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 Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

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 Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, 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 always, making mention of thee 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 of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

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

that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

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 I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

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

Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

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, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

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 child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

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

who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is 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 back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

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 fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister 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 I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

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

For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have 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.

no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to 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 then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.

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

But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to 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 write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to 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 heart in Christ.

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

Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what 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 hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

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

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;

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

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

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.