INCWADI YOKUTHOMA EYA KWEBEKORINTE

1 UPowula owabizelwa bona abe mpostoli+ kaJesu Krestu ngentando kaZimu, noSosithenesi umfowethu, 2 ebandleni lakaZimu eliseKorinte,+ kini enicwengiswe ebunyeni noKrestu Jesu,+ nabizelwa bona nibe ngabacwengileko, kunye nabo boke abakizo zoke iindawo ababiza igama leKosethu uJesu Krestu,+ iKosabo neyethu:

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

4 Ngihlala ngithokoza uZimami ngani, ngebanga lomusa omkhulu kaZimu aninikele wona kuKrestu Jesu 5 ngombana kikho koke eninakho ninjingile kuye, ngobukghoni obukhulu bokukhuluma nangelwazi elizeleko,+ 6 njengombana ubufakazi ngoKrestu+ benziwe baqina hlangana nani, 7 bona ningatlhayeli kinanyana ngisiphi isipho nakanye njengombana nilindele ngetjiseko ukwambulwa kweKosethu uJesu Krestu.+ 8 Godu uzonenza niqine bekube semaswapheleni bona ngelanga leKosethu uJesu Krestu,+ kungabi nomuntu onithwesa umlandu. 9 UZimu uthembekile,+ ngaye nabizelwa ebudlelwaneni* neNdodanakhe, uJesu Krestu iKosethu.

10 Nje-ke ngiyanikhuthaza bafowethu, ngegama leKosethu uJesu Krestu bona noke kufuze nikhulume ngokuvumelana, kungabi nokuhlukana phakathi kwenu+ kodwana ngokupheleleko nibe nobunye emkhumbulweni nendleleni efanako yokucabanga.+ 11 Ngombana abanye bendlu kaKlowe bangitjele ngani bafowethu, ukuthi kunokuphikisana phakathi kwenu. 12 Engikutjhoko ngilokhu, ukuthi ngamunye wenu uthi: “Mina ngingewakaPowula,” abanye bathi: “Mina ngingewaka-Apholo,”+ abanye bathi: “Mina ngingewakaKhefasi,”* abanye bathi: “Mina ngingewakaKrestu.” 13 Kghani uKrestu uhlukene phakathi? UPowula akhenge abulawelwe esigodweni ngebanga lenu, akusinjalo? Nabhajadiselwa egameni lakaPowula na? 14 Ngithokoza uZimu ngokuthi akhenge ngibhabhadise namunye wenu ngaphandle kwakaKrisposi+ noGayusi+ 15 bona kungabi nothi nabhajadiselwa egameni lami. 16 Iye, godu ngabhabhadisa bomndeni kaStefana.+ Malungana nabo boke abanye, angikhumbuli ngibabhabhadisa. 17 Ngombana uKrestu akhenge angithumele ukuthi ngibhabhadise kodwana wangithuma bona ngifakazele iindaba ezimnandi+ ingasi ngamezwi wokuhlakanipha, bona isigodo sokuhlunguphazwa* sakaKrestu singabi lilize.

18 Ngombana ukukhuluma ngesigodo sokuhlunguphazwa* kubudlhadlha kilabo abatjhabalalako+ kodwana kithi esisindiswako, kumamandla kaZimu.+ 19 Ngombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “Ngizokwenza ukuhlakanipha kwabahlakaniphileko kutjhabalale begodu ukukhalipha kweemfundiswa ngizokwala.”*+ 20 Uphi umuntu ohlakaniphileko? Uphi umtloli?* Uphi umphikisi wephaseli? UZimu akhenge enze ukuhlakanipha kwephasi kube budlhadlha na? 21 Ngombana, ekuhlakanipheni kwakaZimu, iphasi akhenge limazi uZimu+ ngokuhlakanipha kwalo,+ uZimu wathatjiswa budlhadlha+ balokho okutjhunyayelwako bona asindise abakholwako.

22 Ngombana amaJuda afuna iimbonakaliso+ begodu amaGirigi afuna ukuhlakanipha 23 kodwana sitjhumayela uKrestu owabulawelwa esigodweni, emaJudeni lokho kusikhubekiso kodwana eentjhabeni kubudlhadlha.+ 24 Nanyana kunjalo, kilabo ababiziweko, kokubili amaJuda namaGirigi, uKrestu umamandla kaZimu nokuhlakanipha kwakaZimu.+ 25 Ngombana izinto ezivela kuZimu abantu abazithatha njengezibudlhadlha zihlakaniphe ukudlula abantu begodu izinto ezivela kuZimu abantu abaziqala njengezibogabogako zinamandla ukudlula abantu.+

26 Ngombana niyakubona ukunibiza kwakhe, bafowethu, ukuthi abasibanengi abahlakaniphileko ngokombono wabantu,+ abasibanengi abanamandla, abasibanengi ababelethelwe ebukhosini*+ 27 kodwana uZimu ukhethe izinto ezibudlhadlha zephasi bona ahlazise abantu abahlakaniphileko begodu uZimu ukhethe izinto ezibogabogako zephasi bona ahlazise izinto ezinamandla;+ 28 uZimu ukhethe izinto ezingakaqakatheki zephasi nezinto eziqalelwa phasi, izinto ezingekho bona aqede izinto ezikhona,+ 29 bona kungabi namuntu ozikhakhazisako phambi kwakaZimu. 30 Kodwana kungebanga lakhe nisebunyeni noKrestu Jesu, kithi obe kuhlakanipha okuvela kuZimu, nokulunga,+ nokucwengeka,+ nokutjhatjhululwa ngesihlengo,+ 31 ukuze kube njengombana kutloliwe ukuthi: “Loyo ozikhakhazisako, akazikhakhazise ngoJehova.”+

2 Yeke ngesikhathi ngize kini bafowethu, akhenge ngize ngekulumo yokubukisa+ namkha ngokuhlakanipha nangimemezela ifihlo ecwengileko+ kaZimu. 2 Ngombana ngaqunta ukungazi litho hlangana nani ngaphandle koJesu Krestu, naye obulawelwe esigodweni.+ 3 Ngeza kini ngokubogaboga, ngokusaba nangokuhlengezela okukhulu 4 begodu ikulumami nalokho engakutjhumayelako bekungasi mamezwi wokuhlakanipha akholwekako kodwana bekungewokutjengisa ummoya namandla,+ 5 bona ukukholwa kwenu kungabi sekuhlakanipheni kwabantu kodwana kube semandleni kaZimu.

6 Nje-ke sikhuluma ukuhlakanipha hlangana nalabo abavuthiweko,+ ingasi ukuhlakanipha kwephaseli namkha kwababusi bephaseli abazokuba lilize.+ 7 Kodwana sikhuluma ukuhlakanipha kwakaZimu ngefihlo ecwengileko,+ ukuhlakanipha okufihlekileko uZimu ebekakuhlosile ngaphambi kobana iphaseli libe khona bona kube yiphazimulo kithi. 8 Lokhu kuhlakanipha okungekho namunye wababusi bephaseli owakulemuka+ ngombana ngathana bakulemuka, bebangekhe bayibulala* iKosi ephazimulako. 9 Kodwana njengombana kutloliwe: “Ilihlo akhenge libone nendlebe akhenge izwe, akhenge zicatjangwe ehliziyweni yomuntu izinto uZimu azilungiselele labo abamthandako.”+ 10 UZimu usambulele zona+ ngommoyakhe+ ngombana ummoya uhlola ezintweni zoke, ngitjho nezinto ezidephileko zakaZimu.+

11 Ngubani hlangana nabantu owazi izinto zomuntu ngaphandle kommoya womuntu okuye? Ngokunjalo-ke, akakho okghone ukwazi izinto zakaZimu ngaphandle kommoya kaZimu. 12 Nje-ke asikamukeli ummoya wephasi kodwana samukele ummoya ovela kuZimu,+ bona sazi izinto esizinikelwe nguZimu ngomusa. 13 Izintwezi nathi esizikhulumako, asizikhulumi ngamezwi afundiswe ngokuhlakanipha komuntu+ kodwana ngalawo afundiswe ngommoya+ njengombana sihlathulula iindaba ezimalungana noZimu ngamezwi esiwafumene ngommoyakhe.

14 Kodwana umuntu onqotjhiswa yinyama akazamukeli izinto zommoya kaZimu, ngombana zibudlhadlha kuye; akakghoni ukuzazi, ngombana umuntu kufuze abe nommoya kaZimu bona azihlole. 15 Umuntu onqotjhiswa mmoya kaZimu uhlola zoke izinto+ kodwana yena ngokwakhe akahlolwa nginanyana ngubani. 16 Ngombana “ngubani owazi umkhumbulo kaJehova, bona amfundise?”+ Kodwana sinawo umkhumbulo kaKrestu.+

3 Yeke bafowethu, akhenge ngikghone ukukhuluma nani njengabantu abanqotjhiswa mmoya kaZimu+ kodwana njengabantu benyama nanjengamasana+ kuKrestu. 2 Nganiseza ibisi, ingasi ukudla okuqinileko ngombana beningakaqini ngokwaneleko. Kuhlekuhle anikaqini ngokwaneleko nanje+ 3 ngombana nisesengebenyama.+ Njengombana kunomona nokulwa hlangana nani, kghani anisingebenyama+ naninjalo begodu anikhambi ngendlela abantu abakhamba ngayo na? 4 Omunye nakathi, “NgingewakaPowula” kodwana omunye athi, “Ngingewaka-Apholo,”+ anenzi njengabantu abajayelekileko na?

5 Uyini u-Apholo? Uyini uPowula? Ziinceku+ enaba makholwa ngazo njengombana iKosi yanikela umuntu ngamunye. 6 Mina ngatjala,+ u-Apholo wathelelela+ kodwana uZimu wakhulisa, 7 kangangobana otjalako naloyo othelelelako abasililitho kodwana uZimu okhulisako nguye olilitho.+ 8 Nje-ke otjalako naloyo othelelelako bayinto yinye* kodwana umuntu ngamunye uzokufumana umvuzwakhe ngokuvumelana nomsebenzakhe.+ 9 Ngombana thina sisebenza noZimu. Nina niyisimu kaZimu elinywako, umakhiwo kaZimu.+

10 Ngomusa omkhulu kaZimu enganikelwa wona, njengomakhi osikghwari,* ngabeka isisekelo+ kodwana othileko wakha phezu kwaso. Ngamunye akatjheje bona wakhela njani phezu kwaso. 11 Ngombana akakho ongabeka esinye isisekelo ngaphandle kwalesi esibekiweko, esinguJesu Krestu.+ 12 Nje-ke nangabe umuntu wakhela phezu kwesisekelo ngegolide, ngesiliva, ngamatje aligugu, ngeengodo, ngefuru namkha ngeenhlanga, 13 nakufika ilanga lokuhlolwa, umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye uzokubonakaliswa ngombana umlilo+ uzokwambula koke begodu uzokutjengisa ukuthi unjani umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye. 14 Nangabe umsebenzi womuntu owakhelwe esisekelweni udzimelela, uzokufumana umvuzo, 15 nangabe umsebenzi womuntu utjhile, uzokuloba kodwana yena uzokusinda. Yeke nakunjalo, kuzokuba ngasuthi uphunyurhe emlilweni.

16 Anazi na bona nina nilithempeli lakaZimu+ nokuthi ummoya kaZimu uhlala kini?+ 17 Umuntu nakatjhabalalisa ithempeli lakaZimu, uZimu uzomtjhabalalisa, ngombana ithempeli lakaZimu licwengile begodu nina nilithempelelo.+

18 Umuntu akangazikhohlisi: Nangabe kunomuntu hlangana nani ocabanga ukuthi uhlakaniphile ephasineli, akabe sidlhadlha, bona ahlakaniphe. 19 Ngombana ukuhlakanipha kwephaseli kubudlhadlha kuZimu, ngombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Ubamba abahlakaniphileko ngeenthiyo zabo.”+ 20 Godu: “UJehova* uyazi ukuthi imicabango yabantu abahlakaniphileko ililize.”+ 21 Yeke akungabi namuntu ozikhakhazisa ngabantu, ngombana zoke izinto ngezenu, 22 kungaba nguPowula namkha u-Apholo namkha uKhefasi*+ namkha iphasi namkha ukuphila namkha ukufa namkha izinto ezikhona nje namkha izinto ezizako, koke ngekwenu, 23 kuthi nina nibe ngebakaKrestu,+ uKrestu yena ngewakaZimu.

4 Umuntu kufuze asiqale njengeensebenzi ezingaphasi kwakaKrestu nabaphathi befihlo ecwengileko+ kaZimu. 2 Ngokuphathelene nalokhu, abaphathi kulindeleke ukuthi bafunyanwe bathembekile. 3 Nje-ke kimi kuyinto engakaqakatheki kangako ukuthi ngihlolwe ngini namkha yikhotho yabantu. Kuhlekuhle, ngitjho kwamina angizihloli. 4 Ngombana akukho okumbi engizazela khona. Kodwana lokho akutjho bona ngilungile, ongihlolako nguJehova.+ 5 Yeke, ningahluleli+ litho kungakabi sikhathi, iKosi beyifike. Izokukhupha izinto ezifihlakeleko zobumnyama izibeke ekukhanyeni, yembule neenhloso zeenhliziyo, bese umuntu ngamunye afumane idumo lakhe kuZimu.+

6 Nje-ke bafowethu, izintwezi ngizisebenzise kimi naku-Apholo+ bona kuzuze nina, ukuze ngathi nifunde umthetho othi: “Ningadluleli ngale kwezinto ezitloliweko,” bona ningazozikhakhazisa,+ ninyula omunye esikhundleni somunye. 7 Ngombana khuyini ekwenza uhluke komunye? Kwamambala, khuyini onayo ongakhenge uyiphiwe?+ Nje-ke, nangabe wayiphiwa, kubayini uzikhakhazisa ngasuthi azange uyiphiwe?

8 Kghani senanelisekile? Seninjingile? Senithomile ukubusa njengamakhosi+ ngaphandle kwethu? Ngifisa kwamambala ukuthi ngathana besenithomile ukubusa njengamakhosi, khona nathi sizokubusa nani njengamakhosi.+ 9 Ngombana kimi kubonakala ngasuthi uZimu ubeke thina bapostoli emaswapheleni wombukiso njengabantu abagwetjelwe ukufa+ ngombana ephasini, eengilozini nebantwini sesibe mbukiso+ wemdlalweni watjhatjhalazi. 10 Siziindlhadlha+ ngebanga lakaKrestu kodwana nina nihlakaniphile kuKrestu, siyabogaboga kodwana nina niqinile, niyahlonitjhwa kodwana thina siyadelelwa. 11 Bekube li-ireli sisolo silambile,+ somile,+ sihlubule, sibetjhwa,+ singanakhaya 12 begodu sisebenza budisi ngezandla zethu.+ Nasithukwako siyabusisa,+ nasihlunguphazwako sikghodlhelela ngesineke,+ 13 nasirhwayelwako siphendula ngommoya ophasi,*+ sesibe njengeenzibi zephasi, ifucufucu yazo zoke izinto, bekube nje.

14 Angitloli izintwezi bona nginiphathise iinhloni kodwana bona nginikhuthaze njengabantwabami engibathandako. 15 Ngombana ngitjho nanyana ningaba nabatlhogomeli* abazii-10 000 kuKrestu, ngokuqinisekileko aninabo abobaba abanengi, ngombana kuKrestu Jesu ngibe ngubabenu ngeendaba ezimnandi.+ 16 Nje-ke ngiyanikhuthaza, yibani balingisi bami.+ 17 Kungakho ngithumela uThimothi kini ngombana mntwanami engimthandako nothembekileko eKosini. Uzonikhumbuza iindlela zami ezimalungana noKrestu Jesu+ njengombana ngifundisa kiyo yoke indawo kwelinye nelinye ibandla.

18 Abanye bayazikhakhazisa ingasuthi angisezi kini. 19 Kodwana nangabe uJehova* uyathanda, ngizokuza kini kungasikade begodu angizukuzitshwenya ngokwazi ikulumo yalabo abazikhakhazisako kodwana ngizokwazi amandlabo. 20 Ngombana umBuso kaZimu awusiyindaba yekulumo kodwana yamandla. 21 Ngikuphi enikunyulako? Kghani nifuna ngize kini ngeswazi+ namkha ngethando nommoya ophasi?

5 Kubikwe bona kunokuziphatha kumbi ngokomseme*+ phakathi kwenu, ukuziphatha kumbi* okunjalo angekhe wakufumana ngitjho nahlangana nabantu beentjhaba, ukuthi umuntu uya emabhayini nomkayise.+ 2 Kghani niyazikhakhazisa ngalokho? Akukafuzi na nibe lisizi,+ ukuze umuntu owenze isenzwesi asuswe phakathi kwenu?+ 3 Nanyana ngingekho ngomzimba, ngikhona ngommoya begodu sengimahlulele umuntu owenze isenzwesi, njengokungathi nginani. 4 Nanibuthene ndawonye ngegama leKosethu uJesu, nazi nokuthi nginani ngommoya nangamandla weKosethu uJesu, 5 umuntu onjalo kufuze nimnikele kuSathana+ bona kutjhatjalaliswe inyama, ukuze ummoya usindiswe ngelanga leKosi.+

6 Ukuzikhakhazisa kwenu akusikuhle. Anazi na bona isibiliso esincani sibilisa ihlama yoke?+ 7 Susani isibiliso esidala ukuze nibe yihlama etja, njengombana ninganaso isibiliso. Ngombana kwamambala, uKrestu imvana yePhasika+ lethu wenziwe umhlatjelo.+ 8 Yeke asiwugidingeni umnyanya lo+ ingasi ngesibiliso esidala namkha ngesibiliso sobumbi nokukhohlakala kodwana ngoburotho obunganasibiliso bokuthembeka nebeqiniso.

9 Encwadinami nganitlolela bona nilise ukuzihlanganisa nabantu abaziphatha kumbi ngokomseme,* 10 angitjho bona nilise ukuzihlanganisa ngokupheleleko nabantu bephaseli+ abaziphatha kumbi ngokomseme* namkha abantu abamarhamaru namkha abadlelezeli namkha abalotjha iinthombe. Ngombana nakunjalo, bekuzokufuze niphume ephasini.+ 11 Kodwana nje nginitlolela bona nilise ukuzihlanganisa+ nomuntu obizwa ngokuthi mfowethu kodwana oziphatha kumbi ngokomseme* namkha omarhamaru+ namkha olotjha iinthombe namkha othukanako* namkha osidakwa+ namkha omdlelezeli,+ ningadli ngitjho nokudla nomuntu onjalo. 12 Kungisiza ngani ukwahlulela abangaphandle? Anahluleli abangaphakathi na, 13 kukulapho uZimu ahlulela abangaphandle?+ “Susani umuntu omumbi phakathi kwenu.”+

6 Ukhona na phakathi kwenu othi nakabe nombango nomunye+ abe nesibindi sokuya ekhotho phambi kwabantu abangakalungi, angayi phambi kwabacwengileko? 2 Namkha anazi na ukuthi abacwengileko bazokwahlulela iphasi?+ Yeke nangabe iphasi lizokwahlulelwa ngini, angekhe nakghona na ukwahlulela iindaba ezingatjho litho? 3 Anazi na ukuthi sizokwahlulela iingilozi?+ Kangangani-ke ngokwahlulela iindaba zokuphilokhu? 4 Nje-ke, nangabe nizokwahlulela iindaba zokuphilokhu,+ kghani nikhetha abantu ibandla elibaqalela phasi bona babe bahluleli? 5 Ngitjho lokhu bona nginiphathise iinhloni. Kghani akakho nomuntu munye ohlakaniphileko phakathi kwenu ongakghona ukwahlulela hlangana kwabafowabo? 6 Kunalokho, umuntu umangalela umfowabo ekhotho, phambi kwabantu abangakholwako!

7 Kuhlekuhle, senihluliwe nanimangalelana emakhotho. Kunokobana nimangalelane emakhotho, kubayini ningazivumeli bona noniwe?+ Kubayini ningazivumeli bona nidlelezelwe? 8 Esikhundleni salokho, niyona, niyadlelezela begodu nikwenza kubafowenu!

9 Namkha anazi na ukuthi abantu abangakalungi angekhe balizuze ilifa lomBuso kaZimu?+ Ningakhohliswa. Labo abaziphatha kumbi ngokomseme,*+ abalotjha iinthombe,+ iimfebe,*+ iintjhatjha zamadoda,+ amadoda aya emabhayini namadoda,+ 10 amasela, abamarhamaru,+ iindakwa,+ abathukanako,* nabadlelezeli, angekhe balizuze ilifa lomBuso kaZimu.+ 11 Lokhu ngilokho abanye benu ebeningikho. Kodwana nihlanziwe nahlwengeka,+ nicwengisiwe+ kuthiwe nilungile+ egameni leKosi uJesu Krestu nangommoya kaZimethu.

12 Zoke izinto zivumelekile kimi, kodwana akusizo zoke izinto ezizuzisako.+ Zoke izinto zivumelekile kimi, kodwana angekhe ngivume bona ngilawulwe nginanyana yini. 13 Ukudla ngekwamathumbu namathumbu ngewokudla kodwana uZimu uzokwenza kokubili kube lilize.+ Umzimba awusingewokuziphatha kumbi ngokomseme* kodwana ngeweKosi,+ neKosi ngeyomzimba. 14 UZimu uvuse iKosi+ begodu nathi uzosivusa ekufeni+ ngamandlakhe.+

15 Anazi na ukuthi imizimbenu imalunga kaKrestu?+ Alo-ke sekufuze ngisuse amalunga kaKrestu ngiwahlanganise nengwadla? Awa! 16 Kghani anazi ukuthi nanyana ngubani ozihlanganisa nengwadla umzimba munye nayo? Ngombana uZimu uthi, “ababilaba bazokuba yinyama yinye.”+ 17 Kodwana loyo ohlanganiswe neKosi umunye nayo emmoyeni.+ 18 Kubalekeleni ukuziphatha kumbi ngokomseme!*+ Zoke ezinye izono umuntu angazenza zingaphandle komzimbakhe, kodwana nanyana ngubani onomukghwa wokuziphatha kumbi ngokomseme wona umzimbakhe.+ 19 Kghani anazi ukuthi umzimbenu ulithempeli+ lommoya ocwengileko ongaphakathi kwenu, eniwunikelwe nguZimu?+ Godu, anisingebenu,+ 20 ngombana nathengwa ngentengo.+ Ngokuqinisekileko, dumisani uZimu+ emzimbenenu.+

7 Nje-ke malungana nezinto enitlole ngazo, kungcono ngendoda bona ingamthinti* umfazi; 2 kodwana ngebanga lokwanda kokuziphatha kumbi ngokomseme,* enye nenye indoda ayibe nomfazayo,+ kuthi omunye nomunye umfazi abe nendodakhe.+ 3 Indoda ayinikele umkayo okumfaneleko, nomfazi naye enze okufanako endodenakhe.+ 4 Umfazi akanalawulo phezu komzimbakhe kodwana indodakhe inalo; ngokufanako, nendoda ayinalawulo phezu komzimbayo kodwana umkayo unalo. 5 Ningadimani ngaphandle kwalokha nanivumeleneko okwesikhatjhana esithileko, bona nizinikele isikhathi sokuthandaza; ngemva kwalapho-ke nibuye godu nihlangane, ukuthi uSathana angasolo anilinga ngebanga lokubhalelwa kwenu ukuzibamba. 6 Nanyana kunjalo, ngitjho lokhu njengokuvumelekileko, ingasi njengomyalo. 7 Kodwana ngikhanuka ngathana boke abantu bebanjengami. Nanyana kunjalo, omunye nomunye unesiphiwo sakhe+ esivela kuZimu, omunye ngendlela le, omunye ngenye indlela.

8 Nje-ke ngithi kilabo abangakatjhadi nebahlolokazini kungcono ngabo bona bahlale banjengami.+ 9 Kodwana nababhalelwa kuzibamba, abatjhade, ngombana kungcono ukutjhada kunokutjhiswa yikanuko.+

10 Ebantwini abatjhadileko nginikela iinqophiso, ingasi ezivela kimi kodwana eKosini, ukuthi umfazi akukafuzi ahlukane nendodakhe.+ 11 Kodwana nakungenzeka ahlukane nayo, akahlale angakatjhadi namkha abuyisane nendodakhe; nendoda akukafuzi itjhiye umkayo.+

12 Kodwana kwabanye ngithi; kutjho mina, ingasi iKosi:+ Nangabe umfowethu unomfazi ongakholwako begodu umfazi loyo avuma ukuhlala naye, akukafuzi amtjhiye; 13 godu nangabe umfazi unendoda engakholwako begodu ivuma ukuhlala naye, angayitjhiyi indodakhe. 14 Ngombana indoda engakholwako iyacwengiswa ngokuphathelene nomkayo, nomfazi ongakholwako uyacwengiswa ngokuphathelene nomfowethu; ngaphandle kwalokho, abantwabenu bebazokuba ngabangakahlwengeki kodwana nje sebacwengile. 15 Kodwana nangabe loyo ongakholwako ukhetha ukukhamba,* akakhambe; umfowethu namkha udade akakabopheki ukuhlala naye ebujamweni obunjalo kodwana uZimu unibizele ekuthuleni.+ 16 Ngombana wena mfazi, wazi njani ukuthi mhlamunye uzokusindisa indodakho na?+ Namkha ndoda, wazi njani ukuthi mhlamunye uzokusindisa umkakho na?

17 Nanyana kunjalo njengombana uJehova anikele omunye nomunye ingcenye ethileko, omunye nomunye akakhambe ngendlela uZimu ambize ngayo.+ Ngalokho nginikela isinqophiswesi kiwo woke amabandla. 18 Kukhona umuntu obesele asokiwe nakabizwako na?+ Akangakususi ukusoka kwakhe. Ukhona obekangakasokwa nakabizwako na? Akahlale anjalo angasoki.+ 19 Ukusoka akutjho litho, nokungasoki akutjho litho;+ okuqakathekileko kulalela imiyalo kaZimu.+ 20 Kinanyana ngibuphi ubujamo umuntu abizwe akibo, akahlale kibo.+ 21 Kghani wabizwa usigqila? Ungavumeli lokho kukutshwenye+ kodwana nawungafumana ithuba lokutjhaphuluka, lisebenzise ithubelo. 22 Ngombana umuntu owabizelwa eKosini asigqila utjhatjhululiwe eKosini;+ ngokunjalo nomuntu obizwe atjhaphulukile usigqila sakaKrestu. 23 Nathengwa ngentengo;+ lisani ukuba ziingqila zabantu. 24 Bafowethu, kinanyana ngibuphi ubujamo umuntu abizwe akibo, akahlale kibo phambi kwakaZimu.

25 Nje-ke malungana neentombi,* anginawo umyalo ovela eKosini kodwana ngiveza wami umbono+ njengombana ngithembekile ngebanga lomusa iKosi eyangenzela wona. 26 Nje-ke, ngicabanga ukuthi kungcono ngomuntu bona azihlalele anjalo ngebanga lobudisi banjesi. 27 Unomfazi na? Lisa ukufuna itjhaphuluko.+ Awunamfazi? Lisa ukufuna umfazi. 28 Kodwana ngitjho nanyana ungatjhada, uzabe ungenzi isono. Begodu nangabe intombi* iyatjhada, izabe ingenzi isono. Nanyana kunjalo, labo abatjhadako bazokuqalana nesizi enyameni. Kodwana ngilinga ukuniphephisa.

29 Ukungezelela kilokhu bafowethu, ngithi isikhathi esiseleko sinciphile.+ Ukusukela gadesi, labo abanabafazi ababe njengabanganabo, 30 kuthi labo abalilako babe njengabangaliliko, labo abathabako babe njengabangakathabi begodu labo abathengako babe njengabanganalitho, 31 kuthi labo abasebenzisa iphaseli babe njengabangalisebenzisi ngokuzeleko; ngombana ubujamo bephaseli buyatjhuguluka. 32 Eqinisweni, ngifuna bona ningatshwenyeki. Indoda engakatjhadi itshwenyeka ngezinto zeKosi, ukuthi ingamukeleka njani eKosini. 33 Kodwana indoda etjhadileko itshwenyeka ngezinto zephasi,+ ukuthi ingamukeleka njani kumkayo, 34 begodu ihlukene phakathi. Ukungezelela kilokho, umfazi ongakatjhadi, kubandakanye noyintombi, utshwenyeka ngezinto zeKosi,+ bona acwengeke kokubili emzimbeni nemmoyenakhe. Kodwana umfazi otjhadileko utshwenyeka ngezinto zephasi, ukuthi angamukeleka njani endodenakhe. 35 Ngitjho lokhu bona kuzuze nina, ingasi bona nginivimbele* kodwana bona nginikhuthaze ekwenzeni okulungileko nokuthi nizinikele qobe eKosini ngaphandle kokuthikamezeka.

36 Kodwana nangabe umuntu ucabanga ukuthi uziphatha ngokungakafaneli ngokuhlala angakatjhadi* begodu nangabe sekadlule iminyaka yobutjha, nakhu okufuze kwenzeke: Akenze akufunako; akoni. Abatjhade.+ 37 Kodwana nangabe umuntu uyaneliseka ehliziywenakhe begodu ubona kungatlhogeki kodwana akghona ukuzilawula begodu aqunte ehliziywenakhe bona ahlale angakatjhadi,* uzokuphumelela.+ 38 Godu, nanyana ngubani otjhadako* wenza kuhle kodwana nanyana ngubani ongatjhadiko uzokwenza ngcono.+

39 Umfazi ubophekile indodakhe nayisaphilako.+ Kodwana indodakhe nayingahlongakala, utjhaphulukile bona angatjhada nananyana ngubani amfunako, kwaphela eKosini.+ 40 Kodwana ngombonwami, uyathaba nakahlala anjalo; begodu ngokuqinisekileko ngicabanga ukuthi nami nginommoya kaZimu.

8 Nje-ke malungana nokudla okunikelwe eenthombeni:+ Siyazi bona soke sinelwazi.+ Ilwazi lingabangela ukuzikhakhazisa, kodwana ithando liyakha.+ 2 Nangabe umuntu ucabanga ukuthi wazi okuthileko, akakakwazi njengombana kufuze akwazi. 3 Kodwana nangabe umuntu uthanda uZimu, uZimu uyamazi umuntu loyo.

4 Nje-ke malungana nokudla okunikelwe eenthombeni, siyazi ukuthi isithombe asisililitho+ ephasini nokuthi akakho omunye uZimu ngaphandle koyedwa.+ 5 Ngombana ngitjho nanyana kukhona okuthiwa bozimu, kungaba sezulwini namkha ephasini,+ njengombana “kunabozimu” abanengi “namakhosi” amanengi, 6 eqinisweni kithi kunoZimu munye,+ uBaba,+ okuvela kuye zoke izinto nathi esiphilela yena;+ begodu kuneKosi yinye, uJesu Krestu, okwenziwa ngaye zoke izinto+ nathi esikhona ngaye.

7 Akusingibo boke abantu abanelwazeli.+ Kodwana abanye, ngebanga lokobana phambilini bebalotjha iinthombe, badla ukudla njengento enikelelwe eenthombeni+ begodu unembezabo obogabogako, uyasilaphala.+ 8 Ukudla angeze kusitjhideze kuZimu;+ nasingadliko asilahlekelwa lilitho, namkha nasidlako asisingcono ngalitho.+ 9 Yelelani bona ilungelo lenu lokukhetha lingabi siqabo kilabo ababogabogako.+ 10 Ngombana nakungenzeka umuntu abone wena onelwazi udla ethempelini leenthombe, unembeza waloyo obogabogako angeze waqiniswa na kangangobana adle ukudla okunikelwe eenthombeni? 11 Yeke umfowenu obogabogako, loyo uKrestu amfelako,+ uyonakala ngebanga lelwazi lakho. 12 Nanona abafowenu ngalendlela nilimaze unembezabo obogabogako,+ nonela uKrestu. 13 Yeke nangabe ukudla kubogabogisa ukukholwa komfowethu, angekhe ngisayidla inyama godu, bona ngingabogabogisi ukukholwa kwakhe.+

9 Angikatjhaphuluki na? Angisimpostoli na? Angikaboni uJesu iKosethu?+ Anisimphumela womsebenzami eKosini? 2 Ngitjho nanyana ngingasimpostoli kwabanye kodwana kini nginguye! Ngombana nibufakazi obutjengisa ukuthi ngimpostoli eKosini.

3 Ngizivikela ngendlela elandelako kilabo abangiphenyako: 4 Sinelungelo lokudla nokusela, kghani akusinjalo? 5 Sinelungelo lokuphekelelwa mfazi okholwako*+ njengabo boke abapostoli nabafowabo beKosi+ noKhefasi,*+ kghani akusinjalo? 6 Namkha nguBharinabhasi+ nami kwaphela abanganalo ilungelo lokulisa umsebenzi wokuziphilisa? 7 Ngubani osebenza njengejoni ngeendleko zakhe na? Ngubani otjala isimu yamadiribe angadli isithelo sayo?+ Namkha ngubani olusa umhlambi, angaseli ibisi lomhlambakhe?

8 Kghani ngikhuluma izintwezi ngombono womuntu? Namkha umThetho nawo awukhulumi ngezintwezi na? 9 Kutloliwe emThethweni kaMosi ukuthi: “Lokha ikunzi nayibhulako ungayivali umlomo.”+ Kghani ziinkunzi uZimu atshwenyeke ngazo? 10 Namkha utjho lokhu ngebanga lethu? Eqinisweni bekutlolwe ngebanga lethu ngombana umuntu otjalako nomuntu obhulako kufuze benze njalo ngethemba lokufumana iinthoro.

11 Nasitjale izinto ezivela kuZimu kini, kghani akukalungi na ukufumana ezinye zezinto esizitlhogako kini?+ 12 Nangabe abanye abantu banelungelo lokwamukela okuthileko kini, thina akukafuzi samukele ngokungaphezu kwalokho na? Nanyana kunjalo, asikalisebenzisi ilungelweli+ kodwana sikghodlhelela zoke izinto bona singaliyi iindaba ezimnandi ezimalungana noKrestu.+ 13 Anazi na ukuthi abantu abenza imisebenzi ecwengileko badla izinto zethempelini, kuthi labo abasebenza qobe e-aldareni bafumana isabelo esivela e-aldareni?+ 14 Godu ngokunjalo-ke, iKosi yayala labo abamemezela iindaba ezimnandi bona baphile ngeendaba ezimnandi.+

15 Kodwana akhenge ngisebenzise nalinye lamalungiselelo la.+ Eqinisweni, akhenge ngitlole izintwezi bona lokhu kwenzelwe mina ngombana bekungaba ngcono ukufa kunokobana ngithathelwe ilungelo lami lokuzikhakhazisa!+ 16 Nje-ke nangabe ngimemezela iindaba ezimnandi, leli akusilibanga lokobana ngizikhakhazise ngombana ngingaphasi kwesibopho sokwenza njalo. Eqinisweni, maye! Kimi nangabe angizimemezeli iindaba ezimnandi.+ 17 Nangabe ngenza lokhu ngokuzithandela, ngizokufumana umvuzo kodwana ngitjho nanyana ngingakwenza ngingathandi, uZimu usangiphathise wona umsebenzi lo.+ 18 Nje-ke uyini umvuzwami? Kukuthi nangimemezela iindaba ezimnandi, nginikele iindaba ezimnandi ngaphandle kokubhadelisa, bona ngigegede ukusebenzisa kumbi ilungelo lami eendabeni ezimnandi.

19 Ngitjho nanyana ngitjhaphulukile ebantwini boke, ngizenze isigqila kibo boke, bona ngizuze abanengi ngendlela engingakghona ngayo. 20 EmaJudeni ngibe njengomJuda bona ngizuze amaJuda;+ kilabo abangaphasi komthetho ngibe njengongaphasi komthetho, ngitjho nanyana mina ngingekho ngaphasi komthetho, bona ngizuze labo abangaphasi komthetho.+ 21 Kilabo abanganamthetho ngibe njengonganamthetho, ngitjho nanyana ngingasi ngonganamthetho kuZimu kodwana ngingaphasi komthetho kuKrestu+ bona ngizuze labo abanganamthetho. 22 Kwababogabogako ngibe ngobogabogako bona ngizuze ababogabogako.+ Ngibe zizinto zoke ebantwini boke bona ngazo zoke iindlela ngisindise abanye. 23 Kodwana ngenza zoke izinto ngebanga leendaba ezimnandi bona ngizihlanganyele nabanye.+

24 Kghani anazi na ukuthi abagijimi emjarhweni boke bayagijima kodwana munye kwaphela ofumana unongorwana? Gijimani ngendlela yokobana nithumbe.+ 25 Boke abantu abasephaliswaneni* balwela ukuzibamba ezintweni zoke. Kwamambala, benza lokhu bona bafumane isihlohlo esitjhabalalako+ kodwana thina bona sifumane isihlohlo esingatjhabalaliko.+ 26 Nje-ke, angigijimi njengonganamnqopho,+ indlela enginqophisa ngayo amadubulwami ngeyokobana ngingabethi umoya 27 kodwana ngiyawudula* umzimbami+ ngiwenze isigqila, ukuthi nasele ngitjhumayele kwabanye, nami ngingafumaneki ngingamukeleki ngendlela ethileko.

10 Nje-ke bafowethu, ngifuna nazi bona abokhokho bethu boke bebangaphasi kwelifu+ nokuthi boke badlula elwandle+ 2 begodu boke babhajadiselwa kuMosi ngelifu nangelwandle, 3 boke badla ukudla okufanako okuvela kuZimu+ 4 begodu boke basela isiselo esifanako esivela kuZimu+ ngombana bebajayele ukusela edwaleni elivela kuZimu ebelibalandela, idwalelo bekunguKrestu.+ 5 Nanyana kunjalo, uZimu akhenge athabe ngenengi labo, labulawa emmangweni.+

6 Izintwezi zibe sibonelo kithi bona singafisi ukwenza okumbi, njengalabo ebebafisa ukwenza izinto ezimbi.+ 7 Ningabi babantu abalotjha iinthombe njengombana abanye babo bebenza ngombana kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Abantu bahlala phasi, badla bebasele. Ngemva kwalokho basikima ukuze bazithabise.”+ 8 Singaziphathi kumbi ngokomseme* njengombana abanye babo benza njalo, kwafa abantu abazii-23 000 ngelanga linye.+ 9 Asingamlingi uJehova*+ njengombana abanye babo bamlinga, balunywa ziinyoka bafa.+ 10 Singabi babantu abanghonghoyilako njengombana abanye babo banghonghoyila,+ babulawa mtjhabalalisi.+ 11 Nje-ke izintwezi zenzeka kibo bona zibe ziimbonelo, zatlolwa ukuze zibe siyeleliso kithi+ abafikelwe kuphela kwephaseli.

12 Ocabanga ukuthi ujamile akatjheje bona angawi.+ 13 Asikho isilingo esinifikelako abanye abangakhange baqalane naso.+ UZimu uthembekile begodu angekhe avume bona nilingwe ngokungaphezu kwalokho eningakuthwala+ kodwana nakufika isilingweso, uzokwenza nendlela yokuphuma kiso ukuze nikghone ukusikghodlhelela.+

14 Yeke bathandekako bami, balekelani ukulotjha iinthombe.+ 15 Nibabantu abanelemuko nje-ke ziqunteleni nina bona engikutjhoko kuliqiniso namkha awa. 16 Nasisela ikapho yesibusiso esiyibusisako, asihlanganyeli eengazini zakaKrestu na?+ Lokha nasihlephula uburotho, asihlanganyeli emzimbeni kaKrestu na?+ 17 Kunoburotho bunye, thina simzimba munye+ nanyana sibanengi ngombana soke sihlephulelana uburotho bunye.

18 Qala u-Israyeli ongokwemvelo: Kghani labo abadla imihlatjelo abahlanganyeli e-aldareni na?+ 19 Alo, ngitjho ukuthini? Kghani okuhlatjelwe isithombe kulilitho, namkha isithombe sililitho? 20 Awa kodwana ngithi lokho iintjhaba ezikwenza umhlatjelo, zikuhlabela amadimoni ingasi uZimu;+ angifuni nibe bahlanganyeli namadimoni.+ 21 Angeze nasela ikapho kaJehova* nekapho yamadimoni, angeze nadla “etafuleni lakaJehova”+ netafuleni lamadimoni. 22 Namkha ‘senza uJehova* abe nomona’?+ Kghani sinamandla kunaye?

23 Zoke izinto zivumelekile* kodwana akusizo zoke ezizuzisako. Zoke izinto zivumelekile kodwana akusizo zoke ezakhako.+ 24 Umuntu ngamunye akangazifuneli okuzuzisa yena kodwana okuzuzisa omunye umuntu.+

25 Yidlani nanyana yini ethengiswa esilarheni, ningabuzi ngebanga lakanembezenu 26 ngombana “iphasi nakho koke okukilo+ ngekwakaJehova.”* 27 Nangabe umuntu ongakholwako uyakumema begodu uyafuna ukuya, yidla nanyana yini ebekwa phambi kwakho, ungabuzi ngebanga lakanembezakho. 28 Kodwana nangabe umuntu uthi kuwe, “Inyama le ihlatjelwe iinthombe,” ungayidli ngebanga laloyo okutjelileko nangebanga lakanembeza.+ 29 Angitjho unembezakho kodwana womunye umuntu. Kubayini itjhaphulukwami kufuze yahlulelwe ngonembeza+ womunye umuntu? 30 Nangabe ngiyathokoza nangidlako, kubayini kufuze ngisolwe ngebanga lalokho engithokoza ngakho?+

31 Nje-ke nanyana niyadla namkha niyasela namkha nenza nanyana yini okhunye, koke kwenzeleni iphazimulo kaZimu.+ 32 Tjhejani bona ningabi siqabo emaJudeni nemaGirigini nebandleni lakaZimu,+ 33 njengombana ngilinga ukuthabisa boke abantu kizo zoke izinto, angizifuneli okuzuzisa mina+ kodwana okuzuzisa abanengi bona basindiswe.+

11 Ngilingisani njengombana nami ngilingisa uKrestu.+

2 Ngiyanibuka ngombana ezintweni zoke niyangikhumbula begodu niwakakarele amasiko njengombana ngawadlulisela kini. 3 Kodwana ngifuna nazi ukuthi ihloko yawo woke amadoda nguKrestu;+ ihloko yomfazi yindoda+ begodu ihloko kaKrestu nguZimu.+ 4 Indoda ethandaza namkha iphorofide inokuthileko phezu kwehlokwayo ihlazisa ihlokwayo 5 kodwana umfazi othandaza namkha aphorofide+ angakathwali ehloko uhlazisa ihlokwakhe ngombana kufana patsi nokuthi urhunile ehloko. 6 Ngombana umfazi nakangafuni ukuthwala, kufuze arhune iinhluthu zakhe zibe zincani khulu kodwana nangabe kulihlazo ngomfazi ukurhuna iinhluthu zakhe zibe zincani khulu namkha ukuzirhuna zoke, kufuze athwale.

7 Indoda akukafaneli ithwale ehloko ngombana imfanekiso+ nephazimulo kaZimu kodwana umfazi uyiphazimulo yendoda. 8 Indoda azange ivele emfazini kodwana umfazi uvele endodeni.+ 9 Ngaphezu kwalokho, indoda azange idalwe ngebanga lomfazi, kodwana umfazi wadalwa ngebanga lendoda.+ 10 Kungakho umfazi kufuze abe netshwayo lokuzithoba endodenakhe, ngebanga leengilozi.+

11 Ngaphandle kwalokho, malungana neKosi, umfazi angekhe abe khona ngaphandle kwendoda nendoda angekhe ibe khona ngaphandle komfazi. 12 Njengombana umfazi avela endodeni+ nendoda ibelethwa mfazi kodwana zoke izinto zivela kuZimu.+ 13 Yahlulelani ngokwenu: Kufanele na bona umfazi athandaze kuZimu angakathwali ehloko? 14 Imvelo ngokwayo ayinifundisi na ukuthi iinhluthu ezide zilihlazo endodeni 15 kodwana nangabe umfazi uneenhluthu ezide, kuyiphazimulo kuye? Ngombana unikelwe iinhluthu zakhe njengento yokuthwala ehloko. 16 Nanyana kunjalo, nangabe kukhona ofuna ukuphikisa asekele elinye isiko, asinalo elinye namabandla kaZimu awanalo.

17 Kodwana nanyana nginikela iinqophiswezi, anginibuki ngombana imihlanganwenu ibanga umonakalo omkhulu kunobuhle. 18 Kokuthoma, ngizwa batjho nanihlanganako ebandleni kunokuhlukana phakathi kwenu, ngokwezinga elithileko ngiyakukholwa lokho. 19 Ngombana nakanjani kuzokuba neentlamu phakathi kwenu,+ bona abanye benu abamukelwa nguZimu babonakale.

20 Nanibuthana endaweni yinye, kuhlekuhle anibuthaneli ukudla isiDlo seKosi saNtambama.+ 21 Ngombana nanisidlako, ngamunye udla isidlo sakhe santambama kusesengaphambili, kangangobana omunye ulambile kodwana omunye udakiwe. 22 Kghani aninazindlu eningadlela beniselele kizo? Namkha nidelela ibandla lakaZimu begodu niphathise abadududu iinhloni? Ngingathini kini? Nginibuke na? Kilokhu anginibuki.

23 Ngombana ngakufumana eKosini lokho engakudlulisela kini, ukuthi ngobusuku+ ebeyizokuthengiswa ngabo iKosi uJesu yathatha uburotho, 24 yathokoza uZimu, ngemva kwalokho yabuhlephula yathi: “Lokhu kutjho umzimbami,+ ozokunikelwa ngebanga lenu. Hlalani nikwenza lokhu bona ningikhumbule.”+ 25 Wenza okufanako nangekapho,+ ngemva kokudla isidlo santambama, wathi: “Ikapho le itjho isivumelwano esitjha+ esiqinisekiswa ngeengazi zami.+ Hlalani nikwenza lokhu, nanyana kunini naniyiselako bona ningikhumbule.”+ 26 Ngombana qobe nanidla uburothobu nisele nekapho le, nimemezela ukufa kweKosi, beyifike.

27 Nje-ke, nanyana ngubani odla uburotho namkha osela ikapho yeKosi ngokungakafaneli uzokuba mlandu malungana nomzimba neengazi zeKosi. 28 Ngemva kokuzihlolisisa+ umuntu akaqiniseke qangi bona uyafaneleka, ngemva kwalokho-ke angadla uburotho asele nekapho. 29 Ngombana loyo odla begodu asele kodwana angawulemuki umzimba uzidlela begodu aziselele isahlulelo. 30 Kungakho abanengi hlangana nani babogaboga begodu bagula, kanti abanengi balele ekufeni.*+ 31 Kodwana nasingalemuka lokho thina ngokwethu esingikho, angekhe sahlulelwe. 32 Kodwana nasahlulelwako, sikhalinywa nguJehova*+ bona singazokulahlwa nephasi.+ 33 Nje-ke bafowethu, nanihlanganako bona nidle isidlwesi, lindanani. 34 Nangabe kukhona olambileko, akadle ekhaya, ukuthi nanihlanganako ningahlanganeli isahlulelo.+ Malungana nezinye iindaba eziseleko, ngizozilungisa nangifika lapho.

12 Malungana nezipho ezivela kuZimu,+ bafowethu, angifuni bona ningabi nelwazi. 2 Niyazi ukuthi nanisesebabantu beentjhaba,* nayengwa begodu nadurhiselwa eenthombenezo ezingakhulumiko,+ nizilandela nanyana kukuphi lapho zinidosela khona. 3 Nje-ke ngifuna nazi ukuthi akunamuntu othi nakakhuluma ngommoya kaZimu athi: “UJesu uqalekisiwe” begodu akunamuntu ongathi: “UJesu uyiKosi” ngaphandle kobana aragwa mmoya ocwengileko.+

4 Kunezipho ezihlukahlukeneko kodwana kunommoya munye kwaphela;+ 5 godu kunemisebenzi ehlukahlukeneko+ kodwana kuneKosi yinye kwaphela 6 begodu kuneendlela ezihlukahlukeneko uZimu azisebenzisa ebantwini,+ nanyana kunjalo kunoZimu munye kwaphela. 7 Kodwana ukubonakaliswa kommoya kuphiwe umuntu ngamunye ngomnqopho ozuzisako.+ 8 Ngombana omunye uphiwe umlayezo wokuhlakanipha* ngommoya, omunye uphiwe umlayezo welwazi ngokuvumelana nommoya ofanako, 9 omunye ufumana ukukholwa+ ngommoya ofanako, omunye izipho zokulapha+ ngawo ummoya lowo, 10 omunye ukwenza imisebenzi yamandla,+ omunye ukuphorofida, omunye ikghono lokuzwisisa izinto eziphefumulelweko,+ omunye ukukhuluma amalimi ahlukahlukeneko,+ kuthi omunye ukutologa amalimi.+ 11 Kodwana yoke imisebenzi le yenziwa ngommoya ofanako lo, udlulisela amakghono la komunye nomunye umuntu ngokuthanda kwawo.

12 Njengombana umzimba umunye kodwana unezitho ezinengi, zoke izitho zomzimba lowo nanyana zizinengi zimzimba munye,+ unjalo-ke noKrestu. 13 Ngombana ngommoya munye soke sabhajadiselwa emzimbeni munye, ngitjho nanyana simaJuda namkha simaGirigi, siziingqila namkha sitjhaphulukile, soke senziwa bona sisele ummoya munye.

14 Ngombana eqinisweni, umzimba awakhiwa sisitho sinye kwaphela kodwana zizitho ezinengi.+ 15 Inyawo nalingathi, “Ngombana angisisisandla, angisiyingcenye yomzimba,” lokho akulenzi lingabi yingcenye yomzimba. 16 Godu indlebe nayingathi, “Ngombana angisililihlo, angisiyingcenye yomzimba,” lokho akuyenzi ingabi yingcenye yomzimba. 17 Ngathana woke umzimba bewulilihlo, besizokuzwa ngani? Ngathana woke umzimba bewuyindlebe, besizokunukelela ngani? 18 Kodwana uZimu uhlele isitho ngasinye somzimba saba ngendlela afuna sibe ngayo.

19 Ngathana zoke izitho bezifana, umzimba bewuzokuba kuphi? 20 Nje-ke kunezitho ezinengi, kodwana umzimba munye. 21 Ilihlo angekhe lathi esandleni, “Angikutlhogi,” namkha godu ihloko angekhe yathi enyaweni, “Angikutlhogi.” 22 Ngakwelinye ihlangothi, izitho zomzimba ezibonakala zibogaboga ziqakathekile, 23 begodu izitho zomzimba esicabanga bona azikahlonipheki kangako siziphatha kuhle,+ kuthi izitho ezingaqaleki kuhle kangako ziphathwa ngehlonipho ekulu, 24 kodwana izitho zethu eziqalekako azitlhogi litho. Nanyana kunjalo, uZimu ubumbe umzimba, anikela ihlonipho ekulu esithweni esingahlonitjhwako, 25 bona kungabi nokuhlukana emzimbeni, kodwana izitho zawo kufuze zitlhogomelane.+ 26 Nangabe isitho sinye siyatshwenyeka, zoke ezinye izitho zitshwenyeka naso;+ namkha nangabe isitho esithileko siyadunyiswa, zoke ezinye izitho zithaba naso.+

27 Nje-ke nina nimzimba kaKrestu+ begodu omunye nomunye wenu usisitho.+ 28 UZimu wabele abantu abahlukahlukeneko ebandleni: kokuthoma, abapostoli;+ kwesibili, abaphorofidi;+ kwesithathu, abafundisi;+ bese kulandela abenza imisebenzi yamandla;+ kuze abanezipho zokulapha;+ abenza imisebenzi emihle; abanamakghono wokunqophisa;+ nabakhuluma amalimi ahlukahlukeneko.+ 29 Kghani boke babapostoli? Kghani boke babaphorofidi? Kghani boke babafundisi? Kghani boke benza imisebenzi yamandla? 30 Kghani boke banezipho zokulapha? Kghani boke bakhuluma amalimi ahlukahlukeneko?+ Kghani boke babatologi?*+ 31 Kodwana ragelani phambili nifuna ngetjiseko izipho ezikulu.+ Begodu ngizonitjengisa indlela ezidlula zoke.+

13 Nangabe ngikhuluma ngamalimi wabantu neweengilozi kodwana nginganalo ithando, ngifana nesimbi ebanga itjhada namkha nesimbi ekekerezako. 2 Nangabe nginesipho sokuphorofida nokuzwisisa zoke iimfihlo ezicwengileko nalo loke ilwazi,+ nangabe nginokukholwa okuqinileko bona ngingatjhidisa iintaba kodwana nginganalo ithando, angisililitho.+ 3 Godu nangithengisa koke okungokwami bona ngiphe abanye+ begodu nangabe nginikela ngomzimbami bekube sekufeni bona ngizikhakhazise kodwana nginganalo ithando,+ angizuzi litho.

4 Ithando+ liyabekezela+ begodu linomusa.+ Ithando alinamona.+ Alizigqaji, alizikhakhazisi,+ 5 aliziphathi ngokungakafaneli,+ alizifuneli inzuzwalo,+ alisilingeki.+ Alinamavunda.+ 6 Alithabi ngokungalungi+ kodwana lithaba ngeqiniso. 7 Libekezelela zoke izinto,+ likholelwa zoke izinto,+ lithemba zoke izinto,+ likghodlhelela zoke izinto.+

8 Ithando angeze laphela. Nangabe kunezipho zokuphorofida zizokuqedwa; nangabe kunamalimi* azokuqedwa; nakunelwazi, lizokuqedwa. 9 Ngombana sinelwazi elingakapheleli+ begodu ukuphorofida kwethu akukapheleli 10 kodwana nakufika okupheleleko, okungakapheleli kuzokuqedwa. 11 Nangisesemntwana bengikhuluma njengomntwana, ngicabanga njengomntwana, nginomkhumbulo womntwana kodwana njengombana sengikhulile, ngilise yoke imikghwa yobuntwana. 12 Ngombana nje sibona lififi esibonibonini sesimbi kodwana ngesikhatheso kuzokuba bubuso nobuso. Kwanje ngazi kancani kodwana ngesikhatheso ngizokwazi ngokunembileko, njengombana ngaziwa ngokunembileko. 13 Nanyana kunjalo, njenganje kusele okuthathokhu: Ukukholwa, ithemba, nethando kodwana okukhulu kunakho koke lithando.+

14 Lwelani ukuba nethando, niragele phambili nifuna ngetjiseko izipho ezivela kuZimu kodwana khulukhulu isipho sokuphorofida.+ 2 Loyo okhuluma ngelinye ilimi akakhulumi nabantu, ukhuluma noZimu ngombana ukhuluma ifihlo ecwengileko+ ngommoya kodwana akekho olaleleko.+ 3 Nanyana kunjalo, loyo ophorofidako uyakha, akhuthaze begodu aduduze abantu ngalokho akutjhoko. 4 Loyo okhuluma ngelinye ilimi uzakha yena kodwana ophorofidako wakha ibandla. 5 Nje-ke ngingathanda bona noke nikhulume ngamanye amalimi+ kodwana nginyula bona niphorofide.+ Eqinisweni, ophorofidako mkhulu kunaloyo okhuluma ngamanye amalimi, ngaphandle kobana loyo okhuluma ngamanye amalimi atologe,* bona ibandla lakhiwe. 6 Kodwana njenganje bafowethu, nangingeza kini ngikhuluma ngamanye amalimi, ngibuphi ubuhle engizobenza ngaphandle kobana ngikhulume nani ngesambulo,+ ngelwazi,+ ngesiphorofido namkha ngefundiso na?

7 Kuyafana nangezinto ezingaphiliko ezenza itjhada, kungaba yifuludi namkha isidonodono. Ngaphandle kokuthi amatjhada wazo atjhidelane, kuzokwaziwa njani lokho okudlalwa ngefuludi namkha ngeharibha? 8 Ibhorompita nayenza itjhada elingazwakali kuhle, ngubani ozokulungela ukuya epini? 9 Ngokufanako, ngaphandle kobana nina enikhulumako nikhulume ngendlela ezwisiseka bulula, ngubani ozokuzwisisa lokho okutjhiwoko na? Eqinisweni nizabe nikhuluma emoyeni. 10 Kungaba kukuthi kunamalimi amanengi ahlukahlukeneko akhulunywako ephasini kodwana alikho nalinye elingazwisisekiko. 11 Ngombana nangingawuzwisisi umnqopho wokukhulunywako, ngizokuba mumuntu ovela kwenye inarha kiloyo okhulumako begodu loyo okhulumako uzokuba mumuntu ovela kwenye inarha kimi. 12 Nje-ke nani njengombana nifisa izipho zommoya, funani ngobunengi izipho ezizokwakha ibandla.+

13 Loyo okhuluma ngamalimi akathandazele bona atologe.*+ 14 Ngombana nangabe ngithandaza ngamalimi, sisipho sami sommoya esithandazako kodwana angikuzwisisi engikutjhoko. 15 Nje-ke, kufuze kwenziweni? Ngizokuthandaza ngesipho sommoya, godu ngithandaze nangomkhumbulwami. Ngizokubhina ngidumise ngesipho sommoya, godu ngizokubhina ngidumise ngomkhumbulwami. 16 Ngaphandle kwalokho nawudumisa ngesipho sommoya, umuntu ojayelekileko ophakathi kwenu uzokutjho njani ukuthi “Amen” emthandazwenakho wokuthokoza, njengombana angakuzwa okutjhoko? 17 Kwamambala uthandaza kuZimu ngendlela efaneleko kodwana omunye umuntu akakheki. 18 Ngithokoza uZimu bona ngikhuluma ngamalimi amanengi ukunidlula noke. 19 Nanyana kunjalo, ebandleni ngingamane ngikhulume amezwi amahlanu ngokuzwisisa kwami ukuthi ngifundise abanye, kunokobana ngikhulume amezwi aziinkulungwana ezilitjhumi ngelinye ilimi.+

20 Bafowethu ningabi bantwana ekuzwisiseni kwenu+ kodwana yibani bantwana kokumbi,+ nikhule ngokupheleleko ekuzwisiseni kwenu.+ 21 EmThethweni kutloliwe kwathiwa: “‘Ngamalimi wabantu abavela kwenye inarha nangemilomo yabangaziwako ngizokukhuluma nabantwaba, ngitjho nangesikhatheso bazokubhala ukungilalela,’ kutjho uJehova.”*+ 22 Amalimi awasilitshwayo labakholwako kodwana ngelabangakholwako,+ kukulapho isiphorofido singasi ngesabangakholwako kodwana ngesabakholwako. 23 Nangabe loke ibandla lihlangana endaweni yinye, boke bathome ukukhuluma ngamanye amalimi, bese kungene abantu abajayelekileko namkha abangakholwako, angekhe bathi niyarhapha na? 24 Kodwana nangabe noke niyaphorofida begodu kungene umuntu ongakholwako namkha umuntu ovamileko, uzokusolwa aphenyisiswe ngibo boke. 25 Iimfihlo ezisehliziywenakhe zizokuba sepepeneneni, bona akhothame begodu alotjhe uZimu, athi: “Kwamambala uZimu uhlangana nani.”+

26 Nje-ke bafowethu, kufuze kwenziweni? Nanihlanganako, omunye unerhubo, omunye unefundiso, omunye unesambulo, omunye ukhuluma elinye ilimi, kuthi omunye atologe.+ Zoke izinto azenzeke ngomnqopho wokwakhana. 27 Nangabe kukhona okhuluma elinye ilimi, abakhulume babe babili namkha babe bathathu kwaphela, badlhegane, kuthi omunye atologe.+ 28 Kodwana nangabe akekho umtoligi, kufuze athule ebandleni akakhulume noZimu ngehliziywenakhe. 29 Akukhulume abaphorofidi ababili namkha abathathu,+ abanye kufuze bazwisise lokho okutjhiwoko. 30 Nangabe omunye ufumana isambulo nakasahlezi lapho, isikhulumi sokuthoma asithule. 31 Ngombana noke ningaphorofida ngokudlhegana, ukuthi noke nifunde begodu noke nikhuthazeke.+ 32 Izipho zommoya zabaphorofidi kufuze zilawulwe baphorofidi. 33 Ngombana uZimu akasinguZimu wehlangahlangano kodwana ngewokuthula.+

Njengakiwo woke amabandla wabacwengileko, 34 abafazi abathule emabandleni ngombana akukavumeleki ngabo bona bakhulume.+ Kunalokho, abazithobe+ njengombana nomThetho utjho njalo. 35 Nangabe bafuna ukufunda okuthileko, ababuze amadodabo ekhaya, ngombana kulihlazo ngomfazi bona akhulume ebandleni.

36 Kghani ilizwi lakaZimu lavela kini, namkha lifikelele nina kwaphela na?

37 Nangabe umuntu ucabanga ukuthi umphorofidi namkha unesiphiwo sommoya, kufuze amukele ukuthi izinto enginitlolela zona zimiyalo yeKosi. 38 Kodwana nangabe umuntu uyakuphika lokhu, naye uzokuphikwa.* 39 Nje-ke bafowethu, ragelani phambili nokulwela ukuphorofida+ kodwana ningakuvimbeli ukukhuluma ngamanye amalimi.+ 40 Zoke izinto azenzeke ngokufaneleko nangokuhleleka.+

15 Nje-ke ngiyanikhumbuza bafowethu ngeendaba ezimnandi engizimemezele kini,+ nani enizamukeleko, nadzimelela kizo. 2 Ngeendaba ezimnandezi engizimemezele kini nisindisiwe nanibambelele kizo, nakungasinjalo nizabe nikholelwe ilize.

3 Ngombana hlangana nezinto zokuthoma enganinikela zona, ngilezo nami engazamukelako, ukuthi uKrestu wafela izono zethu ngokuya ngemiTlolo+ 4 nokuthi wabulungwa+ kodwana wavuswa+ ngelanga lesithathu+ ngokuya ngemiTlolo+ 5 wabonakala kuKhefasi,*+ ngemva kwalokho kwabaliTjhumi namBili.+ 6 Ngemva kwalokho wabonakala kubafowethu abangaphezu kwama-500 ngesikhathi sinye,+ inengi labo lisesenathi nanyana abanye sebalala ekufeni. 7 Wabonakala kuJakopo,+ bese kibo boke abapostoli.+ 8 Ekugcineni wabonakala nakimi+ kwanga ngibelethwe ngaphambi kwesikhathi.

9 Ngombana ngingomncani ebapostolini begodu akukangifaneli ukubizwa ngokuthi ngimpostoli ngombana ngahlunguphaza ibandla lakaZimu.+ 10 Kodwana ngomusa omkhulu kaZimu ngingilokhu engingikho. Umusakhe omkhulu bewungasililize kimi, ngasebenza ukubadlula boke kodwana bekungasi ngimi, bekumumusa omkhulu kaZimu okimi. 11 Nanyana kungimi namkha kungibo, le yindlela esitjhumayela ngayo, yindlela enakholwa ngayo.

12 Nangabe kutjhunyayelwa bona uKrestu uvusiwe kwabafileko,+ kuza njani ukuthi abanye hlangana nani bathi abafileko angekhe bavuswe? 13 Nangabe kwamambala abafileko angekhe bavuswe, yeke uKrestu akhenge avuswe. 14 Kodwana nangabe uKrestu akhenge avuswe, ukutjhumayela kwethu ngokuqinisekileko kulilize, nokukholwa kwenu kulilize. 15 Nathi kutjho bona sibofakazi bamala bakaZimu+ ngombana sifakaze ngoZimu ukuthi wavusa uKrestu,+ loyo angakhenge amvuse nangabe kwamambala abafileko angekhe bavuswe. 16 Nangabe abafileko angekhe bavuswe noKrestu akhenge avuswe. 17 Ngaphezu kwalokho, nangabe uKrestu akhenge avuswe, ukukholwa kwenu kulilize; nihlala ezonweni zenu.+ 18 Nalabo abalele ekufeni basebunyeni noKrestu batjhabalele.+ 19 Nangabe sinethemba kuKrestu ngokuphilokhu kwaphela, kufuze sirhawukelwe ukudlula abanye.

20 Nje-ke uKrestu uvusiwe kwabafileko, yena osithelo sokuthoma salabo abalele ekufeni.+ 21 Njengombana ukufa kweza ngomuntu,+ nokuvuswa kwabafileko kuza ngomuntu.+ 22 Njengombana ku-Adamu boke bayafa,+ nakuKrestu boke bazokufumana ukuphila.+ 23 Kodwana ngamunye ngedlhego lakhe elifaneleko: UKrestu sithelo sokuthoma,+ ngemva kwalokho kube ngilabo abangebakaKrestu phakathi nokuba khona kwakhe.+ 24 Ngokulandelako kube siphetho, lokha nakanikela umBuso kuZimakhe uYise, nasekaqede yoke imibuso nalo loke ilawulo namandla.+ 25 Ngombana kufuze abuse njengekosi bekube kulapho uZimu sekabeke zoke izitha ngaphasi kweenyawo zakhe.+ 26 Isitha sokugcina esizokuqedwa kukufa.+ 27 Ngombana uZimu “ubeke zoke izinto ngaphasi kweenyawo zakhe.”+ Kodwana nakathi “ubeke zoke izinto ngaphasi,”+ kuyakhanya bona lokhu akufaki uZimu phakathi, loyo obeke zoke izinto ngaphasi kwakhe.+ 28 UZimu nasele abeke koke ngaphasi kweNdodanakhe, neNdodana leyo izozibeka ngaphasi kwakaZimu okunguye obeke zoke izinto ngaphasi kwayo+ bona uZimu abe zizinto zoke kiwo woke umuntu.+

29 Nakunjalo, bazokwenzani labo ababhajadiswa ngomnqopho wokuba ngabahlongakeleko?+ Nangabe abahlongakeleko angekhe bavuswa nakanye, kubayini babhajadiswa ngomnqopho wokuba njalo? 30 Kubayini nathi sisengozini ngaso soke isikhathi?+ 31 Qobe langa ngiqalana nokufa. Ngitjho lokhu ngombana ningenza ngithabe bafowethu, ngethabo enginalo kuKrestu Jesu iKosethu. 32 Nangabe njengabanye abantu,* ngalwa neembandana e-Efesu,+ kungisiza ngani lokho? Nangabe abafileko angekhe bavuswe, “asidleni, sisele ngombana kusasa sizokufa.”+ 33 Ningakhohliswa. Ukuzihlanganisa nabantu abambi konakalisa ukuziphatha okuhle.*+ 34 Qaqulukani ngendlela elungileko, ningenzi isono ngombana abanye abanalo ilwazi ngoZimu. Ngitjho lokhu bona nginiphathise iinhloni.

35 Nanyana kunjalo, omunye uzokuthi: “Abafileko bazokuvuswa njani? Bazokuvuswa ngomzimba onjani?”+ 36 Muntu onganangqondo! Okutjalako akwenziwa kuphile ngaphandle kobana kufe qangi. 37 Malungana nalokhu okutjalileko, akhange utjale umzimba ozokumila kodwana utjale ithoro kwaphela, kungaba ngeyekoroyi namkha omunye umhlobo wembewu 38 kodwana uZimu uyinikela umzimba ngendlela athanda ngayo, unikela imbewu ngayinye umzimbayo. 39 Akusiyo yoke inyama efanako, kunenyama yabantu, kunenyama yekomo, kunenyama yenyoni nenyama yehlambi. 40 Kunemizimba yezulwini+ nemizimba yephasini+ kodwana iphazimulo yemizimba yezulwini ingomunye umhlobo, neyemizimba yephasini ingomunye umhlobo ohlukileko. 41 Iphazimulo yelanga ilihlobo elinye, iphazimulo yenyezi ingelinye+ nephazimulo yeenkwekwezi ingelinye. Iphazimulo yenye ikwekwezi ihlukile kwenye.

42 Kungokufanako nangokuvuswa kwabafileko. Umzimba utjalwa unokonakala, uvuswa unganakho ukonakala.+ 43 Utjalwa usehlazweni, uvuswa usephazimulweni.+ Utjalwa ubogaboga; uvuswa usemandleni.+ 44 Utjalwa umzimba wenyama; uvuswa umzimba wommoya. Nangabe ukhona umzimba wenyama, ukhona newommoya. 45 Nje-ke kutloliwe kwathiwa: “Umuntu wokuthoma u-Adamu waba mumuntu* ophilako.”+ U-Adamu wokugcina waba mmoya onikela ukuphila.+ 46 Nanyana kunjalo, kommoya akusingekokuthoma. Kwenyama ngikho kokuthoma, bese kulandela kommoya. 47 Umuntu wokuthoma uvela ephasini begodu wenziwe ngethuli;+ umuntu wesibili uvela ezulwini.+ 48 Indlela umuntu owenziwe ngethuli angayo, banjalo nalabo abenziwe ngethuli; indlela umuntu owavela ezulwini angayo, banjalo nalabo abangebezulwini.+ 49 Njengombana senziwe safana naloyo owenziwe ngethuli,+ godu sizokufana naloyo ovela ezulwini.+

50 Kodwana nginitjela lokhu bafowethu, inyama neengazi angeze zawuzuza njengelifa umBuso kaZimu, nokonakala angeze kwazuza njengelifa ukungonakali. 51 Qalani! Nginitjela ifihlo ecwengileko: Angekhe silale ekufeni soke, kodwana soke sizokutjhugululwa,+ 52 ngokuphazima kwelihlo nakulila ibhorompita yamaswaphela. Ngombana ibhorompita izokulila,+ abahlongakeleko bazokuvuswa banganakho ukonakala begodu sizokutjhugululwa. 53 Ngombana lokhu okonakalako kufuze kwembathe ukungonakali,+ lokhu okufako kufuze kwembathe ukungafi.+ 54 Kodwana lokhu okonakalako nakumbatha ukungonakali nalokhu okufako kwembatha ukungafi, kuzabe kuzaliseke amezwi athi: “Ukufa kuginyiwe bekube ngokungapheliko.”+ 55 “Kufa, kuphi ukuhlula kwakho? Kufa, kuphi ukutinyela kwakho?”+ 56 Ukutinyela okuveza ukufa sisono,+ namandla wesono mThetho.*+ 57 Akathokozwe uZimu ngombana usinikela ukuhlula ngeKosethu uJesu Krestu!+

58 Nje-ke bafowethu abathandekako, dzimelelani,+ ningasikinyeki, nihlale ninokunengi kokukwenza+ emsebenzini weKosi, nazi ukuthi ukusebenza budisi kwenu akusililize+ eKosini.

16 Malungana nokubuthelelwa kwemali yabacwengileko,+ ningalandela iinqophiso engazinikela amabandla weGalatiya. 2 Ngelanga lokuthoma lenye nenye iveke, ngamunye wenu akabekele ngeqadi okuthileko kuye ngamandlakhe, bona ukubuthelelwa kwemali kungenzeki nangifikako. 3 Nangifika lapho, ngizokuthumela amadoda enawanyulako eencwadini zenu+ bona akhambise isipho senu somusa eJerusalema. 4 Nangabe kubonakala kungcono bona nami ngiye lapho, ngizokukhamba nawo.

5 Nasele ngidlule eMasedoniya,+ ngizokuza kini ngombana nginqophe ukudlula ngakhona; 6 mhlamunye ngizokuhlala nani isikhatjhana, nakungenzeka bengihlale nani ubusika boke, ukuthi ningiphekelele kancani lapho engizabe ngiya khona. 7 Okwanje angifuni ukunibona, ngidlula kwaphela ngombana ngikhanuka ukuhlalahlala nani,+ nangabe uJehova* uyavuma. 8 Kodwana ngizokuhlala e-Efesu+ bekube mNyanya wePentekoste 9 ngombana ngivulelwe umnyango omkhulu+ orholela emsebenzini kodwana kunabaphikisi abanengi.

10 Nje-ke uThimothi+ nakangafika, qinisekani ukuthi akasabi litho nakaphakathi kwenu ngombana wenza umsebenzi kaJehova*+ njengami. 11 Yeke, kungabi khona omnyazako. Nimkhambise ngokuthula, bona eze kimi ngombana ngimlindile nginabafowethu.

12 Malungana nomfowethu u-Apholo,+ ngimkhuthaze khulu bona eze kini nabafowethu. Bekangakanqophi ukuza kini nje kodwana uzokuza nakafumana ithuba.

13 Hlalani niphapheme,+ dzimelelani ekukholweni,+ nibe nesibindi,+ nibe namandla.+ 14 Koke enikwenzako kwenzeni ngethando.+

15 Nje-ke ngiyanikhuthaza bafowethu: Niyazi ukuthi bendlu kaStefana baziinthelo zokuthoma ze-Akhaya nokuthi bazinikela ekusizeni abacwengileko. 16 Kwanga ningaragela phambili nizithoba ebantwini abanjalo nakibo boke ababambiseneko begodu abasebenza budisi.+ 17 Ngiyathaba ngokuthi nginoStefana,+ uFortunatu no-Akhayiko ngombana basivalile isikhala sokungabi khona kwenu lapha. 18 Bawuvuselele ummoyami nowenu. Yeke, ahlonipheni amadoda anjalo.

19 Amabandla we-Asiya ayanilotjhisa. U-Akhwila noPeresila nebandla elisemzinabo+ banilotjhisa ngokusuka ehliziyweni eKosini. 20 Boke abafowethu bayanilotjhisa. Lotjhisanani ngokumangana okucwengileko.

21 Nje-ke mina Powula, ngitlola kwami ukulotjhisa ngesandla sami.

22 Nangabe kukhona ongayithandi iKosi, akaqalekiswe. Yewuze Kosethu! 23 Umusa omkhulu weKosi uJesu awube nani. 24 Ithando lami alibe nani noke ebunyeni noKrestu Jesu.