Filemoni 1
1 Paulo, mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu, na ndugu Timotheo kwa Filemoni, mpendwa rafiki yetu na mtenda kazi pamoja nasi,
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 na kwa Afia dada yetu, na kwa Arkipas askari mwenzetu, na kwa kanisa lile linalokutana nyumbani kwako.
And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Neema iwe kwenu na amani itokayo kwa Mungu Baba yetu na kwa Bwana Yesu Kristo.
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Wakati wote namshukuru Mungu. Ninakutaja katika maombi yangu.
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Nimesikia upendo na imani uliyonayo katika Bwana Yesu na kwa ajili ya waumini wote.
Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 Ninaomba kwamba ushirika wa imani yenu iwe na ufanisi katika ujuzi wa kila jambo jema lililoko kati yetu katika 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 Kwa kuwa nimekuwa na furaha na faraja kwa sababu ya upendo wako, kwa sababu mioyo ya waumini imekuwa ikitulizwa nawe, ndugu.
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Kwa hiyo, ingawa nina ujasiri wote katika Kristo kukuamuru wewe kufanya kile unachoweza kufanya,
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 lakini kwa sababu ya upendo, badala yake nakusihi - mimi, Paulo niliye mzee, na sasa ni mfungwa kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu.
Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 Ninakusihi kuhusu mwanangu Onesmo, niliyemzaa katika vifungo vyangu.
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Kwa kuwa mwanzoni hakukufaa, lakini sasa anakufaa wewe na mimi.
Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Nimemtuma- yeye ambaye ni wa moyo wangu hasa - kurudi kwako.
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Nataraji angeendelea kubaki pamoja nami, ili anitumikie badala yako, wakati niwako kifungoni kwa ajili ya injili.
Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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 without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 Labda ni sababu alitengwa nawe kwa muda, ilikuwa hivyo ili uwe pamoja naye milele. (aiōnios g166)
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; (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.
Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 Na hivyo kama wanichukulia mimi mshirika, mpokee kama ambavyo ungenipokea mimi.
If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 Lakini kama amekukosea jambo lolote, au unamdai kitu chochote, kidai hicho kutoka kwangu.
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that on mine account;
19 Mimi Paulo, ninaandika kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe: mimi nitakulipa. Sisemi kwako kwamba nakudai maisha yako hasa.
I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand, I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Naam ndugu, acha nipate furaha ya Bwana toka kwako: uburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Nikiwa na imani kuhusu utii wako, nakuandikia nikijua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya vile ninavyokuomba.
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 Wakati huo huo andaa chumba cha wageni kwa ajili yangu, kwa kuwa ninatumaini kupitia maombi yako nitakutembelea hivi karibuni.
But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 Epafra, mfungwa mwenzangu katika Kristo Yesu anakusalimu,
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 na kama afanyavyo Marko, Aristarko, Dema, Luka, watendakazi pamoja nami.
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo iwe pamoja na roho yako. Amina.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
