Filemoni 1
1 Paulo, mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu, na ndugu Timotheo kwa Filemoni, mpendwa rafiki yetu na mtenda kazi pamoja nasi,
This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
2 na kwa Afia dada yetu, na kwa Arkipas askari mwenzetu, na kwa kanisa lile linalokutana nyumbani kwako.
to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
3 Neema iwe kwenu na amani itokayo kwa Mungu Baba yetu na kwa Bwana Yesu Kristo.
May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Wakati wote namshukuru Mungu. Ninakutaja katika maombi yangu.
I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
5 Nimesikia upendo na imani uliyonayo katika Bwana Yesu na kwa ajili ya waumini wote.
because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
6 Ninaomba kwamba ushirika wa imani yenu iwe na ufanisi katika ujuzi wa kila jambo jema lililoko kati yetu katika Kristo.
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 Kwa kuwa nimekuwa na furaha na faraja kwa sababu ya upendo wako, kwa sababu mioyo ya waumini imekuwa ikitulizwa nawe, ndugu.
Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
8 Kwa hiyo, ingawa nina ujasiri wote katika Kristo kukuamuru wewe kufanya kile unachoweza kufanya,
That's why even though I'm brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
9 lakini kwa sababu ya upendo, badala yake nakusihi - mimi, Paulo niliye mzee, na sasa ni mfungwa kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu.
I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
10 Ninakusihi kuhusu mwanangu Onesmo, niliyemzaa katika vifungo vyangu.
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
11 Kwa kuwa mwanzoni hakukufaa, lakini sasa anakufaa wewe na mimi.
In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
12 Nimemtuma- yeye ambaye ni wa moyo wangu hasa - kurudi kwako.
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
13 Nataraji angeendelea kubaki pamoja nami, ili anitumikie badala yako, wakati niwako kifungoni kwa ajili ya injili.
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 Lakini sikutaka kufanya jambo lolote bila ruhusa yako. Nilifanya hivi ili kwamba jambo lolote zuri lisifanyike kwa sababu nilikulazimisha, bali kwa sababu ulipenda mwenyewe kulitenda.
But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn't want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.
15 Labda ni sababu alitengwa nawe kwa muda, ilikuwa hivyo ili uwe pamoja naye milele. (aiōnios g166)
Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)
16 Ili kwamba asiwe tena mtumwa, bali bora zaidi ya mtumwa, kama ndugu mpendwa, hasa kwangu, na zaidi sana kwako, katika mwili na katika Bwana.
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 Na hivyo kama wanichukulia mimi mshirika, mpokee kama ambavyo ungenipokea mimi.
So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
18 Lakini kama amekukosea jambo lolote, au unamdai kitu chochote, kidai hicho kutoka kwangu.
If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 Mimi Paulo, ninaandika kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe: mimi nitakulipa. Sisemi kwako kwamba nakudai maisha yako hasa.
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 Naam ndugu, acha nipate furaha ya Bwana toka kwako: uburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
21 Nikiwa na imani kuhusu utii wako, nakuandikia nikijua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya vile ninavyokuomba.
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 Wakati huo huo andaa chumba cha wageni kwa ajili yangu, kwa kuwa ninatumaini kupitia maombi yako nitakutembelea hivi karibuni.
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 Epafra, mfungwa mwenzangu katika Kristo Yesu anakusalimu,
Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
24 na kama afanyavyo Marko, Aristarko, Dema, Luka, watendakazi pamoja nami.
as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo iwe pamoja na roho yako. Amina.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
