1 P aul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timotheus the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

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 Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and the assembly 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 give thanks to my God, always making mention of thee in my prayers,

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

5 h earing of thy love and faith that thou hast unto the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

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

6 t hat the fellowship of thy faith may become working in the full knowledge of every good thing that in you toward 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 much joy and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed through 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 W herefore, having in Christ much boldness to command thee that which is fit --

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

9 b ecause of the love I rather entreat, being such an 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 entreat thee concerning my child -- whom I did beget in my bonds -- Onesimus,

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 once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

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 did send again, and thou him (that is, my own bowels) receive,

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

13 w hom I did wish to retain to myself, that in thy behalf he might minister to me in the bonds of the good news,

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 a nd apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity thy good deed may not be, but of willingness,

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 f or perhaps because of this he did depart for an hour, that age-duringly thou mayest have him,

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

16 n o more as a servant, but above a servant -- a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to 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, then, with me thou hast fellowship, receive him as me,

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

18 a nd if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;

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

19 I , Paul did write with my hand, I -- I will repay; that I may not say that also thyself, besides, to me thou dost owe.

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 Y es, brother, may I have profit of thee in the Lord; refresh my bowels 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 been confident in thy obedience I did write to thee, having known that also above what I may say thou wilt do;

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

22 a nd at the same time also prepare for me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

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

23 S alute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)

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

24 M arkus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!

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

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

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