Filimo 1

1 Pol, indji u tie ndu Kristi Yesu, ba-mba vayi ma Timoti hi ni Filimon, ikpan mbu ni ikpan tie ndu mbu,

This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;

2 nda hi ni Afia vayi mbu vrenwa, nda hi ni Akipus ikpan u taku mbu, nda hi ni Chochi wa bi rii ni koh mbi.

to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.

3 Dun Aliheri he ni yi ni sie rji ni Irji, Itti mbu ni Bachi Yesu Kristi.

May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 Mi zie bre Irji mu. Mi yo yi ni mi bre mu chachu.

I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,

5 Mi woh ye nitu son mba yo'shi ni Irji wa bi he niwu nimi Bachi Yesu mba ni wawu bi hu Irji.

because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.

6 Mi bre nitu zohn tu-mbi u yo'shi nitu Irji dun vu-kri nitu toh ba kpie bi ndindima wa ahe ni mbu nimi Kristi.

I pray that you will put the generous nature of your trust in God into action as you recognize all the good things we share in Christ.

7 U mi ngyri banbran ni vu-suron nitu son kpa mbi, nitu suron bi wa ba hu Irji ba he ngelelen me ni tie me, vayi.

Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!

8 Nika, mi he ni gbengblen suron nimi Kristi wa mi ndi dun wu tie kpe wa-abi dun tie,

That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,

9 u mi k'ma bre-wu nitu son u Irji - Ime, Pol, chiche ndji, u zizan mi ndji na ba tro me ni Kristi Yesu.

I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

10 Mi miye u, ivre mu Onisimu, ime mi tima ni brusuna.

is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.

11 Ana kpa tie meme niwu, ama zizan ahi vren ndindima niwu u ni me ngame.

In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!

12 Mi tru'u dun kma ye niwu, a vren u suron mu.

I send him to you with my fondest wishes.

13 Mi na son ndi mini kawu zi ni me, don dun tie nimu ndu u'mbi, ka mi ri he ni loh nitu itre Irji.

I'd have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.

14 Mina son ndi mi tie-kpe hama ni kpa nyime me na. Mina son ndi dun tie ume wa ndi a bi'a dun he nitu gbigbi na u ka he ndi wu tie rji nimi suron ndindima.

But I decided not to do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.

15 U a rjuto ahi nitu wayi mba ba chu-u rju rji niwu ni vi tsaa ntoh, nitu ani la kma ye nda he niwu ni wawu ntoh. (aiōnios g166)

Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)

16 Ana la tie grahn ngana, ani tie bi zan tie u grahn, immri vayi bi son suron mu. Ahi ndji ndindima nda ri nimi suron mu zan, u gra ma niyi ngame, nimi ikpa yi ni nimi Bachi.

He's not a servant anymore, because he's more than a servant. He's a specially-loved brother, particularly to me, and even more to you, both as a man and as a fellow-believer in the Lord.

17 U toh bi kpa me nji na ikpan tie ndu niyi, kpa-u ngame na wa bi kpa me.

So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.

18 To a tie-kpe wa isuron mbi na banwu na u nda kpa ihla ni yi, ko ani hi nge a kpa, bla yo ni tu mu.

If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

19 Ime Pol, mi nha ni'wwo mu: mi hahn yi. Ana ndi bi kma tie ihla ni'wwo mu na.

I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won't mention what you owe me, including your very self!

20 Eih, vayi, tie nimu wayi nimi Bachi; kpa suron mu ku-si nimi Kristi.

Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.

21 Gbengble suron nitu wo-ttre mbi, misi nha ye niyi. Mi toh ndi bi tie bran zan ikpe wa mi meyi me.

I'm writing about this to you because I'm convinced you'll do as I ask—in fact I know you'll do even more than I've asked!

22 Nimi ntoh ki, bika mlah mitra u bitsri tie ni mi, don mi si yo'shi ndi nitu ibre mbi, ba nji me kma ye ni yi.

In the meantime please have a room ready for me, for I hope to be able to return to see you soon in answer to your prayers.

23 Epafras, ikpan mu u tie ndu nimi Kristi Yesu, a-ndi dun mi chi yi.

Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,

24 U Markus, Aristachus, Demas, u mba Luka, ba kpukpan tie ndu mu.

as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.

25 Dun Liheri u Bachi Mbu Yesu Kristi hu ni suron mbi. Amin

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.