To Philemon

Greeting

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, To Philemon our beloved and fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church at your house:

3 Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have for the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effectual in the full knowledge of every good thing in us for Christ. 7 For I have much joy and comfort from your love because the hearts^a of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, I have much boldness in Christ to command you to be proper 9 because of love I appeal to you greatly — I, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus — 10 I appeal to you concerning my child whose father I became in my imprisonment, Onesimus. 11 (Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he is useful to you and to me.) 12 I sent him to you. He is my heart. 13 I was willing to keep him with me in order that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but without your knowledge, I desired to do nothing in order that your goodness might not be by necessity but willingly. 15 For this reason, perhaps, he was separated for a time in order that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother — especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 Therefore, if you have fellowship with me, receive him as you would me. 18 But if somehow he wronged you or owes you, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it — in order that I may not say to you that even of yourself you owe me. 20 Yes brother, I wish benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Persuaded of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that even more than I say, you will do. 22 But at the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you all.

Final Greetings

23 Epaphrus greets you, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

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