Filemoni 1
1 Mimi Paulo, mfungwa kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, na ndugu Timotheo, ninakuandikia wewe Filemoni mpendwa, mfanyakazi mwenzetu
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 kanisa linalokutana nyumbani kwako, na wewe dada Afia, na askari mwenzetu Arkupo.
to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
3 Tunawatakieni neema na amani kutoka 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 Kila wakati ninaposali nakukumbuka wewe Filemoni, na kumshukuru Mungu
I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
5 maana nasikia habari za imani yako kwa Bwana wetu Yesu na upendo wako kwa watu wote wa Mungu.
because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
6 Naomba ili imani hiyo unayoshiriki pamoja nasi ikuwezeshe kuwa na ujuzi mkamilifu zaidi wa baraka zote tunazopata katika kuungana kwetu na 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 Ndugu, upendo wako yameniletea furaha kubwa na kunipa moyo sana! Nawe umeichangamsha mioyo ya watu wa Mungu.
Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have really inspired those of us who believe!
8 Kwa sababu hiyo, ningeweza, kwa uhodari kabisa, nikiwa ndugu yako katika Kristo, kukuamuru ufanye unachopaswa 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, ni afadhali zaidi nikuombe. Nafanya hivi ingawa mimi ni Paulo, balozi wa Kristo Yesu, na sasa pia mfungwa kwa ajili yake.
I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
10 Basi, ninalo ombi moja kwako kuhusu mwanangu Onesimo, ambaye ni mwanangu katika Kristo kwani nimekuwa baba yake nikiwa kifungoni.
is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
11 Ni Onesimo yuleyule ambaye wakati mmoja alikuwa hakufai kitu, lakini sasa ananifaa mimi na wewe pia.
In the past he was of no use to you, but now he's useful to both you and me!
12 Sasa namrudisha kwako, naye ni kama moyo wangu mimi mwenyewe.
I send him to you with my fondest wishes.
13 Ningependa akae nami hapa anisaidie badala yako wakati niwapo kifungoni kwa sababu ya Habari Njema.
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 sitafanya chochote bila kibali chako. Sipendi kukulazimisha unisaidie, kwani wema wako unapaswa kutokana na hiari yako wewe mwenyewe na si kwa kulazimika.
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.
Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever! (aiōnios g166)
16 Na sasa yeye si mtumwa tu, ila ni bora zaidi ya mtumwa: yeye ni ndugu yetu mpenzi. Na wa maana sana kwangu mimi, na kwako atakuwa wa maana zaidi kama mtumwa na kama ndugu 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 Basi, ikiwa wanitambua mimi kuwa mwenzako, mpokee tena kama vile ungenipokea mimi mwenyewe.
So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord, welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
18 Kama alikuwa amekukosea kitu, au alikuwa na deni lako, basi, unidai mimi.
If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 Naandika jambo hili kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe: Mimi Paulo nitalipa! (Tena sina haja ya kusema kwamba wewe unalo deni kwangu la nafsi yako.)
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 Haya, basi, ndugu yangu, nifanyie jambo hilo kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana; burudisha moyo wangu kama ndugu katika Kristo.
Yes, brother, I'm expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
21 Naandika nikitumaini kwamba utanikubalia ombi langu; tena najua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya haya ninayokuomba.
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 Pamoja na hayo, nitayarishie chumba kwani natumaini kwamba kwa sala zenu, Mungu atanijalia niwatembeleeni.
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 kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
24 Nao akina Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, wafanyakazi wenzangu, wanakusalimu.
as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
25 Nawatakieni ninyi nyote neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
