Philemon 1

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

Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, and to the beloved Apphia,

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

and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thine house,

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 from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

(hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to 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.

that the communication of thy faith may become effectual in the acknowledgement of all the good that is in you towards Christ Jesus:

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

for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.

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

Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,

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.

I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

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

I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

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

who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:

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

him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.

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

Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.

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

But I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary.

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

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

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?

not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord.

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

If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.

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

If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:

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.

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.

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

Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do 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.

But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.

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

Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, and Marcus,

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

Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.

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.