1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow-worker,
2 and to Apphia, the sister, and to Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
4 I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and 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 in you, for Christ.
7 For I had much joy and consolation on account of your love, because the tender affections of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8 Wherefore, though having much boldness in Christ to enjoin upon you that which is becoming,
9 yet for love's sake I rather exhort, being such a one as Paul an aged man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus:
10 I beseech you for my child, whom I begat in my bonds, Onesimus,
11 who at one time was unprofitable to you, but now profitable to you and to me;
12 whom I sent back to you, in his own person, that is, my very heart;
13 whom I was disposed to keep with me, that in your stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the Gospel;
14 but, without your consent, I was willing to do nothing; that your beneficence might not be by necessity, but by choice.
15 For, perhaps, he departed for a season for this reason, that you might have him back forever;
16 no longer as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord!
17 If, therefore, you hold me as a partner, receive him as myself.
18 But, if he wronged you in anything, or owes you anything, set down this to my account.
19 I Paul wrote it with my own hand, I will repay it; that I say not to you, that you owe me even your own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, I would have joy of you in the Lord! refresh my tender affections in Christ.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
22 But, at the same time, prepare also a lodging for me; for I hope that, through your prayers, I shall be given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus, salutes you;
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.