Philemon 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 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;

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, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 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;

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

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

15 For, peradventure, for this cause, was he separated for an hour, that, as an age-abiding possession, thou mightest have him back, — (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 brother beloved, very greatly 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 unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

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

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

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

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

19 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.

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

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

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

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

22 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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