A letter to Philemon
1 From Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother. To Philemon our beloved and fellow laborer.
2 And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus our fellow soldier and to the assembly⁺ in your house.
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.
6 May the communication of your faith become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts⁺ of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
8 Therefore, even though I could be very⁺ bold in Christ to command⁺ you to do what is proper⁺,
9 now, because⁺ of love, I appeal⁺ to you as Paul the aged and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I appeal⁺ to you for my son Onesimus whom I fathered⁺ while in my chains⁺.
11 In times past, he was not beneficial⁺ to you. But now he is beneficial⁺ to you and to me.
12 Therefore I am sending him back to you. Receive him as my own heart⁺.
13 I would have retained him with me so that in your place⁺ he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the Gospel.
14 But without your agreement⁺ I would not do anything, so that your good⁺ works would not be from obligation⁺, but willingly.
15 For perhaps this was the reason⁺ he departed for a season, so that you might receive him forever.
16 Now, not as a servant, but above a servant as a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
17 Therefore if you count me a partner, then receive him as you would receive me.
18 If he has wronged you or owes you anything⁺, put that on my account.
19 I Paul have written this with my own hand: I will repay. In that, I do not say to you how much you owe to me, even your own self besides.
20 Yes brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord. Refresh my heart⁺ in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I wrote to you knowing that you will also do more than I say.
22 But with the same prepare a lodging for me also. For I trust that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23 Greet⁺ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.
24 Also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lucas, my fellow laborers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.