Greeting

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved and fellow worker,

2to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house:

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

Philemon's Love and Faith

4I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

5hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6that the sharing of your faith may become effective in full knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

7For we have much thanksgiving and encouragement over your love, because the affections of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting,

9rather on account of love I appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the elder, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment,

11who formerly was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to you and to me,

12whom I am sending back. You therefore receive him, that is, my very heart;

13whom I wished to keep with myself, in order that on your behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the gospel.

14But I wished to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good might not be by necessity, but rather voluntary.

15For perhaps he was taken away for a time on account of this, in order that you might keep him eternally,

16no 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.

17If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

18But if he has wronged you or owes anything, charge this to me.

19I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention that you owe me even your own self!

20Yes, brother, may I have profit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21Having been persuaded of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

22But meanwhile, also prepare for me a guestroom, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

Final Greetings

23Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, greets you,

24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.

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