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Philemon 1
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1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
1This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker,
2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
2and to our sister Apphia, our fellow soldier Archippus, and the church that meets in your home.
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3May grace and peace be given to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
4I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers,
5hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
5because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
6that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.
6I pray that as you share your faith with others, you will develop a deep understanding of every good thing we have through Christ.
7For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, brother, because you have refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
8Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
8Because of this, although I have the authority in Christ to command you to do what is right,
9yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
9I prefer to ask you out of love. I, Paul, am an old man and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.
10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
10I am appealing to you on behalf of my child, Onesimus, who became a believer while I was here in prison.
11who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:
11In the past he was useless to you, but now he has become useful to both you and me.
12whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:
12I am sending him back to you, and with him goes my very heart.
13whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
13I wanted to keep him here with me so he could help me in your place while I am in prison for the gospel.
14but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
14However, I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I want your kindness to be voluntary, not something you feel forced to do.碎
15For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
15Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a little while—so that you could have him back forever.
16no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
16He is no longer just a slave, but much more than a slave; he is a beloved brother. He is especially dear to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a brother in the Lord.
17If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
17So, if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account;
18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will pay it back. And I won't even mention that you owe me your very life.
20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
20Yes, brother, do me this favor in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
21I am writing this because I am confident that you will obey me, and I know you will do even more than I ask.碎
22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
22One more thing: please prepare a guest room for me. I hope that through your prayers, I will be allowed to come and see you.
23Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
23Epaphras, who is a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.