Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

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

2 and Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly in your house:

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

3 Grace 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 give thanks to my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

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

5 hearing of your love and faith that you have to the Lord Jesus and toward all the holy ones,

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

6 that the fellowship of your faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that [is] in you toward Christ Jesus;

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 much joy and comfort in your love, because the yearnings of the holy ones have been refreshed through you, brother.

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

8 For this reason, having in Christ much boldness to command you that which is fit—

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

9 because of the love I rather plead, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of 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 beg you concerning my child—whom I begot in my bonds—Onesimus,

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

11 who once was to you unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to you,

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

12 whom I sent again to you—he who is my own heart,

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

13 whom I intended to retain to myself, that in your behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,

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 apart from your mind I willed to do nothing, so that your good deed may not be as of necessity, but of willingness,

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

15 for perhaps because of this he departed for an hour, that you may have him continuously, (aiōnios g166)

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

16 no longer as a servant, but above a servant—a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, 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, then, you have fellowship with me, receive him as me,

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

18 and if he did hurt to you, or owes anything, charge this to me;

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

19 I, Paul, wrote with my hand, I will repay; besides, that I may not say that you also owe to me yourself.

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 Yes, brother, may I have profit of you in the LORD; refresh my yearnings in the LORD;

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

21 I wrote to you having been confident in your obedience, having known that you will also do above what I may say;

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

22 and at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you.

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

23 Epaphras greets you (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus),

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

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-workmen!

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

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [is] with your spirit! Amen.

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