1 T his letter is from Paul. I am in prison because of Jesus Christ. Brother Timothy is also writing to you, Philemon. You are a much-loved workman together with us.

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

2 W e are also writing to the church that meets in your home. This letter is also for our Christian sister Apphia and it is for Archippus who is a soldier together with us.

and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

3 M ay God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you His loving-favor and peace.

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank God when I speak of you in my prayers.

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

5 I t is because I hear of your love and trust in the Lord Jesus and in all the Christians.

hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

6 I pray that our faith together will help you know all the good things you have through Christ Jesus.

that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7 Y our love has given me much joy and comfort. The hearts of the Christians have been made happy by you, Christian brother.

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

8 S o now, through Christ, I am free to tell you what you must do.

Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

9 B ut because I love you, I will only ask you. I am Paul, an old man, here in prison because of Jesus Christ.

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.

10 I am asking you for my son, Onesimus. He has become my son in the Christian life while I have been here in prison.

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

11 A t one time he was of no use to you. But now he is of use to you and to me.

which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

12 I am sending him back to you. It is like sending you my own heart.

whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

13 I would like to keep him with me. He could have helped me in your place while I am in prison for preaching the Good News.

whom I would have retained 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 keep him without word from you. I did not want you to be kind to me because you had to but because you wanted to.

but without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 H e ran away from you for awhile. But now he is yours forever.

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

16 D o not think of him any longer as a servant you own. He is more than that to you. He is a much-loved Christian brother to you and to me.

not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

17 I f you think of me as a true friend, take him back as you would take me.

If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 I f he has done anything wrong or owes you anything, send me the bill.

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

19 I will pay it. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will not talk about how much you owe me because you owe me your life.

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.

20 Y es, Christian brother, I want you to be of use to me as a Christian. Give my heart new joy in Christ.

Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 I write this letter knowing you will do what I ask and even more.

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

22 P lease have a room ready for me. I trust God will answer your prayers and let me come to you soon.

But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 E paphras says hello. He is a brother in Christ in prison with me.

There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 M ark and Aristarchus and Demas and Luke who are workers with me say hello.

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

25 M ay the loving-favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.