| 1:1 |
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer, |
| 1:2 |
and to Apphia, most beloved sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house. |
| 1:3 |
Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 1:4 |
I give thanks to my God, always keeping remembrance of you in my prayers, |
| 1:5 |
(for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints) |
| 1:6 |
so that the participation of your faith may become evident by the recognition of every good work which is in you in Christ Jesus. |
| 1:7 |
For I have found great joy and consolation in your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. |
| 1:8 |
Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things, |
| 1:9 |
but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. |
| 1:10 |
I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus. |
| 1:11 |
In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you. |
| 1:12 |
So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart. |
| 1:13 |
I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel. |
| 1:14 |
But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly. |
| 1:15 |
So perhaps, then, he departed from you for a time, so that you might receive him again for eternity, |
| 1:16 |
no longer as a servant, but, in place of a servant, a most beloved brother, especially to me: but how much so more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord! |
| 1:17 |
Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me. |
| 1:18 |
But if he has harmed you in any way, or if he is in your debt, charge it to me. |
| 1:19 |
I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay. And I need not tell you, that you are also in debt yourself, to me. |
| 1:20 |
So it is, brother. May I delight with you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. |
| 1:21 |
I have written to you, trusting in your obedience, knowing, too, that you will do even more than what I say. |
| 1:22 |
But also, at once, prepare a lodging for me. For I am hoping, through your prayers, to present myself to you. |
| 1:23 |
Greet Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, |
| 1:24 |
and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers. |
| 1:25 |
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. |
