1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,5 Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;6 That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.8 Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient,9 Yet for love' sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.10 I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:11 Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:12 Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel:14 But without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for ever;16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?17 If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.18 If he has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on my account;19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides.20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels 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 prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.23 There salute you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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

4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers, 5 hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; 6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. 7 For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: 10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus, 11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: 12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13 whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; 16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. 18 But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account; 19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee; 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

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