Philemon
Wycliffe Bible
1 Paul, the bound of Christ Jesus [the bound of Jesus Christ], and Timothy, brother, to Philemon, beloved, and our helper [and our even-worker],
2 and to Apphia, most dear sister, and to Archippus, our even-knight, and to the church that is in thine house,
3 grace be to you [grace to you], and peace of God our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I do thankings to my God, evermore making mind of thee in my prayers,
5 hearing thy charity and faith, that thou hast in the Lord Jesus, and to all holy men,
6 that the communing of thy faith be made open, in knowing of all good thing in Christ Jesus.
7 And I had great joy and comfort in thy charity, for the entrails of holy men rested by thee, brother. [Forsooth I had great joy and comfort in thy charity, for the entrails of holy men rested, or were refreshed, by thee, brother.]
8 For which thing I having much trust in Christ Jesus, to command to thee that that pertaineth to profit;
9 but I beseech more for charity, since thou art such as the old Paul, and now the bound of Jesus Christ.[a]
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I in bonds begat,
11 which sometime was unprofitable to thee [which sometime was to thee unprofitable], but now profitable, both to thee and to me;
12 whom I sent again to thee. And receive thou him as mine entrails;
13 whom I would withhold with me, that he should serve for thee to me in bonds of the gospel;
14 but without thy counsel I would not do any thing, that thy good should not be as of need, but willful.
15 For peradventure therefore he departed from thee for a time, that thou shouldest receive him without end [that thou shouldest receive him into without end];
16 now not as a servant, but for a servant [but more than a servant] a most dear brother, most to me; and how much more to thee, both in [the] flesh and in the Lord?
17 Therefore if thou hast me a fellow, receive him as me;
18 for if he hath any thing harmed thee, either oweth, areckon thou this thing to me. [forsooth if he hath any thing harmed thee, or oweth, reckon thou this thing to me.]
19 I Paul wrote with mine hand, I shall yield; that I say not to thee, that also thou owest to me thyself.
20 So, brother, I shall use thee in the Lord; fill thou mine entrails in Christ [full-fill mine entrails in Christ].
21 I trusting of thine obedience wrote to thee, witting that thou shalt do over that that I say.
22 Also make thou ready to me an house to dwell in; for I hope that by your prayers I shall be given to you.
23 Epaphras, prisoner with me in Christ Jesus [mine even-captive in Christ Jesus], greeteth thee well,
24 and Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, mine helpers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Footnotes
- Philemon 1:9 more for charity I beseech thee, since thou art such as Paul the old, now forsooth and the bound of Jesus Christ.
Philemon
King James Version
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.
2001 by Terence P. Noble