1 ¶ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy, our brother, unto Philemon, our dearly beloved and fellowlabourer,

This letter is from Paul. I am in prison because of Jesus Christ. Brother Timothy is also writing to you, Philemon. You are a much-loved workman together with us.

2 A nd to our beloved sister, Apphia, and Archippus, our fellowsoldier and to the congregation in thy house:

We are also writing to the church that meets in your home. This letter is also for our Christian sister Apphia and it is for Archippus who is a soldier together with us.

3 G race to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you His loving-favor and peace.

4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

I always thank God when I speak of you in my prayers.

5 h earing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and toward all saints;

It is because I hear of your love and trust in the Lord Jesus and in all the Christians.

6 t hat the communication of thy faith may become effectual for the knowledge of all the good that is in you by Christ Jesus.

I pray that our faith together will help you know all the good things you have through Christ Jesus.

7 F or we have great joy and consolation in thy charity because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Your love has given me much joy and comfort. The hearts of the Christians have been made happy by you, Christian brother.

8 ¶ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command thee that which is expedient,

So now, through Christ, I am free to tell you what you must do.

9 y et for the sake of charity I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

But because I love you, I will only ask you. I am Paul, an old man, here in prison because of Jesus Christ.

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

I am asking you for my son, Onesimus. He has become my son in the Christian life while I have been here in prison.

11 w ho in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now is profitable to thee and to me,

At one time he was of no use to you. But now he is of use to you and to me.

12 w hom I send again unto thee; therefore, receive him, as you would receive me.

I am sending him back to you. It is like sending you my own heart.

13 I desired to retain him with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel,

I would like to keep him with me. He could have helped me in your place while I am in prison for preaching the Good News.

14 b ut I did not want to do anything without thy counsel, that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

But I did not want to keep him without word from you. I did not want you to be kind to me because you had to but because you wanted to.

15 P erhaps for this, he departed from you for a season, that thou should have him again forever,

He ran away from you for awhile. But now he is yours forever.

16 n ot now as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord.

Do not think of him any longer as a servant you own. He is more than that to you. He is a much-loved Christian brother to you and to me.

17 I f thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

If you think of me as a true friend, take him back as you would take me.

18 I f he has wronged thee or owes thee anything, put that on my account;

If he has done anything wrong or owes you anything, send me the bill.

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

I will pay it. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will not talk about how much you owe me because you owe me your life.

20 T herefore, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord, that thou might refresh my heart in the Lord.

Yes, Christian brother, I want you to be of use to me as a Christian. Give my heart new joy in Christ.

21 H aving confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

I write this letter knowing you will do what I ask and even more.

22 I n the same manner prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Please have a room ready for me. I trust God will answer your prayers and let me come to you soon.

23 E paphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes thee.

Epaphras says hello. He is a brother in Christ in prison with me.

24 M arcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Mark and Aristarchus and Demas and Luke who are workers with me say hello.

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

May the loving-favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.