King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
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to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
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When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
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because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.
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 sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ.
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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I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty,
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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yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment.
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
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Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
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 to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel;
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 preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might 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 more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that 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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I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
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 thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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and so 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 Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.