Philemon

Paul

a prisoner of Christ Jesus

And Timothy the brother

To Philemon the beloved and our fellow-worker

And to Apphia the sister

And to Archippus

our fellow-soldier

And to the church in your house.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

And from the Lord

the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always

making mention of you

In my prayers

hearing of your love

And of the faith which you have toward the Lord

The Lord Jesus and to all the saints

That the fellowship of your faith may become

Operative in the full knowledge

Of every good thing which is in us for Christ

For I had much joy and encouragement over your love

Because the inward parts of the saints

Have been refreshed through you

brother.

Wherefore

having much boldness in Christ

To charge you what is fitting

Because of love I rather entreat

Being such a one as Paul

the aged

And now also a prisoner of Christ

A prisoner of Christ Jesus.

I entreat you concerning my child

Whom I’ve begotten in my bonds

Onesimus

who formerly was useless to you

But now is useful both to you and to me;

Onesimus

whom I have sent back to you—

Him

that is

my heart

my very heart;

Whom I resolved to keep with myself

That on your behalf he might minister

Might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel

But without your mind I did not want to do anything

That your goodness should not be of necessity

But your goodness be voluntary.

For perhaps therefore he was separated from you

For an hour that you might fully have him forever

No longer as a slave

but above a slave

A beloved brother

especially to me

And how much more to you

both in the flesh

Both in the flesh and in the Lord.

If then you hold me as a partner

Receive him as myself

And if he has wronged

has wronged you in anything

Or owes anything

charge that to my account;

If you hold me a partner

receive him as myself

And if he has wronged you

charge that to my account.

I Paul have written with my own hand

I will repay; I will repay;

Not to say to you that you owe me even your own self

Your own self besides.

Yes

brother

may I have profit from you in the Lord;

Refresh my inward parts in Christ.

Having confidence in your obedience

I wrote to you

knowing that you’ll do beyond what I say

And at the same time also prepare me a lodging;

For I hope that through your prayers I shall be

Through your prayers I shall be graciously

I shall be graciously given to you.

Epaphras

my fellow-prisoner

In Christ Jesus

greets you;

As do Mark

and Aristarchus

Demas

and Luke

my fellow-workers.

The grace of the Lord

of the Lord Jesus Christ

Be with your spirit

with your spirit.