Philemon 1:10,20 - Compare All Versions

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While here in jail, I’ve fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter—Onesimus! He was useless to you before; now he’s useful to both of us. I’m sending him back to you, but it feels like I’m cutting off my right arm in doing so. I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I’m in jail for the Message. But I didn’t want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn’t willingly agreed to.

So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. This is my personal signature—Paul—and I stand behind it. (I don’t need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) Do me this big favor, friend. You’ll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment

Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

am pleading with you for my child Onesimus, who became my child while I was in prison.

So, my brother, I ask that you do this for me in the Lord: Refresh my heart in Christ.

I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

I appeal to you for my [own spiritual] child Onesimus, whom I have fathered [in the faith] while a captive in these chains.

Yes, brother, let me have some benefit and joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

I’d much rather make an appeal because of our friendship. So here I am, an old man, a prisoner for Christ, making my loving appeal to you. It is on behalf of my child, whose spiritual father I became while here in prison; that is, Onesimus.

Yes, my brother, enrich my soul in the Lord—refresh my heart in Christ!

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.

Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.