Greetings from Paul and Timothy (Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)
1 CPDV Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow laborer, BSB BSB: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,
2 CPDV and to Apphia, most beloved sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in your house. BSB BSB: to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
3 CPDV Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Faith and Love 4 CPDV I give thanks to my God, always keeping remembrance of you in my prayers, BSB BSB: I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers,
5 CPDV (for I am hearing of your charity and faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus and with all the saints) BSB BSB: because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
6 CPDV so that the participation of your faith may become evident by the recognition of every good work which is in you in Christ Jesus. BSB BSB: I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ.
7 CPDV For I have found great joy and consolation in your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. BSB BSB: I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus 8 CPDV Because of this, I have enough confidence in Christ Jesus to command you concerning certain things, BSB BSB: So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,
9 CPDV but I beg you instead, for the sake of charity, since you are so much like Paul: an old man and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
10 CPDV I beg you, on behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my chains, Onesimus. BSB BSB: I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.
11 CPDV In times past, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to me and to you. BSB BSB: Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 CPDV So I have sent him back to you. And may you receive him like my own heart. BSB BSB: I am sending back to you him who is my very heart.
13 CPDV I myself wanted to retain him with me, so that he might minister to me, on your behalf, while I am in the chains of the Gospel. BSB BSB: I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
14 CPDV But I was willing to do nothing without your counsel, so as not to make use of your good deed as if out of necessity, but only willingly. BSB BSB: But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.
17 CPDV Therefore, if you hold me to be a companion, receive him as you would me. BSB BSB: So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
18 CPDV But if he has harmed you in any way, or if he is in your debt, charge it to me. BSB BSB: But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
19 CPDV I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay. And I need not tell you, that you are also in debt yourself, to me. BSB BSB: I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
20 CPDV So it is, brother. May I delight with you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. BSB BSB: Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 CPDV I have written to you, trusting in your obedience, knowing, too, that you will do even more than what I say. BSB BSB: Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 CPDV But also, at once, prepare a lodging for me. For I am hoping, through your prayers, to present myself to you. BSB BSB: In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Additional Greetings 23 CPDV Greet Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, BSB BSB: Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,
24 CPDV and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers. BSB BSB: as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 CPDV May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. BSB BSB: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.