Mathayo 18

Ni nani aliye mkubwa?

(Marko 9:33-37; Luka 9:46-48)

1 Wakati ule wanafunzi walimwendea Yesu, wakamwuliza, “Ni nani aliye mkubwa zaidi katika ufalme wa mbinguni?” 2 Yesu akamwita mtoto mmoja, akamsimamisha kati yao, 3 kisha akasema, “Nawaambieni kweli, msipogeuka na kuwa kama watoto, hamtaingia kamwe katika ufalme wa mbinguni. 4 Yeyote anayejinyenyekesha kama mtoto huyu, huyo ndiye aliye mkubwa katika ufalme wa mbinguni. 5 Yeyote anayempokea mtoto mmoja kama huyu kwa jina langu, ananipokea mimi.

Vikwazo

(Marko 9:42-48; Luka 17:1-2)

6 “Yeyote atakayemkosesha mmoja wa hawa wadogo wanaoniamini, ingekuwa afadhali afungwe shingoni jiwe kubwa la kusagia na kuzamishwa kwenye kilindi cha bahari. 7 Ole wake ulimwengu kwa sababu ya vikwazo vinavyowaangusha wengine. Vikwazo hivyo ni lazima vitokee lakini ole wake mtu yule atakayevisababisha.

8 “Kama mkono au mguu wako ukikukosesha, ukate na kuutupa mbali nawe. Afadhali kwako kuingia katika uhai bila mkono au mguu, kuliko kutupwa katika moto wa milele ukiwa na mikono miwili na miguu yako miwili. 9 Na jicho lako likikukosesha, lingoe na kulitupa mbali nawe. Afadhali kwako kuingia katika uhai ukiwa chongo, kuliko kutupwa katika moto wa Jehanamu ukiwa na macho yako yote mawili.

Mfano wa kondoo aliyepotea

(Luka 15:3-7)

10 “Jihadharini! Msimdharau mmojawapo wa wadogo hawa. Nawaambieni, malaika wao huko mbinguni wako daima mbele ya Baba yangu aliye mbinguni. [ 11 Maana Mwana wa Mtu alikuja kuwaokoa wale waliopotea.] (Taz Luka 19:10). 12 Mnaonaje? Mtu akiwa na kondoo 100, akimpoteza mmoja, hufanyaje? Huwaacha wale tisini na tisa mlimani, akaenda kumtafuta yule aliyepotea. 13 Akimpata, nawaambieni kweli, humfurahia huyo kuliko awafurahiavyo wale tisini na tisa ambao hawakupotea. 14 Hali kadhalika, Baba yenu wa mbinguni hapendi hata mmoja wa hawa wadogo apotee.

Kusahihishana

15 “Ndugu yako akikukosea, mwendee ukamwonye mkiwa nyinyi peke yenu. Akikusikia utakuwa umempata ndugu yako. 16 Asipokusikia, chukua mtu mmoja au wawili pamoja nawe, ili kwa mawaidha ya mashahidi wawili au watatu, kila tatizo litatuliwe. 17 Asipowasikia hao, liambie kanisa. Na kama hatalisikia kanisa, na awe kwako kama watu wasiomjua Mungu na watozaushuru.

Kukataza na kuruhusu

18 “Nawaambieni kweli, mtakachofunga duniani kitafungwa mbinguni, na mtakachofungua duniani kitafunguliwa mbinguni. 19 Tena nawaambieni, wawili miongoni mwenu wakikubaliana hapa duniani kuhusu jambo lolote la kuomba, Baba yangu wa mbinguni atawafanyia jambo hilo. 20 Kwa maana popote pale wanapokusanyika wawili au watatu kwa jina langu, mimi nipo hapo kati yao.”

Mfano wa mtumishi asiyesamehe

21 Kisha Petro akamwendea Yesu, akamwuliza, “Je, ndugu yangu akinikosea, nimsamehe mara ngapi? Mara saba?” 22 Yesu akamjibu, “Sisemi mara saba tu, bali sabini mara saba. 23 Ndiyo maana ufalme wa mbinguni unafanana na mfalme mmoja aliyeamua kukagua hesabu za watumishi wake. 24 Ukaguzi ulipoanza, akaletewa mtu mmoja aliyekuwa na deni la fedha talanta 10,000. 25 Mtu huyo hakuwa na chochote cha kulipa; hivyo bwana wake aliamuru auzwe, yeye, mke wake, watoto wake na vitu vyote alivyokuwa navyo, ili deni lilipwe. 26 Basi, huyo mtumishi akapiga magoti mbele yake, akasema, ‘Unisubiri nami nitakulipa deni lote’. 27 Yule bwana alimwonea huruma, akamsamehe lile deni, akamwacha aende zake.

28 “Lakini huyo mtumishi akaondoka, akamkuta mmoja wa watumishi wenzake aliyekuwa na deni lake fedha dinari 100. Akamkamata, akamkaba koo akisema, ‘Lipa deni lako!’ 29 Huyo mtumishi mwenzake akapiga magoti, akamwomba, ‘Unisubiri nami nitakulipa’. 30 Lakini yeye hakutaka, bali alimtia gerezani mpaka hapo atakapolipa lile deni.

31 “Basi, watumishi wenzake walipoona jambo hilo walisikitika sana, wakaenda kumpasha habari bwana wao juu ya mambo hayo yaliyotukia. 32 Hapo yule bwana alimwita huyo mtumishi, akamwambia, ‘Wewe ni mtumishi mbaya sana! Uliniomba, nami nikakusamehe deni lako lote. 33 Je, haikukupasa nawe kumhurumia mtumishi mwenzako kama nilivyokuhurumia?’

34 “Basi, huyo bwana alikasirika sana, akamtoa huyo mtumishi aadhibiwe mpaka hapo atakapolipa deni lote. 35 Na baba yangu aliye mbinguni atawafanyieni vivyo hivyo kama kila mmoja wenu hatamsamehe ndugu yake kwa moyo wake wote.”

Matthew 18

1 In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?2 And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:6 But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!8 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.9 And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.10 See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.11 For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.12 How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray?13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican.18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

21 Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents.25 But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.28 But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest.29 So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee.30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due.31 So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.32 Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:33 shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee?34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.35 So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.