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

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Wherefore, though I have in Christ great liberty to enjoin thee what is becoming,

I entreat thee for my son, whom I have begotten during my bonds, Onesimus:

who in time past hath been an unprofitable servant to thee, but now very profitable to thee and to me:

For to this end perhaps was he separated from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever;

no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

If therefore thou holdest me a sharer with thee, receive him as myself.

If he hath injured thee or oweth thee ought, put that to my account;

I Paul have given it under my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee, that thou owest even thine own self unto me.

Yea, brother, I wish to have joy in thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;