(Philemon 1:1) Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow laborer,
(Philemon 1:2) to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
(Philemon 1:3) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philemon 1:4) I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
(Philemon 1:5) hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
(Philemon 1:6) that the fellowship of your faith may become active in the full true knowledge of every good thing in you in Christ Jesus.
(Philemon 1:7) For we have great joy and encouragement in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
(Philemon 1:8) Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to order you to do what is fitting,
(Philemon 1:9) yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you; being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ;
(Philemon 1:10) I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my bonds,
(Philemon 1:11) who once was worthless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
(Philemon 1:12) I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
(Philemon 1:13) whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my bonds of the gospel.
(Philemon 1:14) But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but willingly.
(Philemon 1:15) For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,
(Philemon 1:16) no longer as a slave but more than a slave; a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
(Philemon 1:17) If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
(Philemon 1:18) And if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
(Philemon 1:19) I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay; not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
(Philemon 1:20) Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
(Philemon 1:21) Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
(Philemon 1:22) But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
(Philemon 1:23) Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
(Philemon 1:24) as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
(Philemon 1:25) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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