The Holy New Covenant
2004 by Thomas Hackett
Phm 1:1 From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, our brother. To: Philemon, our co-worker (you to whom we give ourselves, for your good, expecting nothing in return);
Phm 1:2 also the group that meets in your home; Apphia, our sister; and Archippus, our co-soldier.
Phm 1:3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you help in time of need and peace.
Phm 1:4 I always thank my God for you. I always remember you in my prayers.
Phm 1:5 I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and for your giving of yourself to all of the saints, for their good, expecting nothing in return.
Phm 1:6 I pray that you will actively share your faith with a real understanding of every good thing which we have in Christ.
Phm 1:7 I feel very happy and encouraged because of your giving to others, for their good, expecting nothing in return. Brother, you have lifted up the hearts of the saints.
Phm 1:8 And so, in Christ, I have plenty of freedom to order you to do what you should do.
Phm 1:9 But because of giving myself to you, expecting nothing in return, I would rather encourage. I, Paul, am an old man and also now a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
Phm 1:10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus. He became my child while I was in prison.
Phm 1:11 Before this, he was not useful to you but now he is useful to you and me.
Phm 1:12 I send him — my very heart — back to you.
Phm 1:13 I was wanting to keep him for myself. While in prison for the Good News, he could have helped me as your servant.
Phm 1:14 But I did not want to do anything unless you knew about it. Then your goodness would not be forced. It would be because you really wanted to do it.
Phm 1:15 Perhaps this is why Onesimus was separated from you for a while. Now you can have him back forever.
Phm 1:16 Onesimus is not really a slave anymore. No, he is more than a slave; he is a brother — to whom we give ourselves — especially a brother to me. But this is even truer for you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Phm 1:17 If you think of me as your partner in the Faith, accept Onesimus as you would accept me.
Phm 1:18 If he did anything wrong toward you or if he owes you money, put that on my bill.
Phm 1:19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: "I will pay you back." (I won’t mention that you owe me your very life.)
Phm 1:20 Yes, brother, I hope in the Lord that you will lift up my heart in Christ.
Phm 1:21 As I write this letter, I’m sure you will obey. I know that you will do even more than I am asking for.
Phm 1:22 Oh yes, prepare a guest room for me. I hope to be given back to you because you are praying for this.
Phm 1:23 Epaphras, my cellmate in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you.
Phm 1:24 My co-workers — Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke — send you their greetings too.
Phm 1:25 May the help in time of need of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
