I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

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.

I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

whom I was desirous of keeping with myself, that for thee he might minister to me in the bonds of the glad tidings;

Nevertheless, without thy mind, would I do nothing, that that good which springeth of thee should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

If, therefore, thou holdest me as one in thy fellowship, take him unto thee, as myself;

But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account;

I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;

Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.