Philemon 1
Paul, writing as a prisoner, appeals to Philemon on behalf of his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a believer under Paul's ministry. He asks Philemon to receive Onesimus no longer as a servant but as a beloved brother in Christ, and pledges to repay anything Onesimus owes.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, | From Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from Timothy our brother — to Philemon our dearly loved friend and fellow worker, |
| 2 | And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: | and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in Your house: |
| 3 | Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Grace and peace to You from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 4 | I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, | I always thank my God whenever I mention You in my prayers, |
| 5 | Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; | because I keep hearing about Your love and Your faith — your faith toward 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. | I pray that the sharing of Your faith would become powerful through Your knowledge of every good thing that is in You for the sake of Christ Jesus. |
| 7 | For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. | Your love has brought us great joy and comfort, brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by You. |
| 8 | Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, | So then, although in Christ I could be very bold and simply order You to do what is right, |
| 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. | yet for love's sake I would rather appeal to You. I am Paul — an old man now, and a prisoner of Jesus Christ as well — |
| 10 | I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: | and I am appealing to You for my son Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. |
| 11 | Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: | Once He was useless to You — but now He is truly useful, both to You and to me. |
| 12 | Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: | I am sending Him back to You. Welcome Him — he is my very heart. |
| 13 | Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: | I would have liked to keep Him here with me, so that in Your place He could serve 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. | But I did not want to do anything without Your consent, so that whatever kindness You do would not be forced but would come from Your own free choice. |
| 15 | For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; | Perhaps the reason He was separated from You for a little while was so that You might have Him back forever — |
| 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? | no longer as a servant, but more than a servant — as a beloved brother. He is very dear to me, and how much more to You, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. |
| 17 | If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. | So if You count me as a partner, welcome Him as You would welcome me. |
| 18 | If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; | And if He has wronged You in any way, or owes You anything, charge it to my account. |
| 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. | I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. (Though I will not even 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. | Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. |
| 21 | Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. | 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. | And one thing more — prepare a guest room for me; for I am trusting that through your prayers I will be given back to you. |
| 23 | There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; | Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends You His greetings — |
| 24 | Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. | and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke — my fellow workers. |
| 25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Your spirit. Amen. |