Philemon, 1

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

1. From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy to Philemon, our friend and fellow worker,

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

2. to our dear sister Apphia, to Archippus faithful companion in our soldiering, and to all the Church gathered in your house.

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

3. Grace and peace be with you from God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord.

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

4. I never cease to give thanks to my God when I remember you in my prayers,

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

5. for I hear of your love and faith towards the Lord and all the holy ones.

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

6. And I pray that the sharing of your faith may make known all the good that is ours in Christ.

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

7. I had great satisfaction and comfort on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother.

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

8. Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command 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.

9. yet I prefer to request you in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now prisoner for Christ.

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

10. And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.

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

11. This Onesimus has not been helpful to you, but now he will be helpful both to you and to me.

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

12. In returning him to you, I am sending you my own 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:

13. I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me on your behalf while I am in prison for the Gospel,

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

14. but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.

15. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

15. Perhaps Onesimus has been parted from you for a while so that you may have him back forever,

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?

16. no longer as a slave, but better than a slave. For he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even dearer to you.

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

17. And so, because of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself.

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

18. And if he has caused any harm, or owes you anything, charge it 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.

19. I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it... without further mention of your debt to me, which is you yourself.

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

20. So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this comfort in Christ.

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

21. Confident of your obedience I write to you, knowing 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.

22. And one more thing, get a lodging ready for me because, thanks to all your prayers, I hope to return to you.

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

23. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings.

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

24. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my assistants.

25. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen. <[Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.]>

25. May the grace of the Lord Christ be with you. Amen!