Saved in Order to Do Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Final Remarks
12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Kutenda Mema
13:1 Rum 13:1; 2Tim 2:21Wakumbushe watu kuwanyenyekea watawala na kuwatii wenye mamlaka, wawe tayari kutenda kila lililo jema. 23:2 Efe 4:31; 2Tim 2:24Wasimnenee mtu yeyote mabaya, wasiwe wagomvi, bali wawe wapole, wakionyesha unyenyekevu kwa watu wote.
33:3 Efe 2:2, 5, 8; 1Kor 6:11Maana sisi wenyewe wakati fulani tulikuwa wajinga, wasiotii, tukiwa watumwa wa tamaa mbaya na anasa za kila aina. Tuliishi katika uovu na wivu, tukichukiwa na kuchukiana sisi kwa sisi. 43:4 Efe 2:7; Tit 2:11; Mit 8:31; 1Tim 2:3Lakini wema na upendo wa Mungu Mwokozi wetu ulipofunuliwa, 53:5 Efe 2:9; Rum 12:2; 3:20; 9:11; Gal 2:16; 2Tim 1:9; Yn 3:3, 5alituokoa, si kwa sababu ya matendo ya haki tuliyotenda, bali kwa sababu ya rehema zake. Alituokoa kwa kutuosha kwa kuzaliwa mara ya pili na kwa kufanywa wapya kwa njia ya Roho Mtakatifu, 63:6 Rum 5:5; Eze 36:25; Yoe 2:28; Yn 1:16; Mdo 2:33; 10:45ambaye Mungu alitumiminia kwa wingi kwa njia ya Yesu Kristo Mwokozi wetu, 73:7 Rum 3:24; 8:24; Tit 1:2ili kwamba, tukiisha kuhesabiwa haki kwa neema yake, tupate kuwa warithi tukiwa na tumaini la uzima wa milele. 83:8 1Tim 1:15; Tit 2:14Hili ni neno la kuaminiwa. Nami nataka uyasisitize mambo haya, ili wale ambao wamemwamini Mungu wapate kuwa waangalifu kujitoa kwa ajili ya kutenda mema wakati wote. Mambo haya ni mazuri tena ya manufaa kwa kila mtu.
93:9 1Tim 1:14; 2Tim 2:14Lakini jiepushe na maswali ya kipuzi, mambo ya koo, mabishano na ugomvi kuhusu sheria, kwa sababu hayana faida, tena ni ubatili. 103:10 Rum 16:17; 2Kor 13:2; Mt 18:17; 2The 3:6, 14; 2Tim 3:5; Yn 10Mtu anayesababisha mafarakano, mwonye mara ya kwanza, kisha mwonye mara ya pili. Baada ya hapo, usihusike naye tena. 113:11 Mdo 13:46; 1Tim 6:4, 5Kwa kuwa unajua kwamba mtu kama huyo amepotoka na tena ni mwenye dhambi. Yeye amejihukumu mwenyewe.
Maneno Ya Mwisho Na Kumtamkia Baraka
123:12 Mdo 20:4; 2Tim 4:9, 21Mara nitakapomtuma Artema au Tikiko kwako, jitahidi kuja unione huko Nikopoli, kwa sababu nimeamua kukaa huko wakati wa majira ya baridi. 133:13 Mdo 18:24Fanya kila uwezalo uwasafirishe Zena yule mwanasheria na Apolo na uhakikishe kwamba wana kila kitu wanachohitaji katika safari yao. 14Watu wetu hawana budi kujifunza kutenda mema, ili waweze kuyakimu mahitaji ya kila siku, wasije wakaishi maisha yasiyokuwa na matunda.
153:15 1Tim 1:2; Kol 4:18Wote walio pamoja nami wanakusalimu. Wasalimu wale wanaotupenda katika imani.
Neema iwe nanyi nyote. Amen.
