Philemon 1

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

Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer,

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

And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy 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 thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of 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 without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

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

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever; (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.

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

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

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

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

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on 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 have written [it] with my own hand, I will repay [it]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides.

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

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

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

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

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

But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

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

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

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

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.

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.