1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and coworker,
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you{+} and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, to Christ.
7 For I had much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin you [to do] that which is befitting,
9 yet for love's sake I rather urge, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:
10 I urge you for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to you and to me:
12 whom I have sent back to you in his own person, that is, my very heart:
13 whom I was hoping to keep with me, that in your behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good news:
14 but without your mind I would do nothing; that your goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted [from you] for a season, that you should have him forever;
16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as [you would] me.
18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes [you] anything, put that to my account;
19 I Paul write it with my own hand, I will repay it: that I should not have to say to you that you owe to me even your own self besides.
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
22 But as well, also prepare a lodging for me: for I hope that through your{+} prayers I will be granted to you{+}.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you;
24 [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my coworkers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your{+} spirit.