I thank my God at all times, making mention of thee in my prayers,

For we have great thankfulness and comfort on account of thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

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

yet for loves sake I beseech thee rather; being such a one as Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

I beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus;

who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me;

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

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

And if he wronged thee in anything, or oweth thee, put that to my account.

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; not to say to thee, that to me thou owest even thy own self besides.

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

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

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