami, 4 ezima-Israyeli. Ngekwabo ukumbelekelwa njengamadodana,+ iphazimulo, iimvumelwano,+ ukunikelwa komThetho,+ ukulotjha uZimu+ neenthembiso.+ 5 Ngebabo abokhokho+ begodu uKrestu uvele kibo ngokwenyama.+ UZimu ophezu kwakho koke, akadunyiswe bekube nini nanini. Amen.

6 Akusikukuthi ilizwi lakaZimu libhalelwe. Ngombana akusingibo boke abavela ku-Israyeli, “abangu-Israyeli” wamambala.+ 7 Akusingibo boke ababantwana ngombana basizukulwana saka-Abrahama;+ kunalokho, “Iinzukulwana zakho zizokuza ngo-Isaka.”+ 8 Okutjho bona abantwana enyameni abasibantwana bakaZimu+ kwamambala kodwana abantwana ngesithembiso+ babalwa njengabantwana* bamambala baka-Abrahama. 9 Ngombana ilizwi lesithembiso belithi: “Ngesikhathesi ngizokuza begodu uSara uzabe anendodana.”+ 10 Ingasi ngesikhatheso kwaphela kodwana nalokha uRabega azithwala amawele ngo-Isaka ukhokhwethu;+ 11 lokha amawele la angakabelethwa begodu angakenzi litho elihle namkha elimbi, bona umnqopho kaZimu malungana nokukhetha uragele phambili ungadzimeleli emisebenzini kodwana kiloyo obizako, 12 kwathiwa kuye: “Indodana ekulu izokuba sigqila sendodana encani.”+ 13 Njengombana kutloliwe: “Ngimthandile uJakopo kodwana ngimhloyile u-Esewu.”+

14 Alo-ke sizokuthini? Kukhona ukungabi nabulungiswa kuZimu na? Awa!+ 15 Ngombana wathi kuMosi: “Ngizokuba nomusa kinanyana ngubani engifuna ukuba nomusa kuye begodu ngizokuba nesirhawu kinanyana ngubani engifuna ukuba nesirhawu kuye.”+ 16 Yeke akuyi ngesifiso somuntu namkha umzamakhe* kodwana kuya ngoZimu, onomusa.+ 17 Ngombana umtlolo uthi kuFaro: “Kungebangeli ngikulisile waragela phambili uphila bona ngitjengise amandlami ngawe nokwenza igama lami limenyezelwe ephasini loke.”+ 18 Nje-ke unomusa kinanyana ngubani afuna ukuba nomusa kuye kodwana uvumela nanyana ngubani afuna abe nekani bona abe nekani.+

19 Ngalokho nizokuthi kimi: “Alo kubayini asasola abantu? Ngubani ojamelene nentandwakhe?” 20 Kodwana ungubani wena muntu bona ungaphendulana noZimu?+ Into ebunjiweko iyatjho na kumbumbayo ithi: “Kubayini ungenze ngendlela le?”+ 21 Umbumbi akanamandla na phezu kwebumba+ bona ngeliqa elifanako enze isitja esiligugu nesinye esingatjho litho? 22 Kuthiwani-ke nangabe uZimu uzibekezelele khulu izitja zelaka ezenziwe zafanelekela ukutjhatjalaliswa, ngitjho nanyana athanda ukutjengisa ilaka lakhe nokwenza amandlakhe aziwe? 23 Kuthiwani nangabe lokhu kwenzelwa bona enze ukunotha kwephazimulwakhe kwaziwe ezitjeni zomusa,+ azilungiselele iphazimulo kusesengaphambili, 24 okutjho thina asibizileko ingasi hlangana namaJuda kwaphela kodwana nahlangana neentjhaba?+ 25 Kunjengombana atjho nakuHosiya: “Labo abangasibabantu bami+ ngizobabiza ngokuthi ‘babantu bami,’ naloyo obekangathandwa ngizokuthi ‘ngothandekako’+ 26 nendaweni okwathiwa kibo, ‘Anisibabantu bami,’ bazokubizwa ngokuthi ‘madodana kaZimu ophilako.’”+

27 U-Isaya warhuwelela malungana no-Israyeli wathi: “Nanyana isibalo sabantwana bakwa-Israyeli singaba njengehlabathi yelwandle, ngabaseleko kwaphela abazokusindiswa.+ 28 Ngombana uJehova* uzokwenza iphasi liziphendulele, uzokwenza njalo ngokupheleleko begodu aliphelise msinyana.”+ 29 Godu njengombana u-Isaya abikezela: “Ngathana uJehova* wamabutho akhenge asitjhiyele iinzukulwana, besizokuba njengeSodoma, sifane neGomora.”+

30 Alo sizokuthini? Abantu beentjhaba nanyana bangalweli ukufumana ukulunga, bayakufumana ukulunga,+ ukulunga okumphumela wokukholwa+ 31 kodwana u-Israyeli nanyana bekalwela ukufumana umthetho wokulunga, akhenge awufumane umthetho lowo. 32 Kubayini? Ngombana balwela ukuwufumana, ingasi ngokukholwa kodwana ngemisebenzi. Bayakhutjwa “elitjeni lokukhubekisa”+ 33 njengombana kutloliwe: “Qalani! Ngibeka eZiyoni ilitje+ nedwala elisiqabo kodwana obeka ukukholwa kwakhe koke kilo angeze adaniswe.”+

10 Bafowethu, engikufisa ngokusuka ehliziyweni nengirabhela uZimu ngakho ngebanga labo, kukuthi basindiswe.+ 2 Ngombana ngiyabafakazela ukuthi bayamtjhisakalela uZimu+ kodwana ingasi ngokuvumelana nelwazi elinembileko. 3 Ngokungazi ukulunga kwakaZimu+ kodwana bafune ukuveza kwabo,+ azange bazithobe ekulungeni kwakaZimu.+ 4 Ngombana uKrestu usiphetho somThetho+ bona nanyana ngubani okholwako abe nokulunga.+

5 UMosi watlola ngokulunga okuza ngomThetho athi: “Umuntu owenza izintwezi uzokuphila ngebanga lazo.”+ 6 Kodwana ukulunga okumphumela wokukholwa kuthi: “Ungathomi uthi ehliziywenakho,+ ‘Ngubani ozokukhuphukela ezulwini?’+ Okutjho ukuthi, ayokwehlisa uKrestu 7 namkha ‘Ngubani ozokwehlela emgodini onganamkhawulo?’+ Okutjho ukuthi, avuse uKrestu kwabafileko.” 8 Kodwana uthini umTlolo? “Ilizwi liseduze nawe, lisemlonyenakho nehliziywenakho,”+ ‘okulilizwi’ lokukholwa, esilitjhumayelako. 9 Ngombana nawuvuma tjhatjhalazi ngomlomakho ukuthi uJesu uyiKosi,+ ukholwe ngehliziywakho ukuthi uZimu wamvusa kwabafileko, uzokusindiswa. 10 Ngehliziyo umuntu uyakholwa afumane ukulunga kodwana ngomlomo umuntu uvuma tjhatjhalazi+ afumane isindiso.

11 Umtlolo uthi: “Akakho obeka ukukholwa kwakhe kuye ozokudana.”+ 12 Ngombana akunamehluko phakathi komJuda nomGirigi.+ KuneKosi yinye phezu kwabo boke, enothileko* kibo boke abayibizako. 13 Ngombana “woke umuntu obiza igama lakaJehova* uzokusindiswa.”+ 14 Nanyana kunjalo, bazombiza njani loyo abangakakholwa kuye? Bazokukholwa njani kiloyo abangakezwa ngaye? Bazokuzwa njani nakungekho otjhumayelako? 15 Bazokutjhumayela njani bangakathunywa?+ Njengombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “Qala bona zihle kangangani iinyawo zalabo abamemezela iindaba ezimnandi zezinto ezihle!”+

16 Kodwana azange bazilalele boke iindaba ezimnandi. Ngombana u-Isaya uthi: “Jehova,* ngubani okholwe into ayizwe kithi?”*+ 17 Nje-ke ukukholwa kulandela into ezwiweko.+ Bese lokho okuzwiweko kuza ngelizwi elimalungana noKrestu. 18 Kodwana ngiyabuza: Kghani babhalelwe kukuzwa? Awa, kuhlekuhle, “ubufakazi babo baphumela ephasini loke nomlayezwabo wafika emaphethelweni wephasi.”+ 19 Kodwana ngiyabuza: Kghani u-Israyeli wabhalelwa kukwazi?+ Kokuthoma uMosi uthi: “Ngizonenza nibe nomona ngabantu abangasisitjhaba; ngizonenza nisilingeke nibe nenturhu ngesitjhaba esisidlhadlha.”+ 20 Kodwana u-Isaya uba nesibindi khulu athi: “Ngafunyanwa ngilabo ebebangangifuni;+ ngaziwa ngilabo ebebangabuzi ngami.”+ 21 Kodwana ngokuphathelene no-Israyeli uthi: “Ilanga loke ngilulela izandla zami esitjhabeni esingalaleliko nesinekani.”+

11 Nje-ke ngiyabuza, kghani uZimu wabalahla abantu bakhe?+ Awa akhenge! Ngombana nami ngimIsrayeli, isizukulwana* saka-Abrahama, wekoro kaBhenjamini. 2 UZimu akhenge alahle abantu bakhe, labo abakhetha kokuthoma.+ Anazi na bona umtlolo uthini ngo-Eliya njengombana amangalela ama-Israyeli kuZimu? 3 Wathi: “Jehova,* babulele abaphorofidi bakho, babhuruza ama-aldarakho, kusele mina ngedwa, nje balinga ukungibulala.”+ 4 Kodwana uZimu wamphendula wathini? “Nginamadoda azii-7 000 angakhenge akhothamele uBhali.”+ 5 Ngendlela efanako nesikhathini sanje, kunabaseleko+ abakhethwe ngebanga lomusa omkhulu. 6 Nje-ke nangabe kungomusa omkhulu,+ akusesengemisebenzi;+ ngathana bekunjalo, umusa omkhulu bewungekhe usaba mumusa omkhulu.

7 Nje-ke sizokuthini? Khona lokho u-Israyeli ebekakufuna ngetjiseko akhenge akufumane kodwana labo abakhethiweko bakufumene.+ Boke abanye bafiphazwe imikhumbulo+ 8 kunjengombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “UZimu ubanikele ummoya wobuthongo obukhulu,+ amehlo angaboniko neendlebe ezingezwako, bekwaba kunamhlanjesi.”+ 9 Godu uDavida uthi: “Itafulabo ayibe sithiyo, sirarejo, sikhubekiso nokuzibuyisela kibo. 10 Amehlwabo awaphophale, ubenze bahlale bagobe imigogodlhabo.”+

11 Nje-ke ngiyabuza: Kghani bakhutjiwe begodu bawa ngokupheleleko? Awa akusinjalo! Kodwana ngokweqa kwabo umthetho, kunesindiso ebantwini beentjhaba bona babenze babe nesikhwele.+ 12 Nje-ke nangabe ukweqa kwabo umthetho kutjho ukunotha ephasini nokwehla kwabo kutjho ukunotha ebantwini beentjhaba,+ qala ukuthi isibalo sabo esizeleko sizokutjho okukhulu kangangani-ke!

13 Nje-ke ngikhuluma nani bantu beentjhaba. Njengombana ngimpostoli eentjhabeni,+ ngiphazimulisa umsebenzami+ 14 ukubona ukuthi ngendlela ethileko ngingakghona na ukwenza abantu bekhethu babe nesikhwele begodu ngisindise abanye hlangana nabo. 15 Ngombana nangabe ukulahlwa kwabo+ kutjho ukubuyisana ephasini, ngalokho ukwamukelwa kwabo ngokuqinisekileko kuzokutjho ukuphila kwabafileko. 16 Ukungezelela kilokho, nangabe ingcenye yehlama ethathwe njengeenthelo zokuthoma icwengile, ihlama yoke nayo icwengile begodu nangabe umrabhu ucwengile neempande nazo zicwengile.

17 Nanyana kunjalo, nangabe ezinye zeempande zaphulwa begodu wena nanyana uyi-oliva yemmangweni, wafakwa hlangana nazo, waba mhlanganyeli wokunotha komrabhu we-oliva, 18 ungazikhakhazisi eempandeni. Nangabe uyazikhakhazisa kizo,+ khumbula ukuthi akusinguwe othwala umrabhu kodwana umrabhu uthwele wena. 19 Nje-ke uzokuthi: “Iimpande zaphulwa bona mina ngihlunyeleliswe.”+ 20 Lokho kuliqiniso! Ngebanga lokungakholwa kwabo, baphulwa+ kodwana wena ujame ngokukholwa.+ Ungazikhakhazisi kodwana yesaba. 21 Ngombana nangabe uZimu akhenge azibabalele iimpande zemvelo nawe angekhe akubabalele. 22 Nje-ke cabangela umusa kaZimu+ nobukhali bakhe. Kunobukhali ngalabo abawileko+ kodwana kuwe kunomusa kaZimu, kwaphela nawuhlala emusenakhe; ngaphandle kwalokho nawe uzokuquntwa. 23 Nabo nabakholwako, bazokuhlunyeleliswa+ ngombana uZimu uyakghona ukubahlumelelisa godu. 24 Ngombana nangabe bewuquntwe emthini we-oliva ongowemmangweni ngokwemvelo begodu wahlunyeleliswa ngokungakhambisani nemvelo emthini we-oliva wesimini, laba abaziimpande zemvelo bazokuhlunyeleliswa godu kangangani-ke emthinabo we-oliva!

25 Ngombana angifuni ningalemuki ifihlo ecwengileko le,+ bafowethu bona ningabi ngabahlakaniphileko emehlwenenu ukuthi iinhliziyo zamanye ama-Israyeli ziqine bekube kulapho kubuthelelwe isibalo esipheleleko sabantu beentjhaba, 26 ngendlela le woke ama-Israyeli+ azokusindiswa. Njengombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “Umtjhaphululi* uzokuvela eZiyoni,+ aphelise nemikghwa yokungahloniphi uZimu kuJakopo. 27 Begodu lesi sivumelwano sami nabo,+ nangisusa izono zabo.”+ 28 Kuliqiniso, malungana neendaba ezimnandi, bamanaba ngebanga lenu kodwana malungana nokukhetha kwakaZimu, bayathandeka ngebanga labokhokho babo.+ 29 Ngombana izipho nokubiza kwakaZimu akusizizinto azozisola ngazo. 30 Njengombana nani khekwenzeka nangalaleli uZimu+ kodwana nje senitjengiswe umusa+ ngebanga lokungalaleli kwabo+ 31 yeke nalaba abakalaleli, umphumela kwaba mumusa kini bona nabo batjengiswe umusa. 32 Ngombana uZimu ubavalele boke ekungalalelini+ bona abatjengise umusa boke.+

33 Qala bona kudephe kangangani ukunotha, ukuhlakanipha nelwazi lakaZimu! Qala bona aziphenyeki kangangani izahlulelo zakhe begodu iindlela zakhe angeze zalandelelwa! 34 Ngombana “ngubani owakhe wazi umkhumbulo kaJehova* namkha ngubani obe mumelulekakhe?”+ 35 Namkha “ngubani owakhe wamupha qangi bona abuyiselwe na?”+ 36 Ngombana zoke izinto zivela kuye, zivele ngaye begodu ngezakhe. Iphazimulo ayibe kuye kuze kube nini nanini. Amen.

12 Ngalokho, ngiyanincenga ngesirhawu sakaZimu, bafowethu bona ninikele imizimbenu+ ibe mhlatjelo ophilako, ocwengileko+ nowamukelekako kuZimu, umsebenzi ocwengileko ngamandlenu wokucabanga.+ 2 Nilise ukubunjwa liphaseli kodwana nitjhugululwe ngokwenza butjha iingqondo zenu+ bona nizibonele ngokwenu+ okuhle nokwamukelekako nokuyintando kaZimu epheleleko.

3 Ngombana ngomusa omkhulu engiphiwe wona, ngitjela woke umuntu hlangana nani ukuthi angazicabangi aqakatheke ukudlula indlela okufuze azicabange ngayo+ kodwana ukuthi acabange bona abe nengqondo evuthiweko, ngamunye njengombana uZimu amuphe isilinganiso esithileko sokukholwa.+ 4 Sinamalunga amanengi emzimbeni munye+ kodwana amalunga lawo awenzi umsebenzi ofanako woke 5 nathi nanyana sibanengi, simzimba munye ebunyeni noKrestu kodwana soke simalunga welinye nelinye.+ 6 Njengombana sinezipho ezingafaniko ngokuya ngomusa omkhulu esiphiwe wona,+ nangabe kungesesiphorofido, asiphorofideni ngokwesilinganiso sokukholwa kwethu 7 namkha nangabe msebenzi, asibeni semsebenzini lo namkha ofundisako, akabe sekufundiseni kwakhe+ 8 namkha loyo okhuthazako, akakhuthaze;+ loyo owabako,* akakwenze ngesandla esivulekileko;+ loyo owengamelako, akakwenze ngokukhuthala;*+ loyo otjengisa umusa, akakwenze ngethabo.+

9 Ithando lenu alingabi nobuzenzisi.+ Hloyani okumbi;+ ninamathele kokuhle. 10 Thandanani njengamalunga womndeni. Ekuhloniphaneni, dosani phambili.+ 11 Khuthalani,* ningavilaphi.+ Vuthani emmoyeni.+ Yibani ziingqila zakaJehova.*+ 12 Thabani ethembeni. Nikghodlhelele ngaphasi kwesizi.+ Niphikelele emthandazweni.+ 13 Hlanganyelani nabacwengileko kuye ngokwalokho abakutlhogako.+ Landelani ikambiso yokwamukela iimvakatjhi.+ 14 Ragelani phambili nibusisa labo abanihlunguphazako;+ busisani ningakhulumi kumbi ngabo.+ 15 Thabani nabathabako, lilani nabalilako. 16 Qalani abanye ngendlela eniziqala ngayo, ningabeki imikhumbulwenu ezintweni eziphakemeko kodwana landelani izinto eziphasi.+ Ningabi ngabahlakaniphileko emehlwenenu.+

17 Ningabuyiseli okumbi ngokumbi kunanyana ngubani.+ Yenzani okuhle emehlweni wabo boke abantu. 18 Nakukghonekako, ngokusemandlenenu, yibani nokuthula nabantu boke.+ 19 Ningazibuyiseleli, bathandekako kodwana tjhidelani ilaka lakaZimu+ ngombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “‘Ngekwami ukuzibuyiselela; ngizokubuyisela’ kutjho uJehova.”*+ 20 Kodwana “nange inaba lakho lilambile, liphe ukudla, nangabe lomile, linikele okuselwako ngombana ngokwenza lokhu uzabe upakelanisa amalahle avuthako ehlokwalo.”*+ 21 Ungavumi ukuhlulwa ngokumbi kodwana ragela phambili uhlula okumbi ngokuhle.+

13 Woke umuntu akazithobe* eemphathimandleni eziphakemeko+ ngombana asikho isiphathimandla esikhona ngaphandle kwemvumo kaZimu;+ iimphathimandla ezikhona zijame eendaweni zazo ezilinganiselweko ezizabelwe nguZimu.+ 2 Yeke, nanyana ngubani ophikisa isiphathimandla uphikisana nelungiselelo lakaZimu; labo abaphikisana naso bazozilethela isahlulelo. 3 Ngombana ababusi bayasatjwa. Abasatjwa ngilabo abenza okuhle kodwana ngilabo abenza okumbi.+ Uyafuna na ukungasisabi isiphathimandla? Raga nokwenza okuhle,+ sizokudumisa 4 ngombana sisisebenzi sakaZimu bona kuzuze wena. Kodwana nangabe wenza okumbi, saba ngombana asikayiphatheli ilize isabula. Sisisebenzi sakaZimu, umbuyiseli wokuveza ilaka* kiloyo ophila ngokwenza okumbi.

5 Nje-ke kunebanga elikatelelako ngani bona nizithobe, ingasi ngebanga lelakelo kwaphela kodwana nangebanga lakanembezenu.+ 6 Ngikho nibhadela nemithelo ngombana ziziinsebenzi zomphakathi zakaZimu ezisebenzela wona umnqopho lo. 7 Nikelani boke okubafaneleko: Ofuna umthelo, umthelo;+ ofuna ukubhadelwa, mbhadeleni; ofuna ukusatjwa, ukusatjwa okunjalo;+ ofuna ukuhlonitjhwa, ukuhlonitjhwa okunjalo.+

8 Ningakolodi muntu nanyana yini ngaphandle kokuthandana+ ngombana nanyana ngubani othanda omunye umuntu uwuzalisile umthetho.+ 9 Ngombana umthetho uthi, “Ungafebi,*+ ungabulali,+ ungebi,+ ungabi marhamaru”+ bese kuthi nanyana ngimuphi omunye umyalo okhona, uhlanganiswe esitjhwenesi: “Kufuze uthande umakhelwanakho njengombana uzithanda wena.”+ 10 Ithando alikwenzi okumbi kumakhelwana womuntu;+ nje-ke, ithando likuzaliswa komthetho.+

11 Godu yenzani lokho ngombana niyasazi isikhathesi ukuthi sekusikhathi sokuthi nivuke ebuthongweni+ ngombana nje ukusindiswa kwethu kuseduze khulu kunangesikhathi siba makholwa. 12 Ubusuku sebukhambe khulu; imini seyitjhidele. Nje-ke asihlubuleni imisebenzi yobumnyama,+ simbathe iinkhali zokukhanya.+ 13 Asikhambeni ngokuhlelekileko+ njengemini, ingasi ngemigidi engalawulekiko nokudakwa, ingasi ngokuhlanganyela amabhayi okusisono nokwenza amanyala ungabi neenhloni,*+ ingasi ngombango nomona.+ 14 Kodwana yembathani iKosi uJesu Krestu+ begodu ningahleli ngaphambi kwesikhathi ukwanelisa iinkanuko zenyama.+

14 Yamukelani umuntu obogabogako ekukholweni kwakhe+ kodwana ningahluleli ngebanga lemibono engafaniko.* 2 Omunye umuntu ukholelwa ekudleni yoke into kodwana umuntu obogabogako udla imirorho kwaphela. 3 Loyo odlako angamqaleli phasi ongadliko, kuthi loyo ongadliko angamahluleli odlako+ ngombana uZimu umamukele. 4 Ungubani wena bona ungahlulela isisebenzi somunye?+ Sijama namkha sikhothame ekosinaso.+ Sizokwenziwa sijame ngombana uJehova* angasenza sijame.

5 Omunye umuntu wahlulela elinye ilanga njengeliqakatheke ukudlula elinye;+ omunye wahlulela ilanga linye njengawo woke amanye;+ omunye nomunye kufuze aqiniseke ngokupheleleko emkhumbulwenakhe. 6 Loyo ogidinga ilanga uligidingela uJehova.* Godu loyo odlako, udlela uJehova* ngombana uthokoza uZimu;+ kuthi loyo ongadliko akadleli uJehova* begodu nanyana kunjalo uthokoza uZimu.+ 7 Eqinisweni, akakho namunye wethu oziphilela yena kwaphela+ begodu akakho ofako, ozifela yena kwaphela. 8 Ngombana nasiphilako, siphilela uJehova*+ nasifako sifela uJehova.* Nje-ke, nasiphilako nalokha nasifako, singebakaJehova.*+ 9 Ngombana ngomnqopho lo uKrestu wafa begodu waphila godu bona abe yiKosi phezu kwabafileko nabaphilako.+

10 Alo-ke kubayini wahlulela umfowenu?+ Namkha kubayini umqalela phasi umfowenu? Ngombana soke sizokujama phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela sakaZimu.+ 11 Ngombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “‘Ngokuqinisekileko njengombana ngiphila,’+ kutjho uJehova,* ‘Woke amadolo azokuguqa phambi kwami begodu boke abantu bazokuvuma tjhatjhalazi kuZimu.’”+ 12 Ngalokho-ke, ngamunye wethu uzoziphendulela kuZimu.+

13 Nje-ke, singasahlulelani+ kunalokho, asizimiseleni ukungabeki isiqabo namkha into engabangela umfowethu awe ekukholweni.+ 14 Ngiyazi begodu ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi eKosini uJesu akunanto esilapheleko ngokwayo;+ kwaphela umuntu nakacabanga ukuthi into ethileko isilaphele, kuye isilaphele. 15 Ngombana nangabe umfowenu uyahlabeka ngebanga lokudla, awusakhambi ngokuvumelana nethando.+ Ngokudla kwakho ungonakalisi* loyo uKrestu amfelako.+ 16 Nje-ke, ungavumeli okuhle okwenzako kukhulunywe kumbi ngakho. 17 Ngombana umBuso kaZimu awutjho ukudla nokusela+ kodwana utjho ukulunga, ukuthula nokuthaba ngommoya ocwengileko. 18 Ngombana nanyana ngubani osigqila sakaKrestu ngendlela le uyamukeleka kuZimu begodu wamukelwa nababantu.

19 Nje-ke yenzani koke okusemandlenenu bona nibe nokuthula nabanye+ nenze nezinto eziqinisa abanye.+ 20 Lisani ukugiriza umsebenzi kaZimu ngebanga lokudla+ nje kwaphela. Eqinisweni zoke izinto zihlwengile kodwana ukugoma kuyamlimaza umuntu* nangabe kuzokubangela ukuwa ekukholweni.+ 21 Kungcono ukungayidli inyama namkha ukungaseli iwayini namkha ukwenza nanyana yini engakhuba umfowenu.+ 22 Ukukholwa onakho kwenze kube yindabakho noZimu. Uyathaba umuntu ongazahluleli ngalokho akwamukelako. 23 Kodwana nangabe uyazaza, sekamlandu nakangadla ngombana akadli ngokusekelwe ekukholweni. Eqinisweni koke okungakasekelwa ekukholweni kusisono.

15 Thina esiqinileko kufuze sithwale ubuthakathaka balabo abangakaqini,+ singazithabisi thina.+ 2 Ngamunye wethu akenze okuhle kumakhelwanakhe bona amakhe.+ 3 Ngombana ngitjho noKrestu akhenge azithabise yena+ kodwana njengombana kutloliwe: “Ihlamba yalabo abakuthukako iwele phezu kwami.”+ 4 Ngombana zoke izinto ezatlolwa ekadeni, zatlolelwa bona zisifundise+ ukuthi ngokukghodlhelela kwethu+ nangenduduzo evela emiTlolweni sibe nethemba.+ 5 Nje-ke kwangathi uZimu onikela ukukghodlhelela nenduduzo anganipha noke ukucabanga okufana nalokhu uKrestu Jesu ebekanakho 6 bona ngobunye,+ ngelizwi linye* niphazimulise uZimu noYise weKosethu uJesu Krestu.

7 Yeke yamukelanani+ njengombana noKrestu anamukela,+ ngomnqopho wokuphazimulisa uZimu. 8 Ngombana ngiyanitjela ukuthi uKrestu waba yinceku yalabo abasokileko+ ngebanga lokuba neqiniso kwakaZimu bona aqinisekise iinthembiso azenze kibokhokho babo+ 9 nokuthi iintjhaba ziphazimulise uZimu ngomusakhe.+ Njengombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Ngikho ngizokudumisa tjhatjhalazi hlangana neentjhaba negameni lakho ngizokubhina iindumiso.”+ 10 Godu kwathiwa: “Thabani nabantu bakhe,+ nina ntjhaba.” 11 Wabuye wathi: “Dumisani uJehova, noke nina ntjhaba begodu abantu boke abamdumise.”+ 12 Godu u-Isaya uthi: “Kuzokuba khona umrabhu kaJese,+ okungiloyo ozokuvela bona abuse iintjhaba;+ iintjhaba zizokubeka ithemba lazo kuye.”+ 13 Kwanga uZimu onikela ithemba anganizalisa ngalo loke ithabo nokuthula ngokuthembela kuye bona niphuphume ethembeni ngamandla wommoya ocwengileko.+

14 Nje-ke mina ngokwami ngiyaqiniseka ngani, bafowethu ukuthi nizele ubuhle, nizaliswe ngalo loke ilwazi nokuthi nikghona ukukhalimana.* 15 Nginitlolele kanengi ngokunqophileko ngamaphuzu athileko bona ngininikele esinye isikhumbuzo, ngebanga lomusa omkhulu engiwunikelwe nguZimu 16 bona ngibe sisebenzi satjhatjhalazi sakaKrestu Jesu eentjhabeni.+ Ngihlanganyela emsebenzini ocwengileko weendaba ezimnandi zakaZimu+ bona iintjhabezi zibe mnikelo owamukelekako, ocwengiswe ngommoya ocwengileko.

17 Ngalokho nginebanga lokuthaba kuKrestu Jesu ngezinto ezimalungana noZimu. 18 Angeze ngithome ngikhulume ngananyana yini ngaphandle kwalokho uKrestu akwenze ngami bona iintjhaba zilalele, ngelizwi nangezenzo zami, 19 ngamandla weembonakaliso neemangaliso,+ ngamandla wommoya kaZimu, ngabhoda kusukela eJerusalema bengayokufika e-Iluriko ngitjhumayela ngokupheleleko iindaba ezimnandi ngoKrestu.+ 20 Ngalokhu, ngikwenze kwaba mnqophwami ukungamemezeli iindaba ezimnandi lapho igama lakaKrestu selaziswe khona bona ngingakheli phezu kwesisekelo somunye umuntu 21 kodwana njengombana kutloliwe: “Labo abangakafumani umbiko ngaye bazokubona nalabo abangakhenge bezwe bazokuzwisisa.”+

22 Godu kungebangeli ngavinjelwa iinkhathi ezinengi ukuza kini. 23 Kodwana kwanje angisanayo isimu engakathintwa eemfundenezi begodu sekuminyaka eminengi* ngilulukela ukuza kini. 24 Yeke nangiya eSipeyini, ngithemba ukuthi ngizonibona begodu ningiphekelele kancani ngemva kobana ngithabele qangi ukuba nani isikhathi esithileko. 25 Kodwana nje sengizokuya eJerusalema ukuyokusiza abacwengileko.+ 26 Ngombana abaseMasedoniya ne-Akhaya bakuthabele ukuhlanganyela izinto zabo ngokupha abatlhagako abaphakathi kwabacwengileko eJerusalema.+ 27 Kwamambala, bakuthabele ukwenza njalo begodu bebabakoloda ngombana nangabe iintjhaba zahlanganyela ezintweni zabo ezivela kuZimu, nazo zibakoloda ukubasiza ngezinto eziphathekako.+ 28 Ngemva kobana ngiqede ngalokhu begodu ngiwethule ngokuphephileko kibo umnikelo lo,* ngizokudlula kini nangiya eSipeyini. 29 Ngiyazi nokobana nangiza kini, ngizokuza neembusiso ezinothileko ezivela kuKrestu.

30 Nje-ke ngiyanikhuthaza bafowethu, ngeKosethu uJesu Krestu nangethando lommoya bona nizinikele ekungithandazeleni kuZimu+ njengombana nami ngenza njalo 31 ukuthi ngisindiswe+ kwabangakholwako eJudiya nokuthi umsebenzi engiwenzela abacwengileko eJerusalema wamukeleke kibo+ 32 bona ngentando kaZimu ngize kini ngethabo begodu ngiqabuleke kunye nani. 33 Kwanga uZimu onikela ukuthula angaba nani noke.+ Amen.

16 Ngethula kini uFoyibe, udadwethu, webandleni leKhenkreya+ 2 bona nimamukele eKosini ngendlela efanele abacwengileko begodu nimnikele nanyana yini ayitlhogako+ ngombana ube mvikeli wabanengi, kuhlanganise nami.

3 Ningilotjhisele uPriska* no-Akhwila,+ iinsebenzi ezikunye nami kuKrestu Jesu, 4 ababeke ukuphila* kwabo engozini ngebanga lami.+ Abathokozwa ngimi kwaphela kodwana nangiwo woke amabandla weentjhaba. 5 Nilotjhise nebandla elisendlinabo.+ Nilotjhise u-Epayinetosi wami engimthandako, osithelo sokuthoma sakaKrestu e-Asiya. 6 Nilotjhise uMariya, owanisebenzela budisi. 7 Nilotjhise u-Andronikha noJuniyasi, abaziinhlobo zami+ begodu ebengibotjhwe nabo, amadoda aziwa kuhle bapostoli, abe sebunyeni noKrestu isikhathi eside kunami.

8 Ningilotjhisele u-Ampliyatusi, othandekako wami eKosini. 9 Nilotjhise u-Uribhanosi, isisebenzi esikunye nathi kuKrestu noStakhisi wami engimthandako. 10 Nilotjhise u-Aphelesi, owamukelekako kuKrestu. Nilotjhise labo abasemzini ka-Aristobulusi. 11 Nilotjhise uHerodiyona, isihlobo sami. Nilotjhise labo abasemzini kaNarikisu abaseKosini. 12 Nilotjhise uTrayifina noTrayifosa, abafazi abasebenza budisi eKosini. Nilotjhise uPhersisi, othandekako wethu ngombana usebenze budisi eKosini. 13 Nilotjhise uRufosi, okhethiweko eKosini nonina ongumma nakimi. 14 Nilotjhise u-Asinkritho, uFlegoni, uHerimesi, uPatrobhasi, uHerimasi nabafowethu abakunye nabo. 15 Nilotjhise uFilologosi noJuliya, uNeriyusi nodadwabo no-Olimpasi nabo boke abacwengileko abanabo. 16 Nilotjhisane ngokumangana okucwengileko. Woke amabandla kaKrestu ayanilotjhisa.

17 Nje-ke ngiyanikhuthaza bafowethu bona nibabeke ilihlo labo ababanga ukuhlukana nezinto ezibangela ukuwa eziphikisana nalokho enikufundileko, nibabalekele.+ 18 Ngombana abantu abanjalo abasiziingqila zeKosethu uKrestu kodwana baziingqila zamathumbabo begodu ngekulumo etjhelelako nokutshima bayenga iinhliziyo zabangasoliko. 19 Ukulalela kwenu kubonakala kibo boke, yeke ngiyathaba ngani. Kodwana ngifuna nihlakaniphe ngokuphathelene nokuhle, nibe msulwa ngokuphathelene nokumbi.+ 20 UZimu onikela ukuthula uzokutshidlha uSathana+ ngaphasi kweenyawo zenu kungasikade. Kwangathi umusa omkhulu weKosethu uJesu ungaba nani.

21 Uyanilotjhisa uThimothi, isisebenzi esikunye nami noLukiyasi, uJasoni noSosipatrosi, iinhlobo zami.+

22 Mina, Teritiyusi, otlole incwadi le abizelwa nguPowula, ngiyanilotjhisa eKosini.

23 UGayusi,+ umamukelami nowebandla loke, uyanilotjhisa. U-Erasitusi, umphathimali wedorobho* noKwaritosi umfowabo, bayanilotjhisa. 24 *——

25 Nje-ke kuZimu onganenza niqine ngokuvumelana neendaba ezimnandi engizimemezelako nokutjhumayela ngoJesu Krestu, ngokuvumelana nokwambulwa kwefihlo ecwengileko+ ebeyifihlwe isikhathi eside khulu 26 kodwana nje yembuliwe* begodu yazisiwe ngemiTlolo esiphorofido hlangana neentjhaba zoke, ngokuvumelana nomyalo kaZimu wanini nanini, wokuthuthukisa ukulalela ngokukholwa; 27 iphazimulo ngoJesu Krestu ayibe kuZimu, okunguye yedwa ohlakaniphileko,+ bekube nini nanini. Amen.