| King James Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, | 1This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, |
| 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: | 2and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. |
| 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | 3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer |
| 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, | 4I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, |
| 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; | 5because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. |
| 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. | 6And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. |
| 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. | 7Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus |
| 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, | 8That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. |
| 9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. | 9But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. |
| 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: | 10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. |
| 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: | 11Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. |
| 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: | 12I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. |
| 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: | 13I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. |
| 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. | 14But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. |
| 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; | 15It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. |
| 16Not 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? | 16He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. |
| 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. | 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. |
| 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; | 18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. |
| 19I 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. | 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul ! |
| 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. | 20Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. |
| 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. | 21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! |
| 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. | 22One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. Paul’s Final Greetings |
| 23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; | 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. |
| 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. | 24So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. |
| 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. | 25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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