Filemoni 1
1 Mimi Paulo, mfungwa kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, na ndugu Timotheo, ninakuandikia wewe Filemoni mpendwa, mfanyakazi 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 na kanisa linalokutana nyumbani kwako, na wewe dada Afia, na askari mwenzetu Arkupo.
and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thine house,
3 Tunawatakieni neema na amani kutoka kwa Mungu Baba yetu, na kwa Bwana yesu Kristo.
grace and peace be to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Kila wakati ninaposali nakukumbuka wewe Filemoni, na kumshukuru Mungu
I thank my God always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 maana nasikia habari za imani yako kwa Bwana wetu Yesu na upendo wako kwa watu wote wa Mungu.
(hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints, )
6 Naomba ili imani hiyo unayoshiriki pamoja nasi ikuwezeshe kuwa na ujuzi mkamilifu zaidi wa baraka zote tunazopata katika kuungana kwetu na 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 Ndugu, upendo wako yameniletea furaha kubwa na kunipa moyo sana! Nawe umeichangamsha mioyo ya watu wa Mungu.
for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.
8 Kwa sababu hiyo, ningeweza, kwa uhodari kabisa, nikiwa ndugu yako katika Kristo, kukuamuru ufanye unachopaswa kufanya.
Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,
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 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 Basi, ninalo ombi moja kwako kuhusu mwanangu Onesimo, ambaye ni mwanangu katika Kristo kwani nimekuwa baba yake nikiwa kifungoni.
I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
11 Ni Onesimo yuleyule ambaye wakati mmoja alikuwa hakufai kitu, lakini sasa ananifaa mimi na wewe pia.
who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:
12 Sasa namrudisha kwako, naye ni kama moyo wangu mimi mwenyewe.
him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.
13 Ningependa akae nami hapa anisaidie badala yako wakati niwapo kifungoni kwa sababu ya Habari Njema.
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 sitafanya chochote bila kibali chako. Sipendi kukulazimisha unisaidie, kwani wema wako unapaswa kutokana na hiari yako wewe mwenyewe na si kwa kulazimika.
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 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.
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 Basi, ikiwa wanitambua mimi kuwa mwenzako, mpokee tena kama vile ungenipokea mimi mwenyewe.
If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.
18 Kama alikuwa amekukosea kitu, au alikuwa na deni lako, basi, unidai mimi.
If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:
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 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 Haya, basi, ndugu yangu, nifanyie jambo hilo kwa ajili ya jina la Bwana; burudisha moyo wangu kama ndugu katika Kristo.
Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Naandika nikitumaini kwamba utanikubalia ombi langu; tena najua kwamba utafanya hata zaidi ya haya ninayokuomba.
Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.
22 Pamoja na hayo, nitayarishie chumba kwani natumaini kwamba kwa sala zenu, Mungu atanijalia niwatembeleeni.
But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.
23 Epafra, mfungwa mwenzangu kwa ajili ya Kristo Yesu, anakusalimu.
Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, and Marcus,
24 Nao akina Marko, Aristarko, Dema na Luka, wafanyakazi wenzangu, wanakusalimu.
Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.
25 Nawatakieni ninyi nyote neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
