1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to 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.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
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.
6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
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--
9 yet for loves sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
12 I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
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.
13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted (from thee) for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
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.
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.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
18 But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth (thee) aught, put that to mine account;
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.
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.
20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
24 (and so do) Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.