Philemon 1

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

To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,

2 And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house:

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

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

4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

I am ever mentioning you in my prayers, and giving thanks to God,

5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:

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 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.

And I pray that your participation may become effectual, as you come to acknowledge every good thing which is in you to Christ.

7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

For I have great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.

8 Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose:

And so, although I might be bold in Christ to dictate to you what is fitting,

9 For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

yet for love’s sake, I rather beseech you, I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus!

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

I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in these chains.

11 Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,

Once you found him "unprofitable," but now he is "profitable" to you and to me.

12 Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

I am sending him back to you, he himself, that is, my very heart!

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

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 But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

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.

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever: (aiōnios g166)

Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever, (aiōnios g166)

16 Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially 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, as a brother beloved; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and a fellow Christian.

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

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

18 And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

And if he has wronged you at all, or is owing you anything, charge that to me.

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.

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 Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Come my brother, let me have joy in the Lord because of you! Refresh my heart in Christ!

21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

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 But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.

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

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greeting;

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow labourers.

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

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

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