Greetings

1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,

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

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

Thanksgiving for Philemon's Love and Faith

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

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

6That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.

Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you that which is required,

9Yet for love's sake I rather beseech you, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

11Who in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:

12Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own heart:

13Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

14But without your consent would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him forever;

16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Receive Him as Myself

17If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put that on my account;

19I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: nevertheless I do not say to you how you owe me even your own self besides.

20Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord.

21Having confidence in your obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

22At the same time prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Final Greetings

23There greet you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;

24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

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