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 the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly 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 thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

I thank my God always, making mention of 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;

hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward 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.

that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us 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 much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

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

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

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 appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

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

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

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

who once was useless to you, but now is useful 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 him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own 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:

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

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

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of 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 he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever, (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 more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

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

If then you count 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 at all or owes you anything, put that 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 to you that you owe to me even your 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 from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart 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 your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

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

Also, prepare a guest room for me, for 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, greets you,

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 our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.