King James Version KJV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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From: Sha'ul, a prisoner for the sake of the Messiah Yeshua, and brother Timothy To: Our dear fellow-worker Philemon,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
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along with sister Apphia, our fellow-soldier Archippus and the congregation that gathers in your home:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Grace and shalom to you from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
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I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers, Philemon,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
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for I am hearing about your love and commitment to the Lord Yeshua and to all God's people.
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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I pray that the fellowship based on your commitment will produce full understanding of every good thing that is ours in union with the Messiah.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
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For your love has given me much joy and encouragement. Brother, you have refreshed the hearts of God's people.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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Therefore, I would not hesitate, in union with the Messiah, to direct you to do the thing you ought to do.
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.
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But since I Sha'ul, am the kind of person I am, an old man and now for the Messiah Yeshua's sake a prisoner besides, I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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My request to you concerns my son, of whom I became the father while here in prison, Onesimus.
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
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His name means "useful," and although he was once useless to you, he has now become most useful - not only to you but also to me;
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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so that in returning him to you I am sending a part of 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:
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I would dearly have loved to keep him with me, in order for him to serve me in your place while I am in prison because of the Good News.
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
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But I didn't want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do for me may be voluntary and not forced.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a brief period was so that you could 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?
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no longer as a slave but as more than a slave, as a dear brother. And that he is, especially to me. But how much dearer he must be to you, both humanly and in union with the Lord!
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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So if you are in fellowship with me, receive him as you would me.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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And if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
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.
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I, Sha'ul, write with my own hand. I will repay it. (I won't mention, of course, that you owe me your very life.)
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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Yes, brother, please do me this favor in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Messiah.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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Trusting that you will respond positively, I write knowing that you will indeed do more than I am asking.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
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One more thing: please get a room ready for me. For I hope that through the prayers of you all God will give me a chance to visit you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner for the sake of the Messiah Yeshua, sends greetings to you,
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow-workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. [Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.]
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The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with your spirit.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.