Philemon 1

1 PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon the beloved, and our fellow-labourer,

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer,

2 and to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church at thy house:

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

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

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

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

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

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

Hearing of your love (agape) and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 that there may be an operative communication of thy faith made known by every good thing, which is in you towards Jesus Christ.

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

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

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, (agape) because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin thee what is becoming,

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to admonish you that which is convenient,

9 I rather for love’s sake entreat, being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

Yet for love's (agape) sake I rather plead to you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus:

I plead to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11 who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me:

Which in time past was to you useless, but now profitable to you and to me:

12 whom I have sent back; thou therefore receive him, even as my own bowels:

Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 whom I wished to detain about myself, that in thy stead he might have waited upon me during my bonds for the gospel:

Whom I would have retained with me, that in your position he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14 but without thy consent would I do nothing; that this good deed of thine might not be as of necessity, but from thy own choice.

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

15 For to this end perhaps was he separated from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

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

16 no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by 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 unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself.

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

18 If he hath injured thee or oweth thee ought, put that to my account;

If he has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on mine account;

19 I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me.

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: although it be I do not say to you how you owe unto me even your own self besides.

20 Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

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

Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

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

But likewise prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

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

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

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

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Amen. Written to Philemon from Rome, by Onesimus one of his household.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (pneuma) Amen.