Philemon 1

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

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

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

to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:

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

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

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

I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,

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

because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.

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

I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,

9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

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

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

11 who was aforetime unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

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

13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.

15 For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; (aiōnios g166)

For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— (aiōnios g166)

16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.

So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

18 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;

But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee how that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

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

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

21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

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

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,

24 [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

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

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

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