Philemon 1

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and coworker,

2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house:

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

4I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,

5because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.

6I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you come to know fully every good thing that is in us for Christ.

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

8So, although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is right,

9yet for love’s sake I would rather appeal to you. I, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

10appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

11Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

12I am sending him back to you, and in him I am sending my very heart.

13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that he could serve me in your place while I am in chains for the gospel.

14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed would not be forced but done willingly.

15For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a short time, so that you might have him back forever,

16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and in the Lord.

17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I will not mention that you owe me your very self.

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

21Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22At the same time, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,

24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

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