And to Apphia, our sister, and to Archippus, our brother in God's army, and to the church in your house:

because I hear of your love and of your faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints (God’s people).

and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

For I have found great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of God's people have been, and are, refreshed through you, my brother.

Therefore, though I might with Christ's authority speak very freely and order you to do what is fitting,

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 am sending him back to you, though in so doing I send part of myself.

I would have chosen to keep him with me, so that he might minister to me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel;

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.

For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently,

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me.

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.

Yes, brother, do me this favour for the Lord's sake. Refresh my heart in Christ.

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

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do

and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.