3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?

3 Na ka unga tangata ahau ki a raua hei ki atu, He nui te mahi e mahi nei ahau; e kore e ahei kia heke atu. Kia whakamutua hei aha te mahi? ka whakarerea nei hoki e ahau, ki te heke atu ahau ki a korua.