EYOKUQALA KWABASEKORINTE

1 Mina Pawulu, owabizelwa ukuba umphostoli + kaKristu Jesu ngentando kaNkulunkulu, kanye noSostene umfowethu, 2 ebandleni likaNkulunkulu eliseKorinte, + kini eningcweliswe ebunyeni noKristu Jesu, + nabizelwa ukuba nibe abangcwele, kanye nabo bonke ababiza igama leNkosi yethu, uJesu Kristu, + iNkosi yabo neyethu, yonke indawo:

3 Kwangathi ningaba nomusa omkhulu* nokuthula okuvela kuNkulunkulu uBaba wethu naseNkosini uJesu Kristu.

4 Ngimbonga ngaso sonke isikhathi uNkulunkulu wami ngomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu enawuphiwa kuKristu Jesu; 5 ngenxa yokuthi ezintweni zonke nicebile ngenxa yobuhlobo eninabo naye, ekhonweni lokukhuluma nasolwazini olugcwele, + 6 njengoba nje ubufakazi mayelana noKristu + benziwe baqina phakathi kwenu, 7 kangangokuthi anintuli nakancane kunoma yisiphi isipho, kuyilapho nilindele ngokulangazela ukwambulwa kweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu. + 8 Izoniqinisa kuze kube sekugcineni, ukuze nibe abangasoleki ngosuku lweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu. + 9 UNkulunkulu uthembekile, + lowo owanibiza ukuba nihlanganyele kanye neNdodana yakhe uJesu Kristu iNkosi yethu.

10 Manje ngiyanincenga bazalwane, ngegama leNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu, ukuba nonke nikhulume ngokuvumelana, nokuba kungabi nakuhlukana phakathi kwenu, + kodwa ukuba nibe munye ngokuphelele emqondweni ofanayo nasendleleni efanayo yokucabanga. + 11 Ngoba abanye endlini kaKlowe bangitshelile ukuthi kukhona ukungezwani phakathi kwenu bafowethu. 12 Engikushoyo yilokhu, yilowo nalowo kini uthi: “Mina ngingokaPawulu,” “Mina ngingoka-Apholo,” + “Mina ngingokaKhefase,”* “Mina ngingokaKristu.” 13 Ingabe uKristu uhlukene phakathi? UPawulu akazange abulawelwe esigxotsheni ngenxa yenu, akunjalo? Noma, ingabe nabhapathizwa egameni likaPawulu? 14 Ngibonga uNkulunkulu ngokuthi angibhapathizanga noyedwa wenu ngaphandle kukaKrispu + noGayu, + 15 ukuze kungabi namuntu ongase athi nabhapathizwa egameni lami. 16 Yebo, ngabhapathiza nomndeni kaStefana + futhi. Mayelana nabo bonke abanye, angazi noma ukhona yini omunye engambhapathiza. 17 Ngoba uKristu akangithumanga ukuba ngiyobhapathiza, kodwa ukuba ngiyomemezela izindaba ezinhle; + kungabi ngenkulumo yokuhlakanipha, ukuze isigxobo sokuhlushwa* sikaKristu singenziwa into engenamsebenzi.

18 Ngoba inkulumo ephathelene nesigxobo sokuhlushwa* iwubuwula kwababhubhayo, + kodwa kithi esisindiswayo ingamandla kaNkulunkulu. + 19 Ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ngizokwenza ukuhlakanipha kwabantu abahlakaniphile kushabalale, nokukhalipha kongqondongqondo ngizokwenqaba.” *+ 20 Uphi umuntu ohlakaniphile? Uphi umbhali?* Uphi umphikisi waleli zwe?* UNkulunkulu akazange yini akwenze ubuwula ukuhlakanipha kwezwe? 21 Ngoba, njengoba ekuhlakanipheni kukaNkulunkulu, izwe lingazange limazi uNkulunkulu + ngokuhlakanipha kwalo, + uNkulunkulu wajatshuliswa ukuthi ngobuwula + balokho okushunyayelwayo asindise abakholwayo.

22 Ngoba amaJuda acela izibonakaliso + namaGreki afuna ukuhlakanipha; 23 kodwa thina sishumayela ngoKristu owabulawelwa esigxotsheni, oyimbangela yokukhubeka kumaJuda kodwa owubuwula ezizweni. + 24 Nokho, kwababiziwe, kokubili amaJuda namaGreki, uKristu ungamandla kaNkulunkulu nokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu. + 25 Ngoba izinto zikaNkulunkulu abantu abazibheka njengeziwubuwula zihlakaniphile kunabantu, nezinto zikaNkulunkulu abantu abazibheka njengezibuthakathaka zinamandla kunabantu. +

26 Ukunibiza kwakhe niyakubona, bafowethu, ukuthi ababaningi abahlakaniphile ngendlela yenyama, *+ ababaningi abanamandla, ababaningi abazalwa yizicukuthwane, *+ 27 kodwa uNkulunkulu wakhetha izinto eziwubuwula zezwe ukuze ahlazise abantu abahlakaniphile; uNkulunkulu wakhetha izinto ezibuthakathaka zezwe ukuze ahlazise izinto ezinamandla; + 28 uNkulunkulu wakhetha izinto ezingabalulekile zezwe nezinto ezibukelwa phansi, izinto ezingekho, ukuze enze izinto ezikhona zibe yize, + 29 ukuze kungabi bikho muntu oziqhayisayo phambi kukaNkulunkulu. 30 Kodwa kungenxa yakhe ukuthi nimunye noKristu Jesu, osewukuhlakanipha okuvela kuNkulunkulu kithi, kanye nokulunga + nokungcweliswa + nokukhululwa ngesihlengo, + 31 ukuze kube njengoba nje kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Oziqhayisayo makaziqhayise ngoJehova.” *+

2 Ngakho lapho ngifika kini bazalwane, angifikanga nenkulumo yokubukisa + noma nokuhlakanipha ngimemezela imfihlo engcwele + kaNkulunkulu kini. 2 Ngoba nganquma ukungazi lutho phakathi kwenu ngaphandle kukaJesu Kristu, nokuthi wabulawelwa esigxotsheni. + 3 Ngafika kini ngobuthakathaka nokwesaba nangokuthuthumela okukhulu; 4 inkulumo yami nalokho engakushumayela kwakungewona amazwi okuhlakanipha athonyayo kodwa kwakuwukuboniswa komoya namandla, + 5 ukuze ukholo lwenu lungasekelwa ekuhlakanipheni kwabantu, kodwa emandleni kaNkulunkulu.

6 Manje sikhuluma ukuhlakanipha phakathi kwalabo abavuthiwe, + kodwa hhayi ukuhlakanipha kwaleli zwe* noma okwababusi baleli zwe, abazoba yize. + 7 Kodwa sikhuluma ukuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu okusemfihlweni engcwele, + ukuhlakanipha okufihliwe, uNkulunkulu akumisa kusengaphambili ngaphambi kwezinkathi* ukuze kukhazinyuliswe thina. 8 Yilokhu kuhlakanipha okungekho noyedwa kubabusi baleli zwe* owakwazi, + ngoba ukube bakwazi ngabe abazange bayibulale* iNkosi ekhazimulayo. 9 Kodwa njengoba nje kulotshiwe: “Iso alizibonanga nendlebe ayizizwanga, futhi azizange zicatshangwe enhliziyweni yomuntu izinto uNkulunkulu azilungisele labo abamthandayo.” + 10 Ngoba uNkulunkulu uzambulele thina + ngomoya wakhe, + ngoba umoya uhlola zonke izinto, ngisho nezinto ezijulile zikaNkulunkulu. +

11 Ngoba ubani phakathi kwabantu owazi izinto zomuntu ngaphandle komoya womuntu okuye? Kanjalo futhi, akekho owazi izinto zikaNkulunkulu, ngaphandle komoya kaNkulunkulu. 12 Manje asamukelanga umoya wezwe, kodwa umoya ovela kuNkulunkulu, + ukuze sazi izinto esizinikwe uNkulunkulu ngomusa. 13 Lezi zinto siyazikhuluma futhi, hhayi ngamazwi esiwafundiswe ukuhlakanipha kwabantu, + kodwa ngamazwi esiwafundiswe umoya, + njengoba sichaza* izindaba ezimayelana noNkulunkulu ngamazwi kaNkulunkulu.*

14 Kodwa umuntu wenyama akazamukeli izinto zomoya kaNkulunkulu ngoba ziwubuwula kuye; futhi akanakuzazi ngoba zihlolwa ngokomoya. 15 Nokho, umuntu oqondiswa umoya kaNkulunkulu uhlola zonke izinto + kodwa yena ngokwakhe akahlolwa muntu. 16 Ngoba “ubani osewazi umqondo kaJehova* ukuba angamfundisa?” + Kodwa sinawo umqondo kaKristu. +

3 Ngakho bafowethu, angikwazanga ukukhuluma nani njengokungathi ngikhuluma nabantu abaqondiswa umoya kaNkulunkulu, + kodwa njengabantu abalandela izifiso zenyama, njengezinsana + kuKristu. 2 Nganondla ngobisi, hhayi ngokudla okuqinile, ngoba naningakaqini ngokwanele. Eqinisweni, namanje anikaqini ngokwanele, + 3 ngoba nisengabantu abalandela izifiso zenyama. + Ngoba njengoba kukhona umhawu nombango phakathi kwenu, anibona yini abalandela izifiso zenyama + futhi anihambi yini njengoba kuhamba abantu? 4 Ngoba uma omunye ethi, “Mina ngingokaPawulu,” kodwa omunye athi, “Mina ngingoka-Apholo,” + anenzi yini njengabantu abavamile?

5 Ungubani-ke u-Apholo? Ungubani uPawulu? Yizikhonzi + enaba amakholwa ngazo, njengoba nje iNkosi yanikeza umuntu ngamunye. 6 Mina ngatshala, + u-Apholo wanisela, + kodwa uNkulunkulu waqhubeka ekhulisa, 7 ngakho lowo otshalayo akalutho nalowo oniselayo akalutho, kodwa uNkulunkulu okhulisayo nguye owutho. + 8 Lowo otshalayo nalowo oniselayo bamunye,* kodwa umuntu ngamunye uyokwamukela umvuzo wakhe ngokomsebenzi wakhe. + 9 Ngoba siyizisebenzi ezikanye noNkulunkulu. Nina niyinsimu kaNkulunkulu elinywayo, isakhiwo sikaNkulunkulu. +

10 Ngokomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu engaphiwa wona, ngabeka isisekelo + njengomakhi ohlakaniphile oyingcweti,* kodwa omunye umuntu wakhela phezu kwaso. Kodwa yilowo nalowo makaqhubeke ebheka indlela akhela ngayo phezu kwaso. 11 Ngoba akekho ongabeka esinye isisekelo ngaphandle kwaleso esibekiwe, esinguJesu Kristu. + 12 Uma umuntu akhela phezu kwalesi sisekelo igolide, isiliva, amatshe ayigugu, ukhuni, utshani obomisiwe noma izinhlanga, 13 umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye uyovezwa ngokwalokho oyikho,* ngoba usuku luyowuveza, ngoba uyokwambulwa ngomlilo, + umlilo uyobonisa ukuthi umsebenzi womuntu ngamunye uluhlobo luni. 14 Uma umsebenzi womuntu awakhele phezu kwaso usala, uyothola umvuzo; 15 uma umsebenzi womuntu usha, uyolahlekelwa, kodwa yena uyosindiswa; nokho uma kunjalo, kuyoba njengokungathi udabule emlilweni.

16 Anazi yini ukuthi nina niyithempeli likaNkulunkulu, + nokuthi umoya kaNkulunkulu uhlala kini? + 17 Uma umuntu ebhidliza ithempeli likaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu uyombhubhisa; ngoba ithempeli likaNkulunkulu lingcwele, futhi nina niyilelo thempeli. +

18 Makungabikho muntu ozikhohlisayo: Uma othile phakathi kwenu ecabanga ukuthi uhlakaniphile kuleli zwe,* makabe yisiwula, ukuze ahlakaniphe. 19 Ngoba ukuhlakanipha kwaleli zwe kuwubuwula kuNkulunkulu, ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ubamba abahlakaniphile ebuqilini babo.” + 20 Nokuthi futhi: “UJehova* uyazi ukuthi imicabango yabantu abahlakaniphile iyize.” + 21 Ngakho makungabikho muntu oziqhayisa ngabantu; ngoba zonke izinto zingezenu, 22 kungakhathaliseki ukuthi uPawulu noma u-Apholo noma uKhefase *+ noma yizwe noma ukuphila noma ukufa noma izinto ezikhona manje noma izinto ezizayo, zonke izinto zingezenu; 23 nina ningabakaKristu; + uKristu yena ungokaNkulunkulu.

4 Umuntu kufanele asibheke njengezikhonzi zikaKristu nabaphathi bezimfihlo ezingcwele zikaNkulunkulu. + 2 Ngenxa yalokho, okulindelekile kubaphathi ukuthi batholakale bethembekile. 3 Kuyinto engabalulekile kangako kimi ukuthi ngihlolwe yinina noma yinkantolo yabantu.* Empeleni, kwamina angizihloli. 4 Ngokwazi kwami akukho okubi engikwenzile. Kodwa lokho akufakazeli ukuthi ngilungile; ongihlolayo uJehova. *+ 5 Ngakho, ningahluleli + lutho ngaphambi kwesikhathi esifanele, kuze kufike iNkosi. Iyoletha izinto ezifihlekile zobumnyama ekukhanyeni futhi yenze izinhloso zenhliziyo zaziwe, khona-ke yilowo nalowo uyothola udumo lwakhe luvela kuNkulunkulu. +

6 Manje bazalwane, ngikhulume lezi zinto ngisebenzisa igama lami nelika-Apholo + ukuze kuzuze nina, ukuze nifunde lo mthetho ngokuqondene nathi: “Ungeqeli ngale kwezinto ezilotshiwe,” ukuze ningakhukhumali niqhoshe, + nibheka omunye njengongcono kunomunye. 7 Ngoba ubani okwenza uhluke komunye? Yini onayo ongazange uyamukele? + Uma ngempela uyamukele, kungani uziqhayisa njengokungathi awuzange uyamukele?

8 Nina senanelisekile kakade? Senicebile kakade? Seniqalile yini ukubusa njengamakhosi + ngaphandle kwethu? Ngempela ngifisa sengathi ngabe seniqalile ukubusa njengamakhosi, ukuze nathi sibuse njengamakhosi kanye nani. + 9 Ngoba kimi kubonakala sengathi uNkulunkulu ubeke thina baphostoli ekugcineni embukisweni njengabantu abanikwe isahlulelo sokufa, + ngenxa yokuthi siye saba umbukwane wasenkundleni yemidlalo ezweni, + nasezingelosini, nakubantu. 10 Thina siyiziwula + ngenxa kaKristu, kodwa nina ninokuqonda kuKristu; thina sibuthakathaka, kodwa nina ninamandla; nina niyahlonishwa, kodwa thina sisehlazweni. 11 Kuze kube yilo kanye leli hora siyaqhubeka silamba + futhi soma, + siswela okokugqoka,* sishaywa, *+ singenamakhaya 12 futhi sikhandleka, sisebenza ngezandla zethu. + Lapho sithukwa, siyabusisa; + lapho sishushiswa, sikhuthazela ngesineke; + 13 lapho sinyundelwa, siphendula ngomoya ozolile; *+ sesinjengezibi* zezwe, imfucumfucu yazo zonke izinto, kuze kube manje.

14 Lezi zinto angizibhaleli ukuba nginibangele amahloni, kodwa ukuba nginiyale njengabantwana bami abathandekayo. 15 Ngoba nakuba ningase nibe nabanakekeli* abangu-10 000 kuKristu, ngokuqinisekile aninabo obaba abaningi; ngoba kuKristu Jesu sengiwuyihlo ngezindaba ezinhle. + 16 Ngakho ngiyanincenga, yibani abalingisi bami. + 17 Yingakho ngithumela uThimothewu kini, ngoba ungumntanami othandekayo nothembekile eNkosini. Uzonikhumbuza izindlela zami ngokuphathelene noKristu Jesu, + njengoba nje ngifundisa kuyo yonke indawo kuwo wonke amabandla.

18 Abanye bakhukhumele bayaqhosha, njengokungathi angizi kini. 19 Kodwa ngizoza kini ngokushesha, uma uJehova* ethanda, futhi ngizowazi amandla alabo abakhukhumele abaqhoshayo, hhayi inkulumo yabo. 20 Ngoba uMbuso kaNkulunkulu awuboniswa ngenkulumo, kodwa uboniswa ngamandla kaNkulunkulu. 21 Yini eniyincamelayo? Ingabe kufanele ngize kini nenduku, + noma nothando nobumnene bomoya?

5 Empeleni kubikwa ukuziphatha kabi ngokocansi *+ phakathi kwenu, ukuziphatha kabi okunjalo okungekho ngisho naphakathi kwezizwe—ukuthi umuntu othile uhlala nomkayise. *+ 2 Ingabe niyaziqhenya ngakho? Akufanele yini ngabe niyalila, + ukuze lo muntu owenze lesi senzo asuswe phakathi kwenu? + 3 Nakuba ngingekho ngokoqobo,* ngikhona ngomoya, sengimahlulele kakade umuntu owenze lokhu, njengokungathi nginani. 4 Lapho nihlangene ndawonye egameni leNkosi yethu uJesu futhi nazi ukuthi nginani ngomoya kanye namandla eNkosi yethu uJesu, 5 umuntu onjalo kumele nimnikele kuSathane + ngenjongo yokuba kubhujiswe inyama, ukuze umoya usindiswe ngosuku lweNkosi. +

6 Ukuziqhayisa kwenu akukuhle. Anazi yini ukuthi imvubelo encane iyibilisa* yonke inhlama? + 7 Susani imvubelo endala ukuze nibe yinhlama entsha, njengoba nje ningenayo imvubelo. Ngoba ngempela, uKristu imvu yePhasika lethu + wenziwe umhlatshelo. + 8 Ngakho masiwugcine lo mkhosi, + hhayi ngemvubelo endala noma ngemvubelo yobubi nokukhohlakala, kodwa ngesinkwa esingenamvubelo sobuqotho nangeqiniso.

9 Encwadini yami nganibhalela ukuthi niyeke ukuzihlanganisa* nabantu abaziphatha kabi ngokocansi,* 10 ngingasho ukuba niyeke ngokuphelele ukuzihlanganisa nabantu abaziphatha kabi ngokocansi* baleli zwe + noma abahahayo nabaphangi noma abakhonza izithombe. Ukube bekunjalo, bekuyodingeka ukuba empeleni niphume ezweni. + 11 Kodwa manje nginibhalela ukuba niyeke ukuzihlanganisa *+ nanoma ubani obizwa ngokuthi umzalwane ebe eziphatha kabi ngokocansi* noma engumuntu ohahayo + noma okhonza izithombe noma othuka inhlamba* noma isidakwa + noma umphangi, + ningadli ngisho nokudla nomuntu onjalo. 12 Ngoba ngihlangene ngani nokwahlulela abangaphandle? Nina anahluleli yini abangaphakathi, 13 kuyilapho uNkulunkulu ahlulela abangaphandle? + “Susani umuntu omubi phakathi kwenu.” +

6 Ingabe ukhona kini oxabene nomunye + ongalokotha aye enkantolo phambi kwabantu abangalungile, angayi phambi kwabangcwele? 2 Noma anazi yini ukuthi abangcwele bayokwahlulela izwe? + Uma izwe liyokwahlulelwa yini, ingabe anifaneleki ukuqula izindaba ezincane kakhulu? 3 Anazi yini ukuthi siyokwahlulela izingelosi? + Kungani-ke singenakwahlulela izindaba zalokhu kuphila? 4 Uma ninazo izindaba zalokhu kuphila okumele ziqulwe, + ingabe ngamadoda abukelwa phansi ebandleni eniwabeka ukuba abe abahluleli? 5 Ngikhuluma ukuze nginibangele amahloni. Akekho noyedwa yini ohlakaniphile phakathi kwenu okwazi ukwahlulela phakathi kwabafowabo? 6 Kunalokho umuntu uyisa umfowabo enkantolo, phambi kwabangewona amakholwa nokwenza!

7 Ngempela, nisuke seninqotshiwe kakade uma nimangalelana. Kunalokho, kungani ningavumi ukuba noniwe? + Kungani ningavumi ukuba niphanjwe? 8 Esikhundleni salokho, niyona futhi niphambe, nenze lokho kubafowenu nokwenza!

9 Anazi yini ukuthi abantu abangalungile ngeke balizuze ifa loMbuso kaNkulunkulu? + Ningadukiswa.* Labo abaziphatha kabi ngokocansi, *+ abakhonza izithombe, + iziphingi, + abantu abenza izenzo zobutabane, + amadoda alala namadoda, + 10 amasela, abantu abahahayo, + izidakwa, + abathuka inhlamba,* nabaphangi ngeke balizuze ifa loMbuso kaNkulunkulu. + 11 Kodwa nokho yilokho abanye kini ababeyikho. Kodwa seniye nagezwa nahlanzeka; + seniye nangcweliswa; + sekuthiwe nilungile + egameni leNkosi uJesu Kristu nangomoya kaNkulunkulu wethu.

12 Zonke izinto zingokomthetho* kimi, kodwa akuzona zonke izinto ezisizayo. + Zonke izinto zingokomthetho kimi, kodwa ngeke ngivume ukuba noma yini ingilawule. 13 Ukudla okwesisu, nesisu esokudla, kodwa uNkulunkulu uyokwenza kokubili kube yize. + Umzimba awuwona owokuziphatha kabi ngokocansi,* kodwa oweNkosi, + neNkosi eyomzimba. 14 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wavusa iNkosi + futhi uzosivusa nathi ekufeni + ngamandla akhe. +

15 Anazi yini ukuthi imizimba yenu ingamalungu kaKristu? + Ingabe kufanele ngithathe amalungu kaKristu ngiwahlanganise namalungu esifebe? Lutho neze! 16 Anazi yini ukuthi noma ubani ohlanganiswe nesifebe, umzimba munye naso? Ngoba, “laba ababili,” kusho yena, “bayoba nyamanye.” + 17 Kodwa noma ubani ohlanganiswe neNkosi munye nayo emoyeni. + 18 Balekelani ukuziphatha kabi ngokocansi! *+ Zonke ezinye izono umuntu angase azenze zingaphandle komzimba wakhe, kodwa noma ubani oziphatha kabi ngokocansi wona owakhe umzimba. + 19 Anazi yini ukuthi umzimba wenu uyithempeli + lomoya ongcwele ongaphakathi kini, eniwuthole kuNkulunkulu? + Nokuthi anibona abenu, + 20 ngoba nathengwa ngentengo. + Khazimulisani uNkulunkulu + emzimbeni wenu + ngazo zonke izindlela.

7 Ngokuphathelene nezinto enaloba ngazo, kungcono ukuba indoda ingamthinti* owesifazane; 2 kodwa ngenxa yokuvama kokuziphatha kabi ngokocansi,* yileyo naleyo ndoda mayibe nowayo umfazi, + nalowo nalowo wesifazane abe nowakhe umyeni. + 3 Indoda mayinikeze umkayo okumfanele, nomfazi makenze okufanayo kumyeni wakhe. + 4 Umfazi akanalo igunya phezu komzimba wakhe, kodwa ngumyeni wakhe onalo; ngokufanayo, indoda ayinalo igunya phezu komzimba wayo, kodwa ngumkayo onalo. 5 Ningagodlelani, ngaphandle uma nivumelene ukuma kancane okwesikhashana, ukuze ninikele isikhathi emthandazweni futhi niphinde nibe ndawonye, ukuze uSathane angalokhu enilinga ngenxa yokuntula kwenu ukuzithiba. 6 Nokho, ngininika imvume yokwenza kanjalo, angininiki umyalo. 7 Kodwa ngifisa sengathi ngabe bonke abantu bebenjengami. Noma kunjalo, yilowo nalowo unesipho sakhe + esivela kuNkulunkulu, omunye ngale ndlela, omunye ngaleya ndlela.

8 Kulabo abangashadile nabafelokazi ngithi, kungcono uma behlala benjengami. + 9 Kodwa uma bengenakho ukuzithiba, mabashade, ngoba kungcono ukushada kunokushiswa inkanuko. +

10 Abantu abashadile ngibanika iziyalezo, akumina kodwa yiNkosi, zokuba umfazi angahlukani nomyeni wakhe. + 11 Kodwa uma umfazi ehlukana naye, makahlale engashadile noma aphinde abuyisane nomyeni wakhe; indoda akufanele imshiye umkayo. +

12 Kodwa kwabanye ngithi, yebo kusho mina, hhayi iNkosi: + Uma kukhona umzalwane onomfazi ongakholwa, umfazi evuma ukuhlala naye, makangamshiyi; 13 uma owesifazane enomyeni ongakholwa, umyeni evuma ukuhlala naye, makangamshiyi umyeni wakhe. 14 Ngoba indoda engakholwa ingcwelisiwe ngokuqondene nomkayo, nomfazi ongakholwa ungcwelisiwe ngokuqondene nomzalwane; ngaphandle kwalokho, abantwana benu bebeyoba abangcolile, kodwa manje bangcwele. 15 Kodwa uma lona ongakholwa ekhetha ukuhamba,* makahambe; umzalwane noma udadewethu akabophekile ngaphansi kwezimo ezinjalo, kodwa uNkulunkulu unibizele ekuthuleni. + 16 Ngoba wena mfazi, wazi ngani ukuthi ngeke umsindise umyeni wakho? + Noma wena ndoda, wazi ngani ukuthi ngeke umsindise umkakho?

17 Noma kunjalo, njengoba nje uJehova* enikeze lowo nalowo isabelo esithile, yilowo nalowo makahambe njengoba uNkulunkulu embizile. + Ngakho nginikeza wonke amabandla lesi siqondiso. 18 Ingabe ukhona owabizwa esokile? + Makahlale enjalo. Ingabe ukhona obizwe engasokile? Makangasoki. + 19 Ukusoka akusho lutho, nokungasoki akusho lutho; + ukugcinwa kwemiyalo kaNkulunkulu yikho okusho utho. + 20 Noma isiphi isimo umuntu abizwa ekuso, makahlale kuso. + 21 Ingabe wabizwa uyisigqila? Makungakukhathazi lokho; + kodwa uma ungase ukwazi ukukhululeka, libambe lelo thuba. 22 Ngoba umuntu owabizwa eNkosini eyisigqila ungokhululiwe weNkosi; + ngokufanayo nalowo owabizwa engokhululekile uyisigqila sikaKristu. 23 Nathengwa ngentengo; + yekani ukuba yizigqila zabantu. 24 Noma yisiphi isimo umuntu abizwa ekuso, bazalwane, makahlale ekuso phambi kukaNkulunkulu.

25 Ngokuphathelene nabayizintombi,* anginamyalo ovela eNkosini, kodwa ngiveza umbono wami + njengomuntu iNkosi eyambonisa isihe ukuze ngibe othembekile. 26 Ngakho-ke ngicabanga ukuthi kuhle ngomuntu ukuba aqhubeke enjengoba enjalo ngenxa yobunzima obukhona manje. 27 Ingabe uboshelwe kumfazi? Yeka ukufuna ukukhululwa. + Ingabe ukhululekile kumfazi? Yeka ukufuna umfazi. 28 Kodwa ngisho noma ungashada, uyobe awenzi sono. Futhi uma umuntu oyintombi eshada, uyobe akenzi sono. Nokho, labo abashadayo bayoba nosizi enyameni yabo. Kodwa mina ngizama ukuniphephisa.

29 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngiyakusho lokhu bazalwane, ukuthi isikhathi esesisele sinciphile. + Kusukela manje, labo abanabafazi mababe njengokungathi abanabo, 30 nalabo abakhalayo babe njengalabo abangakhali, nalabo abajabulayo babe njengalabo abangajabuli, nalabo abathenga izinto babe njengalabo abangenazo lezo zinto, 31 nalabo abasebenzisa izwe babe njengalabo abangalisebenzisi ngokugcwele; ngoba isimo saleli zwe siyashintsha. 32 Ngempela, ngifuna ukuba ningakhathazwa yilutho. Indoda engashadile ikhathazeka ngezinto zeNkosi, ukuthi ingakuthola kanjani ukwamukelwa yiNkosi. 33 Kodwa indoda eshadile ikhathazeka ngezinto zezwe, + ukuthi ingakuthola kanjani ukwamukelwa umkayo, 34 futhi ihlukene phakathi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, owesifazane ongashadile, kanye noyintombi, ukhathazeka ngezinto zeNkosi, + ukuze abe ngcwele kokubili emzimbeni wakhe nasemoyeni wakhe. Nokho, owesifazane oshadile ukhathazeka ngezinto zezwe, ukuthi angakuthola kanjani ukwamukelwa umyeni wakhe. 35 Kodwa lokhu ngikusho ukuze kuzuze nina, hhayi ukuze nginibekele imingcele, kodwa ukuze nginenze nenze okufanele nokuba nizinikele njalo eNkosini ngaphandle kokuphazamiseka.

36 Kodwa uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi uziphatha ngokungafanele ngokuhlala engashadile,* futhi sekudlule ukuqhuma kobusha, nakhu okufanele kwenzeke: Makenze lokho akufunayo; akoni. Mabashade. + 37 Kodwa uma umuntu anelisekile enhliziyweni yakhe* futhi engenaso isidingo, kodwa ekwazi ukuzithiba futhi enze lesi sinqumo enhliziyweni yakhe, sokuba ahlale engashadile,* uyokwenza kahle. + 38 Ngakho, nalowo oshadayo* wenza kahle, kodwa lowo ongashadi uyokwenza kangcono. +

39 Umfazi uboshiwe uma nje umyeni wakhe esaphila. + Kodwa uma kungenzeka umyeni wakhe ashone, ukhululekile ukuba ashade nanoma ubani amfunayo, kuphela eNkosini. + 40 Kodwa ngokombono wami, ujabula nakakhulu uma ehlala enjengoba enjalo; futhi ngokuqinisekile ngicabanga ukuthi nami nginomoya kaNkulunkulu.

8 Ngokuphathelene nokudla okunikelwe ezithixweni: + Siyazi ukuthi sonke sinalo ulwazi. + Ulwazi luyakhukhumeza, kodwa uthando luyakha. + 2 Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi wazi okuthile, akakakwazi ngendlela okufanele akwazi ngayo. 3 Kodwa uma umuntu emthanda uNkulunkulu, lowo waziwa nguye.

4 Ngokuphathelene nokudla ukudla okunikelwe ezithixweni, siyazi ukuthi isithixo asilutho + ezweni, nokuthi akukho Nkulunkulu ngaphandle koyedwa. + 5 Ngoba ngisho noma kukhona labo ababizwa ngokuthi onkulunkulu, kungaba sezulwini noma emhlabeni, + njengoba nje kukhona “onkulunkulu” abaningi “namakhosi” amaningi, 6 empeleni kithi kukhona uNkulunkulu oyedwa, + uBaba, + okuvela kuye zonke izinto, nathi esingabakhe; + futhi kukhona iNkosi eyodwa, uJesu Kristu, ezikhona ngayo zonke izinto, + nathi esikhona ngayo.

7 Noma kunjalo, akubona bonke abanalolu lwazi. + Kodwa abanye, ngenxa yokujwayelana kwabo nezithixo ngaphambilini, badla ukudla njengokuthile okuhlatshelwe isithixo, + unembeza wabo, njengoba ubuthakathaka, uyangcola. + 8 Kodwa ukudla ngeke kusisondeze kuNkulunkulu; + uma singadli, asilahlekelwa lutho, futhi uma sidla, asizuzi lutho. + 9 Kodwa qhubekani niqaphela ukuthi ilungelo lenu lokukhetha alibi isikhubekiso ngandlela-thile kulabo ababuthakathaka. + 10 Ngoba uma umuntu engakubona wena onolwazi udla ethempelini lesithixo, unembeza walowo obuthakathaka ngeke yini umenze abe nesibindi kuze kube seqophelweni lokuba adle ukudla okunikelwe ezithixweni? 11 Ngakho ngolwazi lwakho, umuntu obuthakathaka uyalimala, umfowenu, uKristu afa ngenxa yakhe. + 12 Lapho nona kubafowenu ngale ndlela futhi nilimaza unembeza wabo obuthakathaka, + nona kuKristu. 13 Yingakho-ke uma ukudla kwenza umfowethu akhubeke ngingeke ngiphinde ngiyidle inyama, ukuze ngingamkhubi umfowethu. +

9 Angikhululekile yini? Angiyena yini umphostoli? Angimbonanga yini uJesu iNkosi yethu? + Aniwona yini umsebenzi wami eNkosini? 2 Ngisho noma ngingeyena umphostoli kwabanye, ngokuqinisekile nginguye kini! Ngoba niwuphawu oluqinisekisa ubuphostoli bami eNkosini.

3 Ukuzivikela kwami kulabo abangihlolayo yilokhu: 4 Sinalo ilungelo* lokudla nokuphuza, akunjalo? 5 Sinalo ilungelo lokuhamba nenkosikazi ekholwayo, + njengabo bonke abanye abaphostoli nabafowabo beNkosi + noKhefase, *+ akunjalo? 6 Noma, ingabe yimi noBarnaba + kuphela abangenalo ilungelo lokuyeka umsebenzi wokuziphilisa? 7 Yiliphi isosha elike likhonze ngezindleko zalo siqu? Ubani otshala insimu yamagilebhisi kodwa angasidli isithelo sayo? + Noma, ubani owalusa umhlambi kodwa angaluphuzi ubisi lomhlambi?

8 Ingabe ngikhuluma lezi zinto ngokombono wabantu? Noma ingabe uMthetho nawo awuzisho lezi zinto? 9 Ngoba kulotshiwe eMthethweni KaMose: “Ungayivali umlomo ngesifonyo inkabi lapho ibhula ukudla okusanhlamvu.” + Ingabe yizinkabi uNkulunkulu azikhathalelayo? 10 Noma ingabe lokhu ukusho ngenxa yethu? Ngempela kwalotshwa ngenxa yethu, ngoba umuntu olimayo nomuntu obhulayo kufanele benze kanjalo benethemba lokuba badle.

11 Uma sihlwanyele izinto ezivela kuNkulunkulu kini, kungaba kubi yini ukuthola izinto zokunakekela izidingo zethu kini? + 12 Uma abanye abantu benaleli lungelo phezu kwenu, asinalo yini nakakhulu thina? Noma kunjalo, thina asilisebenzisanga leli lungelo, *+ kodwa sibekezelela zonke izinto, ukuze singaphazamisi izindaba ezinhle ezimayelana noKristu nganoma iyiphi indlela. + 13 Anazi yini ukuthi amadoda enza imisebenzi engcwele adla izinto zasethempelini, nokuthi lawo akhonza njalo e-altare athola okuthile okuvela e-altare? + 14 Ngale ndlela futhi, iNkosi yayala ukuba labo abamemezela izindaba ezinhle baphile ngezindaba ezinhle. +

15 Kodwa mina angisebenzisanga nelilodwa lalawa malungiselelo. + Ngempela, lezi zinto angizilobelanga ukuba lokhu kwenziwe kimi, ngoba bekungaba ngcono ukuba ngife kunokuba ngivumele umuntu angiphuce isizathu sami sokuziqhayisa! + 16 Manje uma ngimemezela izindaba ezinhle, leso akusona isizathu sokuba ngiziqhayise, ngoba nginesibopho. Empeleni, maye kimi uma ngingazimemezeli izindaba ezinhle! + 17 Uma lokhu ngikwenza ngokuzithandela, nginomvuzo; kodwa ngisho noma ngikwenza ngingathandi, ngisenawo umsebenzi engiwuphathisiwe. + 18 Uyini-ke umvuzo wami? Uwukuthi lapho ngimemezela izindaba ezinhle, ngizimemezele ngaphandle kwenkokhiso, ukuze ngingalisebenzisi kabi igunya* lami ezindabeni ezinhle.

19 Ngoba nakuba ngikhululekile kubo bonke abantu, ngiye ngazenza isigqila sabo bonke, ukuze ngizuze abantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka. 20 KumaJuda ngaba njengomJuda, ukuze ngizuze amaJuda; + kwabaphansi komthetho ngaba njengophansi komthetho, nakuba mina ngokwami ngingekho phansi komthetho, ukuze ngizuze labo abaphansi komthetho. + 21 Kulabo abangenawo umthetho ngaba njengongenawo umthetho, nakuba ngingeyena ongenawo umthetho ngakuNkulunkulu kodwa ngiphansi komthetho ngakuKristu, + ukuze ngizuze labo abangenawo umthetho. 22 Kwababuthakathaka ngaba buthakathaka, ukuze ngizuze ababuthakathaka. + Ngiye ngaba yizinto zonke kubantu bazo zonke izinhlobo, ukuze ngazo zonke izindlela ngisindise abathile. 23 Kodwa ngenza zonke izinto ngenxa yezindaba ezinhle, ukuze ngizihlanganyele nabanye. +

24 Anazi yini ukuthi emncintiswaneni abagijimi bagijima bonke, kodwa munye kuphela owamukela umklomelo? Gijimani ngendlela yokuba niwuthole. + 25 Wonke umuntu ongenela umncintiswano* uyazithiba ezintweni zonke. Yiqiniso, bona bakwenza ukuze bathole umqhele owonakalayo, + kodwa thina ongonakali. + 26 Ngakho-ke, indlela engigijima ngayo akuyona engenanjongo; + indlela engiqondisa ngayo amagalelo ami ingeyokuba ngingashayi umoya; 27 kodwa ngiyawutuba* umzimba wami + futhi ngiwuphatha njengesigqila, ukuze kuthi ngemva kokuba sengishumayele kwabanye, mina ngokwami ngingabi ongamukeleki* ngandlela-thile.

10 Ngifuna nazi bazalwane, ukuthi okhokho bethu bonke babengaphansi kwefu + futhi bonke badabula olwandle, + 2 bonke babhapathizelwa kuMose ngefu nangolwandle, 3 bonke badla ukudla okufanayo okungokomoya, + 4 bonke baphuza isiphuzo esifanayo esingokomoya. + Ngoba babephuza edwaleni elingokomoya elalibalandela, futhi lelo dwala lalisho uKristu. *+ 5 Noma kunjalo, abaningi babo uNkulunkulu akajabulanga ngabo, ngoba babulawa ehlane. +

6 Lezi zinto zaba izibonelo kithi, ukuze singazifisi izinto ezilimazayo, njengoba bona bazifisa. + 7 Ningabi abakhonza izithombe, njengoba abanye kubo benza; njengoba nje kulotshiwe: “Abantu bahlala phansi badla baphuza. Base besukuma bazijabulisa.” + 8 Masingaziphathi kabi ngokocansi,* njengoba abanye kubo baziphatha kabi ngokocansi,* kwaphumela ekufeni kwabangu-23 000 ngosuku olulodwa. + 9 Masingamvivinyi uJehova,* njengoba abanye kubo bamvivinya, + kwamane kwaphumela ekubhujisweni kwabo ngezinyoka. + 10 Ningabubuli, njengoba abanye babo babubula, + kwamane kwaphumela ekubhujisweni kwabo umbhubhisi. + 11 Lezi zinto zabehlela njengezibonelo, zalotshelwa ukuba zibe yisixwayiso kithi + esiphila ekupheleni kwale nkathi.

12 Ngakho, lowo ocabanga ukuthi umile makaqaphele ukuba angawi. + 13 Asikho isilingo esinifikele ngaphandle kwalokho okuvamile kubantu. + Kodwa uNkulunkulu uthembekile, ngeke avumele ukuba nilingwe ngaphezu kwalokho eningakuthwala, + kodwa kanye naleso silingo uyokwenza nendlela yokuphuma ukuze nikwazi ukusikhuthazelela. +

14 Ngakho-ke bathandekayo bami, kubalekeleni ukukhonza izithixo. + 15 Ngikhuluma nani njengabantu abanokuqonda; zinqumeleni nina ngokuqondene nalokho engikushoyo. 16 Lapho siphuza indebe yesibusiso esiyibusisayo, sisuke singahlanganyeli yini egazini likaKristu? + Lapho sidla isinkwa esisihlephulayo, sisuke singahlanganyeli yini emzimbeni kaKristu? + 17 Ngenxa yokuthi isinkwa sinye, nathi, nakuba sibaningi, siwumzimba owodwa, + ngoba sonke sidla leso sinkwa esisodwa.

18 Bhekani u-Israyeli ngendlela engokwenyama: Labo abadla imihlatshelo ababona yini abahlanganyeli kanye ne-altare? + 19 Yini-ke engiyishoyo? Ngithi lokho okuhlatshelwe isithixo kuwutho, noma ngithi isithixo siwutho? 20 Cha; kodwa ngithi lokho izizwe ezikwenza umhlatshelo, zikuhlabela amademoni hhayi uNkulunkulu; + angifuni ukuba nibe abahlanganyeli namademoni. + 21 Anikwazi ukuphuza indebe kaJehova* nibe niphuza indebe yamademoni; anikwazi ukudla “etafuleni likaJehova” *+ nibe nidla etafuleni lamademoni. 22 Noma ‘ingabe senza uJehova* abe nesikhwele’? + Asinamandla kunaye, akunjalo?

23 Zonke izinto zingokomthetho,* kodwa akuzona zonke izinto eziwusizo. Zonke izinto zingokomthetho, kodwa akuzona zonke izinto ezakhayo. + 24 Yilowo nalowo makangazifuneli inzuzo yakhe siqu, kodwa eyomunye umuntu. +

25 Yidlani noma yini ethengiswa emakethe yenyama, ningabuzi lutho ngenxa kanembeza wenu, 26 ngoba “umhlaba nakho konke okukuwo kungokukaJehova.” *+ 27 Uma umuntu ongakholwa enimema futhi nithanda ukuya, yidlani noma yini ebekwa phambi kwenu, ningabuzi lutho ngenxa kanembeza wenu. 28 Kodwa uma othile ethi kini: “Lokhu bekwenziwe umhlatshelo,” ningadli ngenxa yalowo onitshelile nangenxa kanembeza. + 29 Angisho unembeza wakho, kodwa owalowo omunye umuntu. Ngoba kungani kufanele inkululeko yami yahlulelwe unembeza womunye umuntu? + 30 Uma ngidla ngokubonga, kungani kumele ngihlanjalazwe ngalokho engibongayo ngakho? +

31 Ngakho-ke, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi niyadla noma niyaphuza noma nenza noma yini enye, zonke izinto zenzeleni inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu. + 32 Gwemani ukuba yizimbangela zokukhubeka kumaJuda nakumaGreki nasebandleni likaNkulunkulu, + 33 njengoba nje nami ngizama ukujabulisa bonke abantu ezintweni zonke, ngingafuni ukuzizuzisa mina, + kodwa ukuzuzisa abaningi, ukuze basindiswe. +

11 Yibani abalingisi bami, njengoba nje nami ngingumlingisi kaKristu. +

2 Ngiyanincoma ngoba ezintweni zonke niyangikhumbula futhi nibambelele ngokuqinile ezimfundisweni njengoba nje ngazidlulisela kini. 3 Kodwa ngifuna nazi ukuthi inhloko yawo wonke amadoda uKristu; + nenhloko yowesifazane yindoda; + nenhloko kaKristu uNkulunkulu. + 4 Yileyo naleyo ndoda ethandaza noma iprofethe inokuthile ekhanda ihlazisa inhloko yayo; 5 kodwa yilowo nalowo wesifazane othandaza noma aprofethe + ikhanda lakhe lingamboziwe uhlazisa inhloko yakhe, ngoba kuyafana nokuthi ungowesifazane ophuce ikhanda. 6 Ngoba uma owesifazane engazimbozi, kufanele agunde izinwele; kodwa uma kuyichilo ngowesifazane ukuba agunde noma aphuce, kufanele azimboze.

7 Ngoba indoda akufanele imboze ikhanda, njengoba ingumfanekiso + nenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, kodwa owesifazane uyinkazimulo yendoda. 8 Ngoba indoda ayivelanga kowesifazane, kodwa owesifazane wavela endodeni. + 9 Ngaphezu kwalokho, indoda ayidalwanga ngenxa yowesifazane, kodwa owesifazane wadalwa ngenxa yendoda. + 10 Yingakho owesifazane kufanele abe nophawu lwegunya ekhanda lakhe ngenxa yezingelosi. +

11 Ngaphandle kwalokho, eNkosini, owesifazane ngeke abe khona ngaphandle kwendoda nendoda ngeke ibe khona ngaphandle kowesifazane. 12 Ngoba njengoba nje owesifazane evela endodeni, + kanjalo nendoda ikhona ngowesifazane; kodwa zonke izinto zivela kuNkulunkulu. + 13 Yahlulelani nina: Ingabe kufanele ngowesifazane ukuba athandaze kuNkulunkulu ikhanda lingamboziwe? 14 Imvelo ngokwayo ayinifundisi yini ukuthi izinwele ezinde ziyihlazo endodeni, 15 kodwa uma owesifazane enezinwele ezinde kuyinkazimulo kuye? Ngoba unikwe izinwele zakhe esikhundleni sesembozo. 16 Nokho, uma noma ubani efuna ukuphikisa avune enye inqubo, asinayo enye, namabandla kaNkulunkulu awanayo.

17 Kodwa nakuba nginikeza lezi ziyalo, anginincomi ngoba nihlangana ndawonye ngenjongo yokubi, hhayi ngenjongo yokuhle. 18 Ngoba okokuqala, ngizwa kuthiwa lapho nihlangana ndawonye ebandleni, kuba nokuhlukana phakathi kwenu; ngezinga elithile ngiyakukholwa lokho. 19 Ngoba nakanjani kuzoba khona amaqembu enkolo* phakathi kwenu, + ukuze kubonakale ukuthi obani kini abamukelwa uNkulunkulu.

20 Lapho nihlangana ndawonye, kusuke kungekhona ngempela ukuba nidle iSidlo SeNkosi Sakusihlwa. + 21 Ngoba lapho nisidla, yilowo nalowo uzidlela esakhe isidlo sakusihlwa kusengaphambili, kangangokuthi omunye ulambile kodwa omunye udakiwe. 22 Aninazo yini izindlu zokudlela nokuphuza? Noma ingabe niyalidelela ibandla likaNkulunkulu nenze labo abangenalutho bahlazeke? Yini engingayisho kini? Ingabe kufanele nginincome? Kulokhu anginincomi.

23 Ngoba ngakwamukela eNkosini lokho engakudlulisela nakini, ukuthi iNkosi uJesu ngobusuku + eyayizonikelwa ngabo yathatha isinkwa, 24 ngemva kokubonga, yasihlephula yathi: “Lokhu kusho umzimba wami + ozonikelwa ngenxa yenu. Qhubekani nikwenza lokhu ningikhumbula.” + 25 Yenza okufanayo nangendebe, + ngemva kokudla isidlo sakusihlwa, yathi: “Le ndebe isho isivumelwano esisha + esenziwa ngegazi lami. + Qhubekani nikwenza lokhu, noma nini lapho niyiphuza, njengesikhumbuzo sami.” + 26 Ngoba noma nini lapho nidla lesi sinkwa futhi niphuza le ndebe, nimemezela ukufa kweNkosi, ize ifike.

27 Ngakho, noma ubani odla isinkwa noma aphuze indebe yeNkosi ngokungafanele uyoba necala ngokuqondene nomzimba negazi leNkosi. 28 Umuntu makazihlolisise + kuqala ukuze aqiniseke ngokuthi lokho akwenzayo kulungile yini, kungemva kwalokho kuphela lapho engadla khona isinkwa futhi aphuze indebe. 29 Ngoba lowo odlayo futhi aphuze engawuqondi umzimba, udla futhi aphuze isahlulelo esimlahlayo. 30 Yingakho abaningi phakathi kwenu bebuthakathaka futhi begula nabaningana befile. *+ 31 Kodwa uma besingakuqonda lokho thina ngokwethu esiyikho, besingeke sahlulelwe. 32 Nokho, lapho sahlulelwa, sisuke siyalwa uJehova, *+ ukuze singalahlwa kanye nezwe. + 33 Ngenxa yalokho bazalwane, lapho nihlangana ndawonye ukuze nisidle, lindanani. 34 Uma umuntu elambile, makadle ekhaya, ukuze lapho nihlangana ndawonye ningahlanganeli ukwahlulelwa. + Kodwa izindaba ezisele ngizozihlela uma ngifika lapho.

12 Ngokuphathelene nezipho ezingokomoya + bafowethu, angifuni ukuba ningabi nalwazi. 2 Niyazi ukuthi lapho nisengabantu bezizwe,* nathonywa futhi naholelwa kulezo zithixo ezingakhulumi, + niya noma kuphi lapho zingase ziniholele khona. 3 Ngithanda ukuba nazi ukuthi akekho umuntu ongathi ekhuluma ngomoya kaNkulunkulu athi: “UJesu uqalekisiwe!” futhi akekho umuntu ongathi: “UJesu uyiNkosi!” kungengomoya ongcwele. +

4 Kukhona izipho ezihlukahlukene, kodwa kukhona umoya owodwa; + 5 kukhona izinkonzo ezihlukahlukene, + nokho kukhona iNkosi eyodwa; 6 kukhona imisebenzi ehlukahlukene, nokho uNkulunkulu oyedwa owenza yonke imisebenzi kubo bonke abantu. + 7 Kodwa ukubonakaliswa komoya kunikwa lowo nalowo ngenjongo enenzuzo. + 8 Ngoba omunye unikwe inkulumo* yokuhlakanipha ngomoya, omunye inkulumo yolwazi ngawo lowo moya, 9 omunye ukholo + ngawo lowo moya, omunye izipho zokuphulukisa + ngawo lowo moya owodwa, 10 omunye ukwenza imisebenzi yamandla, + omunye ukuprofetha, omunye ukuqonda izinkulumo eziphefumulelwe, + omunye izilimi ezihlukahlukene, + kanti omunye ukuchaza izilimi. + 11 Kodwa yonke le misebenzi yenziwa yiwo lowo moya, wabela lowo nalowo ngokwahlukana njengoba nje uthanda.

12 Ngoba njengoba nje umzimba umunye kodwa unamalunga amaningi, futhi wonke amalunga alowo mzimba engumzimba owodwa nakuba emaningi, + unjalo noKristu. 13 Ngoba ngomoya owodwa sonke sabhapathizwa ukuze sibe umzimba owodwa, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi singamaJuda noma singamaGreki, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi siyizigqila noma sikhululekile, sonke senziwa ukuba siphuze umoya owodwa.

14 Ngoba ngempela umzimba awakhiwa ilunga elilodwa, kodwa wakhiwa amalunga amaningi. + 15 Uma unyawo belungathi, “Ngenxa yokuthi angisona isandla, angiyona ingxenye yomzimba,” lokho akulwenzi lungabi ingxenye yomzimba. 16 Uma indlebe ibingathi, “Ngenxa yokuthi angilona iso, angiyona ingxenye yomzimba,” lokho akuyenzi ingabi ingxenye yomzimba. 17 Ukube wonke umzimba ubuyiso, besiyozwa ngani? Ukube wonke ubuwukuzwa, besiyohogela ngani? 18 Kodwa manje uNkulunkulu uye wahlela ilunga lomzimba ngalinye ngendlela athanda ngayo.

19 Ukube wonke ebeyilunga elifanayo, umzimba ubuyoba kuphi? 20 Kodwa manje angamalunga amaningi, nokho angumzimba owodwa. 21 Iso alinakusho esandleni ukuthi, “Angikudingi,” nekhanda alinakusho ezinyaweni ukuthi, “Anginidingi.” 22 Ngokuphambene nalokho, amalunga omzimba abonakala sengathi abuthakathaka kakhudlwana ayadingeka, 23 nezingxenye zomzimba esicabanga ukuthi azihloniphekile kangako, yizo esizibonisa udumo nakakhulu, + ngakho izingxenye zethu ezingakhangi kakhulu zihlonipheka nakakhulu, 24 kuyilapho izingxenye zethu ezikhangayo zingadingi lutho. Noma kunjalo, uNkulunkulu wawuhlanganisa umzimba, eyinika udumo olukhulu nakakhulu leyo ngxenye eyayintula, 25 ukuze kungabikho ukuhlukana emzimbeni, kodwa amalunga awo anakekelane. + 26 Uma ilunga elilodwa lihlupheka, wonke amanye amalunga ahlupheka kanye nalo; + noma uma ilunga likhazinyuliswa, wonke amanye amalunga ajabula kanye nalo. +

27 Nina niwumzimba kaKristu, + ngamunye kini uyilunga. + 28 UNkulunkulu wabele abahlukahlukene ebandleni: okokuqala, abaphostoli; + okwesibili, abaprofethi; + okwesithathu, abafundisi; + bese kuba imisebenzi yamandla; + bese kuba izipho zokuphulukisa; + izinkonzo eziwusizo; amakhono okuqondisa; + izilimi ezihlukahlukene. + 29 Akubona bonke abangabaphostoli, akunjalo? Akubona bonke abangabaprofethi, akunjalo? Akubona bonke abangabafundisi, akunjalo? Akubona bonke abenza imisebenzi yamandla, akunjalo? 30 Akubona bonke abaneziphiwo zokuphulukisa, akunjalo? Akubona bonke abakhuluma ngezilimi, akunjalo? + Akubona bonke abangotolika,* akunjalo? + 31 Kodwa qhubekani nifuna* iziphiwo ezinkulu kunalezi. + Nokho ngizonibonisa indlela ezidlula zonke. +

13 Uma ngikhuluma ngezilimi zabantu nezezingelosi kodwa ngingenalo uthando, ngiyobe ngiyinsimbi yethusi enomsindo noma insimbi ekhencezayo. 2 Uma nginesiphiwo sokuprofetha futhi ngiziqonda zonke izimfihlo ezingcwele nalo lonke ulwazi, + uma nginalo lonke ukholo ukuze ngigudluze* izintaba, kodwa ngingenalo uthando, angilutho. *+ 3 Uma nginikela ngakho konke enginakho ukuze kondliwe abanye, + uma nginikela ngomzimba wami ukuze ngiziqhayise, kodwa ngingenalo uthando, + angizuzi lutho nhlobo.

4 Uthando + luyabekezela + futhi lunomusa. + Uthando alunamona. + Aluzigabisi, aluzikhukhumezi, + 5 aluziphathi ngokuhlazisayo, *+ aluzifuneli izinzuzo zalo, + alucasuki. + Alunamagqubu. + 6 Alujabuli ngokungalungi, + kodwa lujabulela iqiniso. 7 Lubekezelela zonke izinto, + lukholelwa yizo zonke izinto, + luthemba zonke izinto, + lukhuthazelela zonke izinto. +

8 Uthando alusoze lwaphela nanini. Kodwa uma kukhona izipho zokuprofetha, ziyoqedwa; uma kukhona izilimi,* ziyophela; uma kukhona ulwazi, luyoqedwa. 9 Ngoba sinolwazi oluyingxenye + futhi siprofetha ingxenye, 10 kodwa lapho lokho okuphelele kufika, lokho okuyingxenye kuyophela. 11 Ngesikhathi ngiseyingane, ngangikhuluma njengengane, ngicabanga njengengane, ngisebenzisa ingqondo njengengane; kodwa njengoba sengiyindoda, sengizilahlile izici zobungane. 12 Ngoba manje sibona kalufifi* ngesibuko sensimbi, kodwa ngaleso sikhathi kuyoba ubuso nobuso. Okwamanje ngazi ingxenye, kodwa ngaleso sikhathi ngiyokwazi ngokunembile,* njengoba nje nami ngaziwa ngokunembile. 13 Nokho, manje kusele lokhu okuthathu: ukholo, ithemba, uthando; kodwa okukhulu kunakho konke kulezi zinto uthando. +

14 Phishekelani uthando, nokho niqhubeke nilwela ukuthola* iziphiwo ezingokomoya, kodwa okungcono ukuba niprofethe. + 2 Ngoba okhuluma ngolunye ulimi akakhulumi nabantu, kodwa ukhuluma noNkulunkulu, ngoba akekho olalelayo, + kodwa ukhuluma izimfihlo ezingcwele + ngomoya. 3 Nokho, lowo oprofethayo wakha, akhuthaze futhi aduduze abantu ngenkulumo yakhe. 4 Lowo okhuluma ngolunye ulimi uzakha yena, kodwa lowo oprofethayo wakha ibandla. 5 Manje ngingathanda ukuba nonke nikhulume ngezilimi, + kodwa ngikhetha ukuba niprofethe. + Ngempela, oprofethayo mkhulu kunalowo okhuluma ngezilimi, ngaphandle-ke uma etolika,* ukuze ibandla lakheke. 6 Kodwa ngalesi sikhathi bazalwane, uma ngingeza kini ngikhuluma ngezinye izilimi, buhle buni engiyobe nginenzela bona ngaphandle uma ngikhuluma kini ngesambulo + noma ngolwazi + noma ngesiprofetho noma ngemfundiso?

7 Kungokufanayo nangezinto ezingaphili ezikhipha umsindo, kungaba umtshingo noma ihabhu. Ngaphandle kokuba kube nezikhawu emisindweni, kuzokwaziwa kanjani lokho okudlalwa ngomtshingo noma ngehabhu? 8 Ngoba uma icilongo likhipha umsindo ongaqondakali, ubani oyolungela ukulwa? 9 Ngendlela efanayo, ngaphandle kokuba nikhulume inkulumo eqondakala kalula, umuntu uyokwazi kanjani lokho okukhulunywayo? Eqinisweni, niyobe nikhuluma emoyeni. 10 Kungenzeka ukuthi kukhona izilimi eziningi ezikhulunywa emhlabeni, kodwa noma kunjalo alukho olungenayo incazelo. 11 Ngoba uma ngingaluqondi ulimi, ngiyoba owesinye isizwe kulowo okhulumayo, nalowo okhulumayo uyoba owesinye isizwe kimi. 12 Kungokufanayo nangani, njengoba nizifisa ngentshiseko iziphiwo zomoya, funani ukuba nibe nezipho eziningi ezizokwakha ibandla. +

13 Ngakho-ke okhuluma ngolunye ulimi makathandazele ukuba atolike. *+ 14 Ngoba uma ngithandaza ngolunye ulimi, yisiphiwo sami somoya esithandazayo, kodwa ingqondo yami ayiqondi. 15 Khona-ke yini ezokwenziwa? Ngizothandaza ngesiphiwo somoya, kodwa ngizothandaza nangengqondo yami futhi. Ngizohlabelela ingoma yokudumisa ngesiphiwo somoya, kodwa ngizohlabelela ingoma yokudumisa nangengqondo yami futhi. 16 Uma kungenjalo, uma udumisa ngesiphiwo somoya, umuntu ovamile ophakathi kwenu uzosho kanjani ukuthi “Amen” ekubongeni kwakho, njengoba engakwazi lokho okushoyo? 17 Yiqiniso, ubonga ngendlela enhle, kodwa lona omunye umuntu akakhiwa. 18 Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu ngokuthi mina ngikhuluma ngezilimi eziningi kunani nonke. 19 Noma kunjalo, ebandleni ngingamane ngikhulume amazwi amahlanu ngengqondo yami,* ukuze ngifundise abanye,* esikhundleni samazwi ayizinkulungwane eziyishumi ngolunye ulimi. +

20 Bazalwane, ningabi abantwana endleleni eniqonda ngayo, + kodwa yibani izingane ngokuqondene nobubi; + nibe abakhule ngokugcwele endleleni eniqonda ngayo. + 21 EMthethweni kulotshiwe: “ ‘Ngizokhuluma nalesi sizwe ngezilimi zezinye izizwe nangezindebe zezihambi, kodwa ngisho nangaleso sikhathi ngeke singilalele,’ kusho uJehova.” *+ 22 Ngakho ukukhuluma ngezilimi okokwenza abangakholwa bakholwe, hhayi ukufundisa amakholwa, + kanti isiprofetho akusona esabangewona amakholwa, kodwa esamakholwa. 23 Ngakho uma lonke ibandla lihlangana ndawonye endaweni eyodwa futhi lonke likhulume ngezinye izilimi, bese kungena abantu abavamile noma abangewona amakholwa, ngeke yini bathi niyahlanya? 24 Kodwa uma nonke niprofetha bese kungena umuntu ongelona ikholwa noma umuntu ovamile, uyosolwa futhi ahlolisiswe yibo bonke. 25 Izinto ezifihlekile ezisenhliziyweni yakhe zibe sezibonakala, kangangokuba uyowa ngobuso akhonze uNkulunkulu, athi: “Ngempela uNkulunkulu uphakathi kwenu.” +

26 Khona-ke, yini okumele yenziwe bazalwane? Lapho nihlangana ndawonye, omunye unehubo, omunye unemfundiso, omunye unesambulo, omunye unolunye ulimi, omunye unencazelo. + Zonke izinto mazenzeke ngenjongo yokwakha. 27 Uma omunye ekhuluma ngolunye ulimi, makube ababili noma abathathu kuphela, nabo badedelane, omunye atolike. *+ 28 Kodwa uma engekho utolika,* kumele athule ebandleni, azikhulumele yedwa futhi akhulume noNkulunkulu. 29 Makukhulume abaprofethi + ababili noma abathathu, abanye bathole incazelo. 30 Kodwa uma omunye ethola isambulo ngesikhathi ehlezi lapho, isikhulumi sokuqala masithule. 31 Ngoba nonke ningakwazi ukuprofetha, umuntu oyedwa ngesikhathi, ukuze bonke bafunde futhi bakhuthazwe. + 32 Iziphiwo zomoya zabaprofethi kumele zilawulwe abaprofethi. 33 Ngoba uNkulunkulu unguNkulunkulu wokuthula akayena owesiyaluyalu. +

Njengakuwo wonke amabandla abangcwele, 34 abesifazane mabathule emabandleni, ngoba akuvunyelwe ukuba bakhulume. + Kunalokho mabazithobe, + njengoba nje noMthetho usho. 35 Uma befuna ukufunda okuthile, mababuze abayeni babo emakhaya, ngoba kuyihlazo ngowesifazane ukuba akhulume ebandleni.

36 Ingabe izwi likaNkulunkulu laphuma kini, noma ingabe lafinyelela kini kuphela?

37 Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi ungumprofethi noma ukuthi unesiphiwo somoya, kumele avume ukuthi izinto enginilobela zona ziwumyalo weNkosi. 38 Kodwa uma umuntu engakunaki lokhu, naye ngeke anakwe.* 39 Ngakho bazalwane, qhubekani nilwela ukuprofetha, + kodwa ningakwenqabeli ukukhuluma ngezinye izilimi. + 40 Kodwa zonke izinto mazenzeke ngendlela efanele nangokuhleleka. *+

15 Manje bazalwane nginikhumbuza ngezindaba ezinhle engazimemezela kini, + enazamukela nani futhi enimi niqinile kuzo. 2 Ngazo niphinde nisindiswe uma nizibambe naziqinisa izindaba ezinhle engazimemezela kini, ngaphandle uma naba amakholwa ngokungenanjongo.

3 Ngoba phakathi kwezinto zokuqala engazidlulisela kini yilokho nami engakwamukela, ukuthi ngokwemiBhalo uKristu wafela izono zethu; + 4 nokuthi wangcwatshwa, + yebo, ukuthi ngokwemiBhalo wavuswa + ngosuku lwesithathu; + 5 nokuthi wabonakala kuKhefase, *+ kwase kuba kwabayiShumi Nambili. *+ 6 Ngemva kwalokho wabonakala kubazalwane abangaphezu kuka-500 ngesikhathi esisodwa, + abaningi kubo basekanye nathi, nakuba abanye sebashona. 7 Ngemva kwalokho wabonakala kuJakobe, + kwase kuba kubo bonke abaphostoli. + 8 Kodwa ekugcineni kwabo bonke wabonakala nakimi + njengokungathi kozelwe ngaphambi kwesikhathi.

9 Ngoba ngingomncane kunabo bonke abaphostoli, angifaneleki ukubizwa ngomphostoli, ngenxa yokuthi ngashushisa ibandla likaNkulunkulu. + 10 Kodwa ngomusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu ngiyilokhu engiyikho. Umusa wakhe omkhulu kimi awuzange ube yize, kodwa ngashikashikeka ukubadlula bonke; nokho kwakungemina, kodwa kwakuwumusa omkhulu kaNkulunkulu okimi. 11 Ngakho, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yimi noma yibo, thina sishumayela kanjena, nani nakholwa kanjena.

12 Uma kushunyayelwa ngokuthi uKristu uvusiwe kwabafile, + basho kanjani abanye phakathi kwenu ukuthi alukho uvuko lwabafile? 13 Uma ngempela lungekho uvuko lwabafile, kusho ukuthi noKristu akavusiwe. 14 Kodwa uma uKristu engavusiwe, ukushumayela kwethu ngokuqinisekile kuyize, nokholo lwenu luyize. 15 Ngaphezu kwalokho, sitholakala singofakazi bakaNkulunkulu bamanga, + ngoba sinikeze ubufakazi ngoNkulunkulu lapho sithi wamvusa uKristu, + lowo angamvusanga uma ngempela abafile bengeke bavuswe. 16 Ngoba uma abafile bengeke bavuswe, noKristu akazange avuswe. 17 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uma uKristu engavuswanga, ukholo lwenu alunamsebenzi; niqhubeka nisezonweni zenu. + 18 Nalabo asebafa bemunye noKristu ngeke baphinde babe khona. + 19 Uma siye sathembela kuKristu kulokhu kuphila kuphela, singabokudatshukelwa kunabo bonke abantu.

20 Kodwa manje uKristu usevusiwe kwabafile, ulibo lwalabo asebafa. + 21 Ngoba njengoba ukufa kweza ngomuntu, + novuko lwabafile luza ngomuntu. + 22 Ngoba njengoba nje bonke befa ku-Adamu, + kanjalo nakuKristu bonke bayokwenziwa baphile. + 23 Kodwa yilowo nalowo esigabeni sakhe: UKristu ulibo, + kamuva kube yilabo abangabakaKristu phakathi nokuba khona kwakhe. + 24 Ngemva kwalokho, kube ukuphela, lapho enikela uMbuso kuNkulunkulu wakhe noYise, lapho esebenze ize bonke ohulumeni nalo lonke igunya namandla. + 25 Ngoba kumele abuse njengenkosi kuze kube yilapho uNkulunkulu esebeke zonke izitha ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe. + 26 Isitha sokugcina, ukufa, kuzokwenziwa ize. + 27 Ngoba uNkulunkulu “wabeka zonke izinto ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe.” + Kodwa uma ethi ‘zonke izinto zibekwe ngaphansi,’ + kusobala ukuthi lokhu akuhlanganisi Lowo owabeka zonke izinto ngaphansi kwakhe. + 28 Kodwa lapho zonke izinto sezibekwe ngaphansi kwakhe, khona-ke neNdodana ngokwayo iyozithoba kuLowo owabeka zonke izinto ngaphansi kwayo, + ukuze uNkulunkulu abe yikho konke kuwo wonke umuntu. +

29 Uma kungenjalo, bayokwenzenjani labo ababhapathizwa ngenjongo yokuba abafile? + Uma abafile bengeke bavuswe nhlobo, pho kungani bebhapathizwa ngenjongo yokuba abafile? 30 Kungani futhi sisengozini mahora onke? *+ 31 Nsuku zonke ngibhekana nokufa. Lokhu kuqiniseke njengenjabulo enginayo ngani, bazalwane, kuKristu Jesu iNkosi yethu. 32 Uma njengabanye abantu,* ngiye ngalwa nezilo zasendle e-Efesu, + kunabuhle buni kimi? Uma abafile bengeke bavuswe, “masidle siphuze, ngoba kusasa sizofa.” + 33 Ningadukiswa. Ukuzihlanganisa nababi konakalisa imikhuba emihle. *+ 34 Sangulukani ngendlela elungile, ningasenzi isono, ngoba abanye abanalwazi ngoNkulunkulu. Ngikhuluma ukuze nginibangele amahloni.

35 Noma kunjalo, omunye uzothi: “Abafile bayovuswa kanjani? Yebo, beza benaluphi uhlobo lomzimba?” + 36 Wena muntu ongenangqondo! Lokho okuhlwanyelayo akwenziwa kuphile ngaphandle kokuba kufe kuqala. 37 Mayelana nalokho okuhlwanyelayo, awuhlwanyeli umzimba ozokhula, kodwa uhlamvu olungenalutho nje, kungase kube olukakolweni noma olwanoma iyiphi enye imbewu; 38 kodwa uNkulunkulu ulunika umzimba njengoba nje ethandile, nembewu ngayinye uyinika umzimba wayo. 39 Yonke inyama ayifani, kodwa kukhona eyabantu, kukhona nenye inyama yezinkomo, nenye inyama yezinyoni, nenye yezinhlanzi. 40 Kukhona imizimba yasezulwini + nemizimba yasemhlabeni; + kodwa inkazimulo yemizimba yasezulwini ingolunye uhlobo, neyemizimba yasemhlabeni ingeyohlobo oluhlukile. 41 Inkazimulo yelanga ingolunye uhlobo, nenkazimulo yenyanga ingolunye, + nenkazimulo yezinkanyezi ingolunye; eqinisweni, inkanyezi iyahluka kwenye inkanyezi ngenkazimulo.

42 Lunjalo novuko lwabafile. Kuhlwanyelwa kunokonakala; kuvuswa kunokungonakali. + 43 Kuhlwanyelwa kusehlazweni; kuvuselwa enkazimulweni. + Kuhlwanyelwa kubuthakathaka; kuvuswa kunamandla. + 44 Kuhlwanyelwa kuwumzimba wenyama; kuvuswa kuwumzimba womoya. Uma ukhona umzimba wenyama, ukhona nowomoya. 45 Kulotshwe kanje: “Indoda yokuqala u-Adamu yaba umuntu* ophilayo.” + U-Adamu wokugcina waba umoya onika ukuphila. + 46 Noma kunjalo, okungokomoya akukona okokuqala. Okungokwenyama yikona okokuqala, kamuva kube okungokomoya. 47 Umuntu wokuqala uvela emhlabeni futhi wenziwe ngothuli; + umuntu wesibili uvela ezulwini. + 48 Abantu basemhlabeni banjengalowo uNkulunkulu amenza ngothuli. Abangabasezulwini bona banjengalowo owavela ezulwini. + 49 Njengoba nje siye saba nomfanekiso walowo owenziwe ngothuli, + siyoba nawo nomfanekiso walowo ongowasezulwini. +

50 Kodwa nginitshela lokhu, bazalwane, ukuthi inyama negazi akukwazi ukuzuza ifa loMbuso kaNkulunkulu, nokonakala akukwazi ukuzuza ifa lokungonakali. 51 Bhekani! Nginitshela imfihlo engcwele: Ngeke sife sonke, kodwa sonke siyoshintshwa, + 52 ngomzuzwana, ngokuphazima kweso, phakathi necilongo lokugcina. Ngoba icilongo liyokhala, + abafile bayovuswa benokungonakali, futhi thina siyoshintshwa. 53 Ngoba lokhu okonakalayo kumele kugqoke ukungonakali, + nalokhu okufayo kumele kugqoke ukungafi. + 54 Kodwa lapho lokhu okonakalayo kugqoka ukungonakali nalokhu okufayo kugqoka ukungafi, kuyokwenzeka izwi elilotshiwe elithi: “Ukufa kugwinyiwe kuze kube phakade.” + 55 “Kufa, kuphi ukunqoba kwakho? Kufa, luphi udosi lwakho?” + 56 Udosi oluveza ukufa yisono, + amandla esono uMthetho. *+ 57 Kodwa sibonga uNkulunkulu, ngoba usinikeza ukunqoba ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu! +

58 Ngakho, bazalwane abathandekayo, yibani abagxilile, + abangenakunyakaziswa, ngaso sonke isikhathi ninokuningi eningakwenza + emsebenzini weNkosi, nazi ukuthi umshikashika wenu awulona ize + eNkosini.

16 Ngokuphathelene nokuqoqwa komnikelo wabangcwele, + ningalandela iziqondiso engazinika amabandla aseGalathiya. 2 Ngosuku lokuqala lwesonto ngalinye, yilowo nalowo kini kufanele abeke eceleni okuthile, kuye ngamandla akhe, ukuze iminikelo ingaqoqwa lapho ngifika. 3 Kodwa uma ngifika lapho, ngiyothumela abantu enithi bayamukeleka ezincwadini zenu, + ukuba bayise isipho senu somusa eJerusalema. 4 Nokho uma kufanele ukuba nami ngiye khona, bayokuya nami.

5 Kodwa ngizoza kini lapho sengidabule eMakedoniya, ngoba ngizodabula eMakedoniya; + 6 mhlawumbe ngizohlala nani noma ngichithe ubusika nani, ukuze ningiphelezele kancane nomaphi lapho ngizoya khona. 7 Ngoba angifuni ukunibona njengamanje lapho ngidlula nje, ngoba nginethemba lokuhlala nani isikhathi esithile, + uma uJehova* evuma. 8 Kodwa ngizohlala e-Efesu + kuze kube uMkhosi WePhentekoste, 9 ngoba ngivulelwe umnyango omkhulu oholela emsebenzini, + kodwa kukhona abaphikisi abaningi.

10 Uma uThimothewu + efika, qinisekani ukuthi akesabi lutho ngesikhathi esephakathi kwenu, ngoba wenza umsebenzi kaJehova, *+ njengoba nje nami ngiwenza. 11 Ngakho makungabikho muntu ombukela phansi. Mhambiseni ngokuthula, ukuze eze kimi, ngoba ngimlindile kanye nabazalwane.

12 Ngokuphathelene no-Apholo + umzalwane, ngamncenga kakhulu ukuba eze kanye nabazalwane kini. Kwakungeyona inhloso yakhe ukuza manje, kodwa uzoza lapho ethola ithuba.

13 Hlalani niphapheme, + nime niqinile okholweni, + niqhubeke njengamadoda, *+ nibe namandla. + 14 Konke enikwenzayo, kwenzeni ngothando. +

15 Ngiyanincenga bazalwane: Niyazi ukuthi umndeni kaStefana ungabafundi bokuqala e-Akhaya nokuthi wazinikela ukuba ukhonze abangcwele. 16 Kwangathi nani ningaqhubeka nizithoba kubantu abanjalo nakubo bonke labo ababambisanayo nabasebenza kanzima. + 17 Kodwa ngiyajabula ngokuba khona kukaStefana + noFortunatu no-Akhayiku, ngoba basivalile isikhala sokungabi bikho kwenu lapha. 18 Ngoba bangikhuthazile mina kanye nani. Ngakho waziseni amadoda anjalo.

19 Amabandla ase-Asiya ayakhonza kini. U-Akhwila noPriska kanye nebandla elihlangana endlini yabo + bayakhonza kini ngenhliziyo yonke eNkosini. 20 Bonke abazalwane bayakhonza kini. Bingelelanani ngokuqabulana okungcwele.

21 Mina Pawulu, ngesandla sami, ngithumela imikhonzo yami.

22 Uma noma ubani engayithandi iNkosi, makaqalekiswe. O Nkosi yethu, woza! 23 Kwangathi umusa omkhulu weNkosi uJesu ungaba nani. 24 Kwangathi uthando lwami lungaba nani nonke kuKristu Jesu.