Philemonem 1
1 Paulus vinctus Christi Jesu, et Timotheus frater, Philemoni dilecto, et adjutori nostro,
To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,
2 et Appiæ sorori carissimæ, et Archippo commilitoni nostro, et ecclesiæ, quæ in domo tua est.
to my sister Apphia, to my fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church which meets at Philemon’s house. From Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy.
3 Gratia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Domino Jesu Christo.
Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 Gratias ago Deo meo, semper memoriam tui faciens in orationibus meis,
I am ever mentioning you in my prayers, and giving thanks to God,
5 audiens caritatem tuam, et fidem, quam habes in Domino Jesu, et in omnes sanctos:
because I am hearing of your love and of the faith which you hold, not only toward the Lord Jesus Christ, but toward all the saints.
6 ut communicatio fidei tuæ evidens fiat in agnitione omnis operis boni, quod est in vobis in Christo Jesu.
And I pray that your participation may become effectual, as you come to acknowledge every good thing which is in you to Christ.
7 Gaudium enim magnum habui, et consolationem in caritate tua: quia viscera sanctorum requieverunt per te, frater.
For I have great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.
8 Propter quod multam fiduciam habens in Christo Jesu imperandi tibi quod ad rem pertinet:
And so, although I might be bold in Christ to dictate to you what is fitting,
9 propter caritatem magis obsecro, cum sis talis, ut Paulus senex, nunc autem et vinctus Jesu Christi:
yet for love’s sake, I rather beseech you, I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus!
10 obsecro te pro meo filio, quem genui in vinculis, Onesimo,
I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in these chains.
11 qui tibi aliquando inutilis fuit, nunc autem et mihi et tibi utilis,
Once you found him "unprofitable," but now he is "profitable" to you and to me.
12 quem remisi tibi. Tu autem illum, ut mea viscera, suscipe:
I am sending him back to you, he himself, that is, my very heart!
13 quem ego volueram mecum detinere, ut pro te mihi ministraret in vinculis Evangelii:
I could wish to retain him at my side, so that he might minister to me in your stead, in my bonds for the gospel.
14 sine consilio autem tuo nihil volui facere, uti ne velut ex necessitate bonum tuum esset, sed voluntarium.
But without your consent I was unwilling to do anything, so that your kindness to me might be of your own free will, and not of compulsion.
Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever, (aiōnios g166)
16 jam non ut servum, sed pro servo carissimum fratrem, maxime mihi: quanto autem magis tibi et in carne, et in Domino?
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother beloved; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and a fellow Christian.
17 Si ergo habes me socium, suscipe illum sicut me:
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 si autem aliquid nocuit tibi, aut debet, hoc mihi imputa.
And if he has wronged you at all, or is owing you anything, charge that to me.
19 Ego Paulus scripsi mea manu: ego reddam, ut non dicam tibi, quod et teipsum mihi debes:
I Paul am writing this in my own handwriting, "I will repay you." But I will not mention that you owe me, over and over, your very soul.
20 ita, frater. Ego te fruar in Domino: refice viscera mea in Domino.
Come my brother, let me have joy in the Lord because of you! Refresh my heart in Christ!
21 Confidens in obedientia tua scripsi tibi: sciens quoniam et super id, quod dico, facies.
Because I am thoroughly persuaded of your obedience, I have written you, knowing full well that you will do by me what I am asking.
22 Simul autem et para mihi hospitium: nam spero per orationes vestras donari me vobis.
Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.
23 Salutat te Epaphras concaptivus meus in Christo Jesu,
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greeting;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, et Lucas, adjutores mei.
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 Gratia Domini nostri Jesu Christi cum spiritu vestro. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
