1Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker, 2And to Apphia, our beloved, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house: 3Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, 5Having heard of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, 6So that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in you toward Christ Jesus. 7For we have great joy and encouragement on account of your love, because by you, brother, the saints have been refreshed unto the innermost parts of their beings.

8Therefore, I have much boldness in Christ to require of you that which is fitting, 9Yet for the sake of love I am encouraging you to do it instead, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds; 11Who was once of no service to you, but now he is profitable both to you and to me; whom I am sending back to you. 12But you (as if from the innermost part of my being) receive him, 13Whom I was desiring to retain with me, so that in your stead he might serve me while I am in prison for the gospel's sake. 14But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your good deed might not be of constraint, but of willingness. 15For perhaps on account of this he was separated from you for a time in order that you might receive him for eternity; 16No longer as a slave, but above a slave--as a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

17If therefore you count me as a partner, receive him as if he were me; 18But if in anything he has wronged you or owes you, charge it to my account. 19I, Paul, wrote this with my own hand; I will repay. I say this although (as I could say to you, but have not) you yourself are likewise indebted to me. 20Yes, brother, so that I may have this benefit from you in the Lord, refresh me in the Lord, even to the innermost part of my being.

21I wrote to you because I am fully persuaded of your willing compliance, knowing that you will do above and beyond what I have asked.

22But in addition, also prepare lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted release to you.

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you; 24As do also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

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