Philemon 1
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
Mimi Paulo, mfungwa kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, na ndugu Timotheo, ninakuandikia wewe Filemoni mpendwa, mfanyakazi mwenzetu
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
na kanisa linalokutana nyumbani kwako, na wewe dada Afia, na askari mwenzetu Arkupo.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tunawatakieni neema na amani kutoka kwa Mungu Baba yetu, na kwa Bwana yesu Kristo.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
Kila wakati ninaposali nakukumbuka wewe Filemoni, na kumshukuru Mungu
5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
maana nasikia habari za imani yako kwa Bwana wetu Yesu na upendo wako kwa watu wote wa Mungu.
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
Naomba ili imani hiyo unayoshiriki pamoja nasi ikuwezeshe kuwa na ujuzi mkamilifu zaidi wa baraka zote tunazopata katika kuungana kwetu na Kristo.
7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
Ndugu, upendo wako yameniletea furaha kubwa na kunipa moyo sana! Nawe umeichangamsha mioyo ya watu wa Mungu.
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
Kwa sababu hiyo, ningeweza, kwa uhodari kabisa, nikiwa ndugu yako katika Kristo, kukuamuru ufanye unachopaswa kufanya.
9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
Lakini kwa sababu ya upendo, ni afadhali zaidi nikuombe. Nafanya hivi ingawa mimi ni Paulo, balozi wa Kristo Yesu, na sasa pia mfungwa kwa ajili yake.
10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
Basi, ninalo ombi moja kwako kuhusu mwanangu Onesimo, ambaye ni mwanangu katika Kristo kwani nimekuwa baba yake nikiwa kifungoni.
11 who was aforetime unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
Ni Onesimo yuleyule ambaye wakati mmoja alikuwa hakufai kitu, lakini sasa ananifaa mimi na wewe pia.
12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
Sasa namrudisha kwako, naye ni kama moyo wangu mimi mwenyewe.
13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
Ningependa akae nami hapa anisaidie badala yako wakati niwapo kifungoni kwa sababu ya Habari Njema.
14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
Lakini sitafanya chochote bila kibali chako. Sipendi kukulazimisha unisaidie, kwani wema wako unapaswa kutokana na hiari yako wewe mwenyewe na si kwa kulazimika.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; (aiōnios g166)
Labda Onesimo aliondoka kwako kwa kitambo tu, kusudi uweze tena kuwa naye daima. (aiōnios g166)
16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Na sasa yeye si mtumwa tu, ila ni bora zaidi ya mtumwa: yeye ni ndugu yetu mpenzi. Na wa maana sana kwangu mimi, na kwako atakuwa wa maana zaidi kama mtumwa na kama ndugu katika Bwana.
17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
Basi, ikiwa wanitambua mimi kuwa mwenzako, mpokee tena kama vile ungenipokea mimi mwenyewe.
18 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;
Kama alikuwa amekukosea kitu, au alikuwa na deni lako, basi, unidai mimi.
19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee how that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
Naandika jambo hili kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe: Mimi Paulo nitalipa! (Tena sina haja ya kusema kwamba wewe unalo deni kwangu la nafsi yako.)
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
Haya, basi, ndugu yangu, nifanyie jambo hilo kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana; burudisha moyo wangu kama ndugu katika Kristo.
21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
Naandika nikitumaini kwamba utanikubalia ombi langu; tena najua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya haya ninayokuomba.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
Pamoja na hayo, nitayarishie chumba kwani natumaini kwamba kwa sala zenu, Mungu atanijalia niwatembeleeni.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
Epafra, mfungwa mwenzangu kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
24 [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
Nao akina Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, wafanyakazi wenzangu, wanakusalimu.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Nawatakieni ninyi nyote neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
