| 1 | Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, |
| 2 | and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house: |
| 3 | Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 4 | I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, |
| 5 | hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; |
| 6 | that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. |
| 7 | For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother. |
| 8 | Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, |
| 9 | yet for love`s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: |
| 10 | I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus, |
| 11 | who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: |
| 12 | whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: |
| 13 | whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: |
| 14 | but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. |
| 15 | For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; |
| 16 | no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. |
| 17 | If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. |
| 18 | But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account; |
| 19 | I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. |
| 20 | Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. |
| 21 | Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. |
| 22 | But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you. |
| 23 | Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee; |
| 24 | [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. |
| 25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. |
