Philemon 1

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

To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,

2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church 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 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 thee always in my prayers,

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

5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards 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 thy 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 thy love, because the bowels of the saints are 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 might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee 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 sake I rather beseech [thee], being such 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 beseech thee 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 Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

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

12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, 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 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 thy mind I would do nothing; that thy 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 thou shouldst 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 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 thou accountest 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 hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on 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]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy 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 Yes, brother, let me have joy of 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 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote 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 at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to 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 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.

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.