1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
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, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
12 I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that on mine account;
18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
19 I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand, I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
21 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 trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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. <<[Written>>
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.