Font Size
Philemon 12-16
English Standard Version
Philemon 12-16
English Standard Version
12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me (A)on your behalf (B)during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be (C)by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why (D)he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 (E)no longer as a bondservant[a] but more than a bondservant, as (F)a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, (G)both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Philemon 1:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; twice in this verse
Philemon 12-16
New International Version
Philemon 12-16
New International Version
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(A) 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(B) 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,(C) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.(D) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.