Philemon 1

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

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

2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

and to Apphia our sister, to 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, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

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

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all saints;

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

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

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

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

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

8 Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient.

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

9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

11 Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

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

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

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.

17 If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

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

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on my account;

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

19 I Paul have written [it] with my own hand, I will repay [it]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.

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).

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

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

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

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

22 But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

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

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;

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

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

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

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

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