Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer;

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

2 And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house:

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

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

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

4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

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

5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and towards all the saints:

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

6 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work, that is in you in Christ Jesus.

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

7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

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

8 Wherefore though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose:

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command thee what is befitting,

9 For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul an old man, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

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.

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

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

11 Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable both to me and thee,

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

12 Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

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

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

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 without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

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

15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee, that thou mightest receive him again for ever: (aiōnios g166)

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

16 Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me: but how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord?

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

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

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

18 And if he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee any thing, put that on my account;

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee, that thou owest me thy own self also.

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. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

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

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

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

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

There greet thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow labourers.

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellowlabourers.

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

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