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

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, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

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

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now 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;

Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

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

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

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

Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellowlaborers, salute thee.