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 our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 kwa dada yetu mpendwa Afia, kwa Arkipo askari mwenzetu na kwa kanisa lile likutanalo nyumbani mwako:
and to Apphia our sister, and to 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 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 thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward 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 fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
7 Upendo wako umenifurahisha mno na kunitia moyo, kwa sababu wewe ndugu, umeiburudisha mioyo ya watakatifu.
For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Hata hivyo, ingawa katika Kristo ningeweza kuwa na ujasiri na kukuagiza yale yakupasayo kutenda,
Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
9 lakini ninakuomba kwa upendo, mimi Paulo, mzee na pia sasa nikiwa mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu,
yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 nakuomba kwa ajili ya mwanangu Onesimo, aliyefanyika mwanangu nilipokuwa kwenye minyororo.
I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 Mwanzoni alikuwa hakufai, lakini sasa anakufaa sana wewe na mimi pia.
who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
12 Namtuma kwako, yeye aliye moyo wangu hasa.
whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
13 Ningependa nikae naye ili ashike nafasi yako ya kunisaidia wakati huu nikiwa kifungoni kwa ajili ya Injili.
whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto 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 goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have 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.
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.
17 Hivyo kama unanihesabu mimi kuwa mshirika wako, mkaribishe kama vile ungenikaribisha mimi mwenyewe.
If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 Kama amekukosea lolote au kama unamdai chochote, nidai mimi.
But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;
19 Ni mimi Paulo, ninayeandika waraka huu kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe. Nitakulipa. Sitaji kwamba nakudai hata nafsi yako.
I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
20 Ndugu yangu, natamani nipate faida kwako katika Bwana, uuburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Nikiwa na hakika ya utii wako, nakuandikia, nikijua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya yale ninayokuomba.
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
22 Jambo moja zaidi: Niandalie chumba cha wageni, kwa kuwa nataraji kurudishwa kwenu kama jibu la maombi yenu.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
23 Epafra, aliye mfungwa mwenzangu katika Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
24 Vivyo hivyo Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, watendakazi wenzangu wanakusalimu.
[and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
25 Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo iwe pamoja na roho zenu. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
