| 1:1 | PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and brother Timothy to Philemon our muchloved fellowworker, |
| 1:2 | to Apphia our sister and Archippus who is with us in the fight; to the church that meets in your home |
| 1:3 | grace and peace be to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 1:4 | I always thank God for you, Philemon, in my constant prayers for you, |
| 1:5 | for I have heard how you love and trust both the Lord Jesus himself and those who believe in him. |
| 1:6 | And I pray that those who share your faith may be led into the knowledge of all the good things that believing in Christ Jesus means to us. |
| 1:7 | It is your love, my brother, that gives us such comfort and happiness, and it cheers the hearts of your fellowChristians. |
| 1:8 | And although I could rely on my authority in Christ and dare to order you to do what I consider right, I am not doing that. |
| 1:9 | No, I am appealing in love, a simple personal appeal from Paul the old man, in prison for Christ Jesus' sake. |
| 1:10 | I am appealing for my child. Yes I have become a father though I have been under lock and key, and the child's name isOnesimus! |
| 1:11 | Oh, I know you have found him useless in the past but he is going to be useful now, to both of us. |
| 1:12 | I am sending him back to youpart of my very heart. |
| 1:13 | I should have dearly loved to have kept him with me: he could have done what you would have donelooked after me here in prison for the gospel's sake. |
| 1:14 | But I would do nothing without consulting you first, for if you have a favor to give me, let it be spontaneous and not forced from you by circumstances! It occurs to me that there has been a purpose in your losing him. |
| 1:15 | You lost him, a slave for a time; now you are having him back for good, |
| 1:16 | not merely as a slave, but as a beloved brother, He is already especially dear to mehow much more will you be able to love him, both as a man and as a fellowChristian! |
| 1:17 | You and I have been true friends, haven't we? Then do welcome him as you would welcome me. |
| 1:18 | If he has wronged or cheated you put it down to my account. |
| 1:19 | I've written this with my own hand: I, Paul, hereby promise to repay you. (Of course I'm not stressing the fact that you might be said to owe me your very soul!) |
| 1:20 | Now do grant me this favor, my brothersuch a Christian act would set my heart at rest. |
| 1:21 | As I send you this letter I know you'll do what I askI believe, in fact, you'll do more. Will you do something else? |
| 1:22 | Get the guestroom ready for me, for I have great hopes that through your prayers I myself will be returned to you as well! |
| 1:23 | Epaphras, here in prison with me for Christ Jesus' sake, sends his greetings; |
| 1:24 | so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, all fellowworkers of mine. |
| 1:25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, amen. |
Filemon 1 - Philips NT in Modern English
