Filemoni 1
1 Paulo, mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu, pamoja na Timotheo ndugu yetu: Kwa Filemoni rafiki yetu mpendwa na mtendakazi mwenzetu,
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,
2 kwa dada yetu mpendwa Afia, kwa Arkipo askari mwenzetu na kwa kanisa lile likutanalo nyumbani mwako:
And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Neema iwe nanyi na amani itokayo kwa Mungu Baba yetu na Bwana Yesu Kristo.
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Siku zote ninamshukuru Mungu ninapokukumbuka katika maombi yangu,
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 kwa sababu ninasikia juu ya imani yako katika Bwana Yesu na upendo wako kwa watakatifu wote.
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints;
6 Naomba utiwe nguvu katika kuishuhudia imani yako, ili upate kuwa na ufahamu mkamilifu juu ya kila kitu chema tulicho nacho ndani ya Kristo.
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 Upendo wako umenifurahisha mno na kunitia moyo, kwa sababu wewe ndugu, umeiburudisha mioyo ya watakatifu.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Hata hivyo, ingawa katika Kristo ningeweza kuwa na ujasiri na kukuagiza yale yakupasayo kutenda,
Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient.
9 lakini ninakuomba kwa upendo, mimi Paulo, mzee na pia sasa nikiwa mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu,
Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 nakuomba kwa ajili ya mwanangu Onesimo, aliyefanyika mwanangu nilipokuwa kwenye minyororo.
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Mwanzoni alikuwa hakufai, lakini sasa anakufaa sana wewe na mimi pia.
Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Namtuma kwako, yeye aliye moyo wangu hasa.
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:
13 Ningependa nikae naye ili ashike nafasi yako ya kunisaidia wakati huu nikiwa kifungoni kwa ajili ya Injili.
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 Lakini sikutaka kufanya lolote bila idhini yako, ili wema wowote uufanyao usiwe wa lazima, bali wa hiari.
But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)
16 Si kama mtumwa, bali bora kuliko mtumwa, kama ndugu mpendwa. Yeye ni mpendwa sana kwangu na hata kwako zaidi, yeye kama mwanadamu na kama ndugu katika Bwana.
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 Hivyo kama unanihesabu mimi kuwa mshirika wako, mkaribishe kama vile ungenikaribisha mimi mwenyewe.
If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 Kama amekukosea lolote au kama unamdai chochote, nidai mimi.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on my account;
19 Ni mimi Paulo, ninayeandika waraka huu kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe. Nitakulipa. Sitaji kwamba nakudai hata nafsi yako.
I Paul have written [it] with my own hand, I will repay [it]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.
20 Ndugu yangu, natamani nipate faida kwako katika Bwana, uuburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Nikiwa na hakika ya utii wako, nakuandikia, nikijua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya yale ninayokuomba.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 Jambo moja zaidi: Niandalie chumba cha wageni, kwa kuwa nataraji kurudishwa kwenu kama jibu la maombi yenu.
But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
23 Epafra, aliye mfungwa mwenzangu katika Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Vivyo hivyo Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, watendakazi wenzangu wanakusalimu.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.
25 Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo iwe pamoja na roho zenu. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
