[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon,
our dear helper in the faith, [2] And to Apphia, our sister, and to
Archippus, our brother in God's army, and to the church in your house: [3]
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] I
give praise to God at all times and make prayer for you, [5] Hearing of the
love and the faith which you have to the Lord Jesus and to all the saints;
[6] That the faith which you have in common with them may be working with
power, in the knowledge of every good thing in you, for Christ. [7] For I
had great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints
have been made strong again through you, brother. [8] And so, though I
might, in the name of Christ, give you orders to do what is right, [9]
Still, because of love, in place of an order, I make a request to you, I,
Paul, an old man and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus: [10] My request is for
my child Onesimus, the child of my chains, [11] Who in the past was of no
profit to you, but now is of profit to you and to me: [12] Whom I have sent
back to you, him who is my very heart: [13] Though my desire was to keep
him with me, to be my servant in the chains of the good news, in your
place: [14] But without your approval I would do nothing; so that your good
works might not be forced, but done freely from your heart. [15] For it is
possible that for this reason he was parted from you for a time, so that
you might have him for ever; [16] No longer as a servant, but more than a
servant, a brother, very dear to me specially, but much more to you, in the
flesh as well as in the Lord. [17] If then you take me to be your friend
and brother, take him in as myself. [18] If he has done you any wrong or is
in debt to you for anything, put it to my account. [19] I, Paul, writing
this myself, say, I will make payment to you: and I do not say to you that
you are in debt to me even for your life. [20] So brother, let me have joy
of you in the Lord: give new life to my heart in Christ. [21] Being certain
that you will do my desire, I am writing to you, in the knowledge that you
will do even more than I say. [22] And make a room ready for me; for I am
hoping that through your prayers I will be given to you. [23] Epaphras, my
brother-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his love; [24] And so do Mark,
Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my brother-workers. [25] The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So be it.
