Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,

To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,

2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your 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 the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

5 Hearing of your love (agape) and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all 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 your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which 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 we have great joy and consolation in your love, (agape) because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, 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 might be much bold in Christ to admonish you that which is convenient,

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

9 Yet for love's (agape) sake I rather plead to you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner 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 plead to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

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

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

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

12 Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine 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 your position he might have ministered unto me in the bonds 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 your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

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, that you should receive him 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 above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto you, 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 you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

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

18 If he has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on mine 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 mine own hand, I will repay it: although it be I do not say to you how you owe unto me even your own self besides.

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, let me have joy of you 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 Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will 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 likewise prepare me also a lodging: for I trust 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 you Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;

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

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, 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. (pneuma) Amen.

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