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

For we have much joy and encouragement in thy love, because the bowels of the sanctified have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command thee that which is befitting,

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 child Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds.

A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back.

Whom I have sent back unto thee - him, that is, my own, tender affections! -

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 for this reason he has been separated from thee for a time, that thou mightest possess him fully for ever;

no longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in flesh and in Lord.

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

But if he has wronged thee, or owes anything, charge this to me.

I Paul write with my hand, I will repay, so that I may not say to thee that thou owe me in return even thyself.

Yes, brother, let me have a favor of thee in Lord. Refresh my bowels in Lord.

Being confident in thine obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou will do above what I say.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes thee,

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