1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Paulo, mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu, na Timotheo aliye ndugu yetu, kwa Filemoni mpendwa wetu, mtenda kazi pamoja nasi,
2 and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
na kwa Afia, ndugu yetu, na kwa Arkipo askari mwenzetu, na kwa kanisa lililo katika nyumba yako.
3 grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Neema na iwe kwenu, na amani, zitokazo kwa Mungu, Baba yetu, na kwa Bwana Yesu Kristo.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Namshukuru Mungu wangu sikuzote, nikikukumbuka katika maombi yangu;
5 hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
nikisikia habari za upendo wako na imani uliyo nayo kwa Bwana Yesu na kwa watakatifu wote;
6 that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
ili kwamba ushirika wa imani yako ufanye kazi yake, katika ujuzi wa kila kitu chema kilicho kwetu, katika Kristo.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Maana nalikuwa na furaha nyingi na faraja kwa sababu ya upendo wako, kwa kuwa mioyo ya watakatifu imeburudishwa nawe, ndugu yangu.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
Kwa hiyo, nijapokuwa nina ujasiri katika Kristo kukuagiza likupasalo;
9 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.
lakini, kwa ajili ya upendo nakusihi, kwa kuwa ni kama nilivyo, Paulo mzee, na sasa mfungwa wa Kristo Yesu pia.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
Nakusihi kwa ajili ya mtoto wangu niliyemzaa katika vifungo vyangu, yaani, Onesimo;
11 which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
ambaye zamani alikuwa hakufai, bali sasa akufaa sana, wewe na mimi pia;
12 whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
niliyemtuma kwako, yeye mwenyewe, maana ni moyo wangu hasa;
13 whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
ambaye mimi nalitaka akae kwangu, apate kunitumikia badala yako katika vifungo vya Injili.
14 but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
Lakini sikutaka kutenda neno lo lote isipokuwa kwa shauri lako, ili kwamba wema wako usiwe kama kwa lazima, bali kwa hiari.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
Maana, labda ndiyo sababu alitengwa nawe kwa muda, ili uwe naye tena milele;
16 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?
tokea sasa, si kama mtumwa, bali zaidi ya mtumwa, ndugu mpendwa; kwangu mimi sana, na kwako wewe zaidi sana, katika mwili na katika Bwana.
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
Basi kama ukiniona mimi kuwa mshirika nawe, mpokee huyu kama mimi mwenyewe.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
Na kama amekudhulumu, au unamwia kitu, ukiandike hicho juu yangu.
19 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.
Mimi Paulo nimeandika kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe, mimi nitalipa. Sikuambii kwamba nakuwia hata nafsi yako.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Naam, ndugu yangu, nipate faida kwako katika Bwana; uniburudishe moyo wangu katika Kristo.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
Kwa kuwa nakuamini kutii kwako ndiyo maana nimekuandikia, nikijua ya kuwa utafanya zaidi ya hayo nisemayo.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
Na pamoja na hayo uniwekee tayari mahali pa kukaa; maana nataraji ya kwamba kwa maombi yenu mtajaliwa kunipata.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Epafra, aliyefungwa pamoja nami katika Kristo Yesu, akusalimu;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
na Marko, na Aristarko, na Dema, na Luka, watendao kazi pamoja nami.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.
Neema ya Bwana Yesu Kristo na iwe pamoja na roho zenu.
