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

for what I hear of the love and faith you have in the Lord Jesus and all his people,

I have been greatly pleased and encouraged over your love, for the hearts of God's people have been cheered, my brother, by you.

So although as a Christian I feel quite free to order you to do what ought to be done,

I prefer to appeal to you in the name of love, simply as what I am??aul, no less an envoy of Christ Jesus, though now a prisoner for him

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I have become here in prison.

I would have liked to keep him with me, to wait on me in your place while I am in prison for the good news,

For perhaps this is why you and he were parted for a while, that you might have him back forever,

And get ready to entertain me too, for I hope that I shall be restored to you, in answer to your prayers.

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