1 - Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,
2 - And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.
3 - Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 - I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.
5 - Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints:
6 - That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 - For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.
8 - Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:
9 - For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.
10 - I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,
11 - Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:
12 - Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.
13 - Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.
14 - But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
15 - For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:
16 - Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
17 - If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 - And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put that to my account.
19 - I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.
20 - Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 - Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 - But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 - There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:
24 - Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.
25 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
