| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, | 1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker-- |
| 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: | 2also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier--and to the church that meets in your home: |
| 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | 3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, | 4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, |
| 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; | 5because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. |
| 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. | 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. |
| 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 great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. |
| 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, | 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought 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. | 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-- |
| 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: | 10that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. |
| 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: | 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. |
| 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: | 12I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. |
| 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: | 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. |
| 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. | 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. |
| 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; | 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might 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? | 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. |
| 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. | 17So if you consider me a 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 done you any wrong 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. | 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self. |
| 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. | 20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. |
| 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. | 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. |
| 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. | 22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. |
| 23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; | 23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. |
| 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. | 24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. |
| 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. | 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. |
|
