| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker-- | 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, |
| 2also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier--and to the church that meets in your home: | 2and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. |
| 3Grace and peace to you 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 always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, | 4I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, |
| 5because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. | 5because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. |
| 6I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. | 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. |
| 7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. | 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 |
| 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, | 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 I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-- | 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. |
| 10that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. | 10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. |
| 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you 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. |
| 12I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. | 12I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. |
| 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for 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 I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. | 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. |
| 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever-- | 15It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. |
| 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother 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. |
| 17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. | 17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. |
| 18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. | 18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. |
| 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self. | 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 ! |
| 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. | 20Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. |
| 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. | 21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! |
| 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. | 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 |
| 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. | 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. |
| 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. | 24So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. |
| 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. | 25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | 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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