The Letter of Paul to Philemon

[1] Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker [2] and Ap'phia our sister and Archip'pus 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 thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

[5] because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, [6] and I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ. [7] For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. [8] Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required,

[9] yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you -- I, Paul, an ambassador and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus -- [10] I appeal to you for my child, Ones'imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment. [11] (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) [12] I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. [13] I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel; [14] but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own free will. [15] Perhaps this is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back for ever,

[16] no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. [18] If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. [19] I, Paul, write this with my own hand, I will repay it -- to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. [20] Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. [21] Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

[22] At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be granted to you. [23] Ep'aphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,

[24] and so do Mark, Aristar'chus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. [25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.