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 Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, and to the beloved Apphia,
2 kwa dada yetu mpendwa Afia, kwa Arkipo askari mwenzetu na kwa kanisa lile likutanalo nyumbani mwako:
and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thine house,
3 Neema iwe nanyi na amani itokayo kwa Mungu Baba yetu na Bwana Yesu Kristo.
grace and peace be to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Siku zote ninamshukuru Mungu ninapokukumbuka katika maombi yangu,
I thank my God always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 kwa sababu ninasikia juu ya imani yako katika Bwana Yesu na upendo wako kwa watakatifu wote.
(hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the 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 in the acknowledgement of all the good that is in you towards Christ Jesus:
7 Upendo wako umenifurahisha mno na kunitia moyo, kwa sababu wewe ndugu, umeiburudisha mioyo ya watakatifu.
for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.
8 Hata hivyo, ingawa katika Kristo ningeweza kuwa na ujasiri na kukuagiza yale yakupasayo kutenda,
Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,
9 lakini ninakuomba kwa upendo, mimi Paulo, mzee na pia sasa nikiwa mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu,
I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.
10 nakuomba kwa ajili ya mwanangu Onesimo, aliyefanyika mwanangu nilipokuwa kwenye minyororo.
I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
11 Mwanzoni alikuwa hakufai, lakini sasa anakufaa sana wewe na mimi pia.
who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:
12 Namtuma kwako, yeye aliye moyo wangu hasa.
him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.
13 Ningependa nikae naye ili ashike nafasi yako ya kunisaidia wakati huu nikiwa kifungoni kwa ajili ya Injili.
Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, 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 I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary.
For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou mightest 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 dear brother, especially to me, and 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 therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.
18 Kama amekukosea lolote au kama unamdai chochote, nidai mimi.
If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:
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 pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.
20 Ndugu yangu, natamani nipate faida kwako katika Bwana, uuburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Nikiwa na hakika ya utii wako, nakuandikia, nikijua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya yale ninayokuomba.
Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.
22 Jambo moja zaidi: Niandalie chumba cha wageni, kwa kuwa nataraji kurudishwa kwenu kama jibu la maombi yenu.
But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.
23 Epafra, aliye mfungwa mwenzangu katika Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, and Marcus,
24 Vivyo hivyo Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, watendakazi wenzangu wanakusalimu.
Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.
25 Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo iwe pamoja na roho zenu. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
