1
Enyi watoto, watiini wazazi wenu katika Bwana, maana hii ndiyo haki.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2
Waheshimu baba yako na mama yako; amri hii ndiyo amri ya kwanza yenye ahadi,
“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3
Upate heri, ukae siku nyingi katika dunia.
“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”
4
Nanyi, akina baba, msiwachokoze watoto wenu; bali waleeni katika adabu na maonyo ya Bwana.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5
Enyi watumwa, watiini wao walio bwana zenu kwa jinsi ya mwili, kwa hofu na kutetemeka, kwa unyofu wa moyo, kana kwamba ni kumtii Kristo;
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
6
wala si kwa utumwa wa macho tu kama wajipendekazao kwa wanadamu bali kama watumwa wa Kristo, mkitenda yampendezayo Mungu kwa moyo;
And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
7
kwa nia njema kama kumtumikia Bwana wala si mwanadamu;
Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,
8
mkijua ya kuwa kila neno jema alitendalo mtu atapewa lilo hilo na Bwana kwamba ni mtumwa au kwamba ni huru.
because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9
Nanyi, akina bwana, watendeeni wao yayo hayo, mkiacha kuwaogofya, huku mkijua ya kuwa yeye aliye Bwana wao na wenu yuko mbinguni, wala kwake hakuna upendeleo.
And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
10
Hatimaye, mzidi kuwa hodari katika Bwana na katika uweza wa nguvu zake.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
11
Vaeni silaha zote za Mungu, mpate kuweza kuzipinga hila za Shetani.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12
Kwa maana kushindana kwetu sisi si juu ya damu na nyama; bali ni juu ya falme na mamlaka, juu ya wakuu wa giza hili, juu ya majeshi ya pepo wabaya katika ulimwengu wa roho.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13
Kwa sababu hiyo twaeni silaha zote za Mungu, mpate kuweza kushindana siku ya uovu, na mkiisha kuyatimiza yote, kusimama.
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
14
Basi simameni, hali mmejifunga kweli viunoni, na kuvaa dirii ya haki kifuani,
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,
15
na kufungiwa miguu utayari tupatao kwa Injili ya amani;
and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
16
zaidi ya yote mkiitwaa ngao ya imani, ambayo kwa hiyo mtaweza kuizima mishale yote yenye moto ya yule mwovu.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17
Tena ipokeeni chapeo ya wokovu, na upanga wa Roho ambao ni neno la Mungu;
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18
kwa sala zote na maombi mkisali kila wakati katika Roho, mkikesha kwa jambo hilo na kudumu katika kuwaombea watakatifu wote;
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
19
pia na kwa ajili yangu mimi, nipewe usemi kwa kufumbua kinywa changu, ili niihubiri kwa ujasiri ile siri ya Injili;
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20
ambayo kwa ajili yake mimi ni mjumbe katika minyororo; hata nipate ujasiri katika huyo kunena jinsi inipasavyo kunena.
for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.
21
Basi ninyi nanyi mpate kuzijua habari zangu, ni hali gani, Tikiko, ndugu mpendwa, mhudumu mwaminifu katika Bwana, atawajulisheni mambo yote;
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
22
ambaye nampeleka kwenu kwa kusudi lilo hilo mpate kuzijua habari zetu, naye awafariji 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.
23
Amani na iwe kwa ndugu, na pendo, pamoja na imani, zitokazo kwa Mungu Baba na kwa Bwana Yesu Kristo.
Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24
Neema na iwe pamoja na wote wampendao Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo katika hali ya kutokuharibika.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.