Philemon 1

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

Paul, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy my brother, —unto Philemon the beloved, and a fellow worker of ours,

2 and to Apphia our sister, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

And unto Apphia our sister. And unto Archippus our fellow-soldier, and unto the assembly which meeteth, at thy house:

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

Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.

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

I am giving thanks unto my God—always, making mention, of thee, in my prayers,

5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

Hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints, —

6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you in Christ.

To the end that, the fellowship of thy faith, may become, energetic, by a personal knowledge of every good thing that is in us towards Christ;

7 For I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

For, much joy, have I had, and encouragement, by occasion of thy love, in that, the tender affections of the saints, have had rest given them by thee, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

Wherefore, though I have, much, freedom of speech, in Christ, to be enjoining upon thee that which is befitting,

9 yet on the basis of love I rather appeal, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

Yet, for loves sake, I rather exhort, —being, such a one, as Paul the aged, now, also, even a prisoner of Christ Jesus, —

10 I appeal to you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,

I exhort thee concerning my own child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, —Onesimus:

11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

Him who, at one time, was, unto thee, unserviceable, but, now, unto thee and unto me, serviceable;

12 I am sending back to you, him who is my very heart,

Whom I have sent back unto thee—him, that is, my own, tender affections!—

13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.

Whom, I, was minded, with myself, to detain, that, in thy behalf, unto me, he might be ministering in the bonds of the joyful message;

14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

But, apart from thy mind, I wished to do, nothing, that, not as by necessity, thy goodness should be, but, by choice.

15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, (aiōnios g166)

For, peradventure, for this cause, was he separated for an hour, that, as an age-abiding possession, thou mightest have him back, — (aiōnios g166)

16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

No longer as a servant, but above a servant—a brother beloved, very greatly to me, but, how much rather, to thee—both in the flesh and in the Lord!

17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;

18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.

And, if he hath wronged thee at all or oweth thee aught, the same, unto me, do thou reckon: —

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

I, Paul, have written [it] with, my own, hand, —I, will repay [it]; that I may not tell thee—that, thyself, unto me, thou still owest.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Yea! brother, I, would, from thee, have help, in the Lord: give rest unto my tender affections in Christ.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

Confident of thine obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that, even beyond what I say, thou wilt do: —

22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

At the same time, moreover, be also getting ready for me, a lodging; for I am hoping that, through your prayers, I shall be granted as a favour unto you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

There salute thee—Epaphras my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, —my fellow-workers.

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

The favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, be with your spirit.