| | 1 | Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, | |
| | 2 | to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: | |
| | 3 | Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
| | 4 | I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, | |
| | 5 | because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. | |
| | 6 | I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. | |
| | 7 | Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. | |
| | 8 | Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, | |
| | 9 | yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-- | |
| | 10 | I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. | |
| | 11 | Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. | |
| | 12 | I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you. | |
| | 13 | I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. | |
| | 14 | But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. | |
| | 15 | Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- | |
| | 16 | no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. | |
| | 17 | So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. | |
| | 18 | If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. | |
| | 19 | I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self. | |
| | 20 | I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. | |
| | 21 | Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. | |
| | 22 | And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. | |
| | 23 | Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. | |
| | 24 | And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. | |
| | 25 | The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. | |
