King James Version KJV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work -
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
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also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house.
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
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Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
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I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.
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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And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.
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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Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary,
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 I'd rather make it a personal request.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus!
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
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He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.
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 wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.
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 behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good -
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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and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me - he'll be even more than that to you.
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.
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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This is my personal signature - Paul - and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.
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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And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
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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All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.