1:1 Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker, |
1:2 And to Apphia, our beloved, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house: |
1:3 Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
1:4 I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, |
1:5 Having heard of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, |
1:6 So that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in you toward Christ Jesus. |
1:7 For we have great joy and encouragement on account of your love, because by you, brother, the saints have been refreshed unto the innermost parts of their beings. |
1:8 Therefore, I have much boldness in Christ to require of you that which is fitting, |
1:9 Yet for the sake of love I am encouraging you to do it instead, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ. |
1:10 I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds; |
1:11 Who was once of no service to you, but now he is profitable both to you and to me; whom I am sending back to you. |
1:12 But you (as if from the innermost part of my being) receive him, |
1:13 Whom I was desiring to retain with me, so that in your stead he might serve me while I am in prison for the gospel's sake. |
1:14 But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your good deed might not be of constraint, but of willingness. |
1:15 For perhaps on account of this he was separated from you for a time in order that you might receive him for eternity; |
1:16 No longer as a slave, but above a slave—as a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord? |
1:17 If therefore you count me as a partner, receive him as if he were me; |
1:18 But if in anything he has wronged you or owes you, charge it to my account. |
1:19 I, Paul, wrote this with my own hand; I will repay. I say this although (as I could say to you, but have not) you yourself are likewise indebted to me. |
1:20 Yes, brother, so that I may have this benefit from you in the Lord, refresh me in the Lord, even to the innermost part of my being. |
1:21 I wrote to you because I am fully persuaded of your willing compliance, knowing that you will do above and beyond what I have asked. |
1:22 But in addition, also prepare lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted release to you. |
1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you; |
1:24 As do also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. |
1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. |