Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and the brother Timothy to Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker,

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

and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

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

May grace be 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 always thank my God. I mention you in my prayers.

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

I have heard of the love and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus and for all the believers.

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

I pray that the fellowship of your faith may be effective for the knowledge of everything good that is among us 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 had much joy and comfort because of your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

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

Therefore, although I have all the boldness in Christ to command you to do what you should do,

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

yet because of love, I appeal to you instead—I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus.

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

I am asking you concerning my child Onesimus, whom I have fathered in my chains.

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

For he once was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

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

I have sent him back to you, he who is my very heart.

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

I wish I could have kept him with me, so he could serve me for you, while I am in chains for the sake of the gospel.

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

But I did not want to do anything without your consent. I did not want your good deed to be from necessity but from good will.

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

Perhaps for this he was separated from you for a time, so 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 thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

No longer would he be a slave, but better than a slave, a beloved brother. He is beloved especially to me, and much more so to you, in both the flesh and in the Lord.

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

So if you have me as a partner, receive him as me.

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

If he has wronged you or owes you anything, charge that to me.

19 I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand, I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I myself will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your own self!

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

Yes, brother, do me a favor in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

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

Confident about your obedience, I am writing to you. I know that you will do even more than I ask.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

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

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

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.