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

for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.

Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,

I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:

For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever:

not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord.

If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:

Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.

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