King James New American Standard Bible
  • 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
  • 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
  • 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
  • 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
  • 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
  • 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
  • 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
  • 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
  • 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
  • 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
  • 12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
  • 13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
  • 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
  • 15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
  • 16 Not 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?
  • 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
  • 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
  • 19 I 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.
  • 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
  • 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
  • 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
  • 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
  • 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
  • 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
  • 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,
  • 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
  • 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
  • 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;
  • 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.
  • 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
  • 8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,
  • 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
  • 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
  • 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
  • 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,
  • 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;
  • 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.
  • 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,
  • 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
  • 17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.
  • 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;
  • 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
  • 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
  • 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
  • 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
  • 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
  • 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
  • 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.*
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission.