Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and my brother Timothy, to our dearly loved fellow-worker Philemon,

yet I prefer to appeal to you for love's sake, although I am such as I am, Paul an envoy of Christ Jesus but now a prisoner for Him too;

yes, I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I have become while wearing these chains.

I would have liked to keep him with me, to wait on me in your stead while I wear these chains for the good news,

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,

And have a guest-room ready for me, too, for I hope that through your prayers I shall have the gracious privilege of coming to you.