to our beloved Appia, to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house, favour and peace be with you,

Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Jesus Christ's sake.

Once he proved to be useless, but now he is useful to you and me;

Though my desire was to keep him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your place:

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

It may be that he was separated from you for an hour, for this very reason, that you might have him back for ever,

not as a slave [only], but more than a slave, as a dearly loved brother. [He is that] to me especially, but how much more to you, both in a physical way [i.e., by continuing to serve as your slave] and in [the fellowship of] the Lord [i.e., now also as your brother in Christ].

If therefore thou holdest me to be a partner with thee, receive him as me;

and if he did hurt to thee, or doth owe anything, this to me be reckoning;

I, Paul, write [this] with my [own] hand: I will pay it back, lest I mention to you that {you owe me even your very self besides}.

So, brother, I would like to have your help in [the fellowship of] the Lord; cheer me up in Christ [i.e., by welcoming Onesimus back on good terms].

I am writing you, confident that you will be obedient [to my requests], and I know that you will do even more than I am asking [of you].

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner for Christ Jesus, wishes to be remembered to you,

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.