Philemonem 1
1 Paulus vinctus Iesu Christi et Timotheus frater Philemoni dilecto et adiutori nostro
To my beloved friend and coworker Philemon,
2 et Appiae sorori et Archippo commilitoni nostro et ecclesiae quae in domo tua est
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 gratia vobis et pax a Deo Patre nostro et Domino Iesu Christo
Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 gratias ago Deo meo semper memoriam tui faciens in orationibus meis
I am ever mentioning you in my prayers, and giving thanks to God,
5 audiens caritatem tuam et fidem quam habes in Domino Iesu et in omnes sanctos
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 ut communicatio fidei tuae evidens fiat in agnitione omnis boni in nobis in Christo Iesu
And I pray that your participation may become effectual, as you come to acknowledge every good thing which is in you to Christ.
7 gaudium enim magnum habui et consolationem in caritate tua quia viscera sanctorum requieverunt per te frater
For I have great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.
8 propter quod multam fiduciam habentes in Christo Iesu imperandi tibi quod ad rem pertinet
And so, although I might be bold in Christ to dictate to you what is fitting,
9 propter caritatem magis obsecro cum sis talis ut Paulus senex nunc autem et vinctus Iesu Christi
yet for love’s sake, I rather beseech you, I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus!
10 obsecro te de meo filio quem genui in vinculis Onesimo
I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in these chains.
11 qui tibi aliquando inutilis fuit nunc autem et tibi et mihi utilis
Once you found him "unprofitable," but now he is "profitable" to you and to me.
12 quem remisi tu autem illum id est mea viscera suscipe
I am sending him back to you, he himself, that is, my very heart!
13 quem ego volueram mecum detinere ut pro te mihi ministraret in vinculis evangelii
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 sine consilio autem tuo nihil volui facere uti ne velut ex necessitate bonum tuum esset sed voluntarium
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.
Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever, (aiōnios g166)
16 iam non ut servum sed plus servo carissimum fratrem maxime mihi quanto autem magis tibi et in carne et in Domino
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 si ergo habes me socium suscipe illum sicut me
If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 si autem aliquid nocuit tibi aut debet hoc mihi inputa
And if he has wronged you at all, or is owing you anything, charge that to me.
19 ego Paulus scripsi mea manu ego reddam ut non dicam tibi quod et te ipsum mihi debes
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 ita frater ego te fruar in Domino refice viscera mea in Domino
Come my brother, let me have joy in the Lord because of you! Refresh my heart in Christ!
21 confidens oboedientia tua scripsi tibi sciens quoniam et super id quod dico facies
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 simul autem et para mihi hospitium nam spero per orationes vestras donari me vobis
Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.
23 salutat te Epaphras concaptivus meus in Christo Iesu
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greeting;
24 Marcus Aristarchus Demas Lucas adiutores mei
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 gratia Domini nostri Iesu Christi cum spiritu vestro amen
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
