Introduction

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother,
to Philemon, the beloved and fellow-worker,

2 and to Apphia the sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier,
and to the assembly at your house:

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

Thanksgiving and Prayer

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

5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

6 that the fellowship of your faith might become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ Jesus.

7 For I had much joy and encouragement in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

8 Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting,

9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal, being such a one as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

10 I appeal to you concerning my child, whom I have begotten in chains, Onesimus,

11 who once was useless to you but now is useful both to you and to me,

12 whom I have sent back to you, him, that is, my own heart,

13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in the chains of the gospel;

14 but apart from your consent I wanted to do nothing, so that your good might not be according to compulsion but according to willingness.

15 For perhaps because of this he was separated for a time, so that you might have him 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 flesh and in the Lord.

Paul’s Promise

17 If then you regard me as a partner, receive him as me.

18 But if he wronged you in anything or owes, charge this to me.

19 I, Paul, have written with my own hand: I will repay,
that I may not say to you that you owe even yourself to me besides.

20 Yes, brother, let me have benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

22 And at the same time also prepare a lodging for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you.

Final Greetings

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

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