1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God, mentioning you in my prayers, 5 hearing of the love and faith you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 so that your participation in the faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ. 7 For I have received much joy and comfort from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is fitting, 9 I appeal instead for love's sake, being as I am, Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I fathered in my chains, 11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you, him who is my own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the gospel, 14 but without your consent I wanted to do nothing, so that your good deed might be voluntary and not under compulsion. 15 For perhaps he was separated from you for a time for this reason, so that you might have him back 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 the flesh and in the Lord.

17 Therefore, if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me. 18 And if he has wronged you in anything or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I have written to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare lodging for me as well, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

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