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Paul, the bound of Christ Jesus [the bound of Jesus Christ], and Timothy, brother, to Philemon, beloved, and our helper [and our even-worker],

and to Apphia, most dear sister, and to Archippus, our even-knight, and to the church that is in thine house,

grace be to you [grace to you], and peace of God our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I do thankings to my God, evermore making mind of thee in my prayers,

hearing thy charity and faith, that thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and to all holy men,

that the communing of thy faith be made open, in knowing of all good thing in Christ Jesus.

And I had great joy and comfort in thy charity, for the entrails of holy men rested by thee, brother. [Forsooth I had great joy and comfort in thy charity, for the entrails of holy men rested, or were refreshed, by thee, brother.]

For which thing I having much trust in Christ Jesus, to command to thee that that pertaineth to profit;

but I beseech more for charity, since thou art such as the old Paul, and now the bound of Jesus Christ.[a]

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I in bonds begat,

11 which sometime was unprofitable to thee [which sometime was to thee unprofitable], but now profitable, both to thee and to me;

12 whom I sent again to thee. And receive thou him as mine entrails;

13 whom I would withhold with me, that he should serve for thee to me in bonds of the gospel;

14 but without thy counsel I would not do any thing, that thy good should not be as of need, but willful.

15 For peradventure therefore he departed from thee for a time, that thou shouldest receive him without end [that thou shouldest receive him into without end];

16 now not as a servant, but for a servant [but more than a servant] a most dear brother, most to me; and how much more to thee, both in [the] flesh and in the Lord?

17 Therefore if thou hast me a fellow, receive him as me;

18 for if he hath any thing harmed thee, either oweth, areckon thou this thing to me. [forsooth if he hath any thing harmed thee, or oweth, reckon thou this thing to me.]

19 I Paul wrote with mine hand, I shall yield; that I say not to thee, that also thou owest to me thyself.

20 So, brother, I shall use thee in the Lord; fill thou mine entrails in Christ [full-fill mine entrails in Christ].

21 I trusting of thine obedience wrote to thee, witting that thou shalt do over that that I say.

22 Also make thou ready to me an house to dwell in; for I hope that by your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 Epaphras, prisoner with me in Christ Jesus [mine even-captive in Christ Jesus], greeteth thee well,

24 and Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, mine helpers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:9 more for charity I beseech thee, since thou art such as Paul the old, now forsooth and the bound of Jesus Christ.

Paul, a prisoner(A) of Christ Jesus, and Timothy(B) our brother,(C)

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker(D) also to Apphia our sister and Archippus(E) our fellow soldier(F)—and to the church that meets in your home:(G)

Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(H)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

I always thank my God(I) as I remember you in my prayers,(J) because I hear about your love for all his holy people(K) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.(L) I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,(M) because you, brother, have refreshed(N) the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you(O) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner(P) of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son(Q) Onesimus,[b](R) who became my son while I was in chains.(S) 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 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(T) for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced(U) but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave,(V) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.(W) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner,(X) welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.(Y) 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.(Z) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh(AA) my heart in Christ. 21 Confident(AB) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be(AC) restored to you in answer to your prayers.(AD)

23 Epaphras,(AE) my fellow prisoner(AF) in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark,(AG) Aristarchus,(AH) Demas(AI) and Luke, my fellow workers.(AJ)

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.(AK)

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Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:3 The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
  2. Philemon 1:10 Onesimus means useful.