Philemonem 1
1 Paulus vinctus Christi Iesu, et Timotheus frater: Philemoni dilecto, et adiutori nostro,
From Paul, now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, a fellow follower of the Lord.
2 et Appiæ sorori charissimæ, et Archippo commilitoni nostro, et Ecclesiæ, quæ in domo tua est.
To our dear friend and fellow worker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus; and to the church that meets at Philemon’s house;
3 Gratia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Domino Iesu Christo.
may God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace.
4 Gratias ago Deo meo, semper memoriam tui faciens in orationibus meis,
I always mention you in my prayers and thank God for you,
5 audiens charitatem tuam, et fidem, quam habes in Domino Iesu, et in omnes sanctos:
because I hear of the love and the faith which you show, not only to the Lord Jesus, but also to all his people;
6 ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat in agnitione omnis operis boni, quod est in vobis in Christo Iesu.
and I pray that your participation in the faith may result in action, as you come to a fuller realisation of everything that is good and Christlike in us.
7 Gaudium enim magnum habui, et consolationem in charitate tua: quia viscera sanctorum requieverunt per te, frater.
I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ’s people have been cheered, friend, by you.
8 Propter quod multam fiduciam habens in Christo Iesu imperandi tibi quod ad rem pertinet:
And so, though my union with Christ enables me, with all confidence, to dictate the course that you should adopt,
9 propter charitatem magis obsecro, cum sis talis, ut Paulus senex, nunc autem et vinctus Iesu Christi:
yet the claims of love make me prefer to plead with you – yes, even me, Paul, though I am an ambassador for Christ Jesus and, now a prisoner for him as well.
10 Obsecro te pro meo filio, quem genui in vinculis, Onesimo,
I plead with you for this child of mine, Onesimus, to whom, in my prison, I have become a father.
11 qui tibi aliquando inutilis fuit, nunc autem et mihi, et tibi utilis,
Once he was of little service to you, but now he has become of great service, not only to you, but to me as well;
12 quem remisi tibi. Tu autem illum, ut mea viscera, suscipe:
and I am sending him back to you with this letter – though it is like tearing out of my heart.
13 quem ego volueram mecum detinere, ut pro te mihi ministraret in vinculis Evangelii:
For my own sake I should like to keep him with me, so that, while I am in prison for the good news, he might attend to my wants on your behalf.
14 sine consilio autem tuo nihil volui facere, uti ne velut ex necessitate bonum tuum esset, sed voluntarium.
But I do not wish to do anything without your consent, because I want your generosity to be voluntary and not, as it were, compulsory.
It may be that he was separated from you for an hour, for this reason, so that you might have him back for ever, (aiōnios g166)
16 iam non ut servum, sed pro servo charissimum fratrem, maxime mihi: quanto autem magis tibi et in carne, et in Domino?
no longer as a slave, but as something better – a dearly loved friend and follower of the Lord, especially dear to me, and how much more so to you, not only as a person, but as your fellow Christian!
17 Si ergo habes me socium, suscipe illum sicut me:
If, then, you count me your friend, receive him as you would me.
18 Si autem aliquid nocuit tibi, aut debet: hoc mihi imputa.
If he has caused you any loss, or owes you anything, charge it to me.
19 Ego Paulus scripsi mea manu: ego reddam, ut non dicam tibi, quod et teipsum mihi debes:
I, Paul, put my own hand to it – I will repay you myself. I say nothing about your owing me your self.
20 ita frater. Ego te fruar in Domino: Refice viscera mea in Christo.
Yes, friend, let me gain something from you because of your union with the Lord. Cheer my heart by your Christlike spirit.
21 Confidens in obedientia tua scripsi tibi: sciens quoniam et super id, quod dico, facies.
Even as I write, I have such confidence in your compliance with my wishes, that I am sure that you will do even more than I am asking.
22 Simul autem et para mihi hospitium: nam spero per orationes vestras donari me vobis.
Please also get a lodging ready for me, for I hope that I will be given back to you all in answer to your prayers.
23 Salutat te Epaphras concaptivus meus in Christo Iesu,
Epaphras, who is my fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus, sends you his greeting;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, et Lucas, adiutores mei.
and Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers, send theirs.
25 Gratia Domini nostri Iesu Christi cum spiritu vestro. Amen.
May the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your souls.
