1 ¶ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy, our brother, unto Philemon, our dearly beloved and fellowlabourer,

2 A nd to our beloved sister, Apphia, and Archippus, our fellowsoldier and to the congregation in thy house:

3 G race to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

5 h earing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and toward all saints;

6 t hat the communication of thy faith may become effectual for the knowledge of all the good that is in you by Christ Jesus.

7 F or we have great joy and consolation in thy charity because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

8 ¶ Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command thee that which is expedient,

9 y et for the sake of charity I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

11 w ho in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now is profitable to thee and to me,

12 w hom I send again unto thee; therefore, receive him, as you would receive me.

13 I desired to retain him with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel,

14 b ut I did not want to do anything without thy counsel, that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 P erhaps for this, he departed from you for a season, that thou should have him again forever,

16 n ot now as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord.

17 I f thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 I f he has wronged thee or owes thee anything, put that on my account;

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it; albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

20 T herefore, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord, that thou might refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 H aving confidence in thy obedience, I have written unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 I n the same manner prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 E paphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes thee.

24 M arcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

25 T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.