Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,

2 and to Apphia our sister, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you in Christ.

That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 For I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,

9 yet on the basis of love I rather appeal, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I appeal to you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,

I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:

12 I am sending back to you, him who is my very heart,

Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:

13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.

Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

But without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, (aiōnios g166)

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.

If he has wronged you, or owes you something, put that on my account;

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

But with prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

There salute you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.