Philemon 1

1 Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy my brother, —unto Philemon the beloved, and a fellow worker of ours,

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,

2 And unto Apphia our sister. And unto Archippus our fellow-soldier, and unto the assembly which meeteth, at thy house:

And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

3 Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.

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

4 I am giving thanks unto my God—always, making mention, of thee, in my prayers,

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

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

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

6 To the end that, the fellowship of thy faith, may become, energetic, by a personal knowledge of every good thing that is in us towards Christ;

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

7 For, much joy, have I had, and encouragement, by occasion of thy love, in that, the tender affections of the saints, have had rest given them by thee, brother.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I have, much, freedom of speech, in Christ, to be enjoining upon thee that which is befitting,

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

9 Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, —being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, —

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

10 I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, —Onesimus:

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

11 Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable;

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

12 Whom I have sent back unto thee—him, that is, my own, tender affections!—

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

13 Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message;

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

14 But, apart from thy mind, I wished to do, nothing, that, not as by necessity, thy goodness should be, but, by choice.

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

15 For, peradventure, for this cause, was he separated for an hour, that, as an age-abiding possession, thou mightest have him back, — (aiōnios g166)

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

16 No longer as a servant, but above a servant—a brother beloved, very greatly to me, but, how much rather, to thee—both in the flesh and in the Lord!

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;

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

18 And, if he hath wronged thee at all or oweth thee aught, the same, unto me, do thou reckon: —

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on my account;

19 I, Paul, have written [it] with, my own, hand, —I, will repay [it]; that I may not tell thee—that, thyself, unto me, thou still owest.

I Paul have written [it] with my own hand, I will repay [it]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.

20 Yea! brother, I, would, from thee, have help, in the Lord: give rest unto my tender affections in Christ.

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

21 Confident of thine obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that, even beyond what I say, thou wilt do: —

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

22 At the same time, moreover, be also getting ready for me, a lodging; for I am hoping that, through your prayers, I shall be granted as a favour unto you.

But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 There salute thee—Epaphras my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,

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

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, —my fellow-workers.

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.

25 The favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, be with your spirit.

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