Philemon 1 - Julia E. Smith Translation 1876

¹ PAUL, imprisoned of Jesus Christ, 'Timothy the brother, to Philemon, dearly beloved, and cooperating,

² And to the dearly beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and 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, always making remembrance of thee in my prayers,

⁵ Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou bast to the Lord Jesus, and to all the holy;

⁶ So that the mutual participation of thy faith might be effective in acknowledgment of every good in you to Christ Jesus.

⁷ For we have much grace and consolation upon thy love, for the bowels of the holy are refreshed by thee, brother.

⁸ Wherefore, having much freedom of speech in Christ to enjoin thee what concerns thee,

⁹ By love I beseech rather, being such as Paul an aged man, and now also the imprisoned of Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ I beseech thee for my child whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus.

¹¹ Once unprofitable to thee, but now more profitable to thee and to me:

¹² Whom I sent back: and thou him, that is, my bowels, receive again:

¹³ Whom I was wishing to retain to myself, that for thee he might serve me in the bonds of the good news:

¹⁴ But without thy judgment I would do nothing; that good might not be as according to necessity, but according to free will.

¹⁵ For perhaps therefore he was separated for a time, that thou mightest receive him forever;

¹⁶ No more as a servant, but above a servant, a dearly beloved brother, especially to me, and how much rather to thee, also in the flesh, and in the Lord?

¹⁷ If therefore thou hold me a participator, receive him in addition as me.

¹⁸ And if he injured thee any, or is indebted, charge this to me.

¹⁹ I Paul wrote with my hand, I will pay back: that I say not to thee, for thou owest thyself to me also in addition.

²⁰ Yea, brother, may I be profited by thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

²¹ Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt do above what I say to thee.

²² And at the same time also prepare for me a reception as a guest: for I hope that by your prayers I shall be given as a favor to you.

²³ Epaphras greets thee, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus;

²⁴ Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my co-workers.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with your spirit. Amen.