1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
1 Paul, a prisoner for 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:
2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
4 I thank my God always when I remember 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;
5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and 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.
6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good 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.
7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,
9 yet for loves sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
9 yet for loves sake I prefer to appeal to you -- I, Paul, an ambassador and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus --
10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.
11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)
12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
12 I am sending him back to you, sending 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:
13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment 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.
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted (from thee) for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
15 Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever,
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.
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth (thee) aught, put that to mine account;
18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.
19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it -- to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
20 Yes, brother, I want 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.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even 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.
22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be granted to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,
24 (and so do) Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.