1
Ninyi akina bwana, wapeni watumwa wenu yaliyo haki na ya adili, mkijua ya kuwa ninyi nanyi mna Bwana mbinguni.
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2
Dumuni sana katika kuomba, mkikesha katika kuomba huku na shukrani;
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
3
mkituombea na sisi pia, kwamba Mungu atufungulie mlango kwa lile neno lake, tuinene siri ya Kristo, ambayo kwa ajili yake nimefungwa,
as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4
ili niidhihirishe, kama inipasavyo kunena.
Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
5
Enendeni kwa hekima mbele yao walio nje, mkiukomboa wakati.
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
6
Maneno yenu yawe na neema siku zote, yakikolea munyu, mpate kujua jinsi iwapasavyo kumjibu kila mtu.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
7
Tikiko, ndugu mpendwa, mtumishi mwaminifu, mjoli wangu katika Bwana, atawaarifu mambo yangu yote;
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
8
ambaye nimemtuma kwenu kwa sababu iyo hiyo, ili mjue mambo yetu, naye akawafariji mioyo yenu;
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
9
pamoja na Onesimo, ndugu mwaminifu, mpendwa, aliye mtu wa kwenu. Hao watawaarifu mambo yote ya hapa petu.
With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10
Aristarko, aliyefungwa pamoja nami, awasalimu; na Marko, mjomba wake Barnaba, ambaye mmepokea maagizo kwa habari yake; akifika kwenu mkaribisheni.
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
11
Na Yesu aitwaye Yusto; hao ni watu wa tohara. Tena hao peke yao ni watendaji wa kazi pamoja nami kwa ajili ya ufalme wa Mungu; nao walikuwa faraja kwangu.
Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12
Epafra, aliye mtu wa kwenu, mtumwa wa Yesu Kristo, awasalimu, akifanya bidii siku zote kwa ajili yenu katika maombi yake, ili kwamba msimame wakamilifu na kuthibitika sana katika mapenzi yote ya Mungu.
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
13
Maana namshuhudia kwamba ana juhudi nyingi kwa ajili yenu, na kwa ajili ya hao walioko Laodikia, na kwa ajili ya hao walioko Hierapoli.
For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14
Luka, yule tabibu mpendwa, na Dema, wanawasalimu.
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
15
Wasalimuni ndugu walioko Laodikia, na Nimfa, na kanisa lililo katika nyumba yake.
Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
16
Waraka huu ukiisha kusomwa kwenu fanyeni kwamba usomwe katika kanisa la Walaodikia pia; na ule wa Laodikia usomwe na ninyi.
After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17
Mwambieni Arkipo, Iangalie sana huduma ile uliyopewa katika Bwana, ili uitimize.
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18
Salamu yangu mimi Paulo, kwa mkono wangu mwenyewe. Kumbukeni kufungwa kwangu. Neema na iwe pamoja nanyi.
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.