Address and Greeting. 1* Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and our co-worker,a 2to Apphia our sister,* to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your house.b 3Grace to you and peace* from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.c

Thanksgiving. 4* d I give thanks to my God always, remembering you in my prayers, 5as I hear of the love and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus and for all the holy ones,* 6so that your partnership in the faith may become effective in recognizing every good there is in us* that leads to Christ.e

Plea for Onesimus. 7For I have experienced much joy and encouragement* from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.f 8Therefore, although I have the full right* in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man,* and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.g 10I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment,h 11who was once useless to you but is now useful* to [both] you and me. 12I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve* me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,i 14but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.j 15Perhaps this is why he was away from* you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man* and in the Lord.k 17So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. 18* And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay. May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.l 20Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21With trust in your compliance I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22At the same time prepare a guest room for me, for I hope to be granted to you through your prayers.m

Final Greetings. 23Epaphras,* my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,n 24as well as Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.o