1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow worker, 2to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God always, as I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints: 6I pray that the faith you share with us might deepen your understanding of every good thing you have in Christ. 7For I have had much joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8So, although I have enough confidence in Christ to command you to do what is proper, 9I rather appeal to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus – 10I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became while in chains, 11who was formerly useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. 12I have sent him back to you, that is, my very heart, 13whom I desired to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might serve me while I am in chains for the gospel, 14but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness might not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.
15For perhaps it was for this reason he was separated from you for a time, so that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother (especially to me, but how much more to you), both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, have written this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe me even your very self). 20Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21Being confident in your obedience I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than what I say.
22And at the same time also, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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