1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

2 and to Apphia, our sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the congregation in your 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 you in my prayers.

5 I hear about your love, and about the faith you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the holy ones.

6 May the fellowship of your faith operate in the knowledge of every good thing that is in you for Jesus Christ.

7 For I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed through you, brother.

8 I have all boldness in Christ to tell you what is appropriate.

9 Because of love I appeal to you, since I am Paul, the aged. I am also a prisoner of Christ Jesus.

10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment.

11 He was once worthless to you, but now is useful to you and me.

12 I send him back to you, like sending my heart.

13 I would have kept him with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the good news.

14 Without your agreement I would do nothing. Your goodness should not be out of necessity, but of free will.

15 Perhaps he was separated from you for a season, that you should have him forever.

16 He is no longer a servant. He is more than a servant. He is a beloved brother, especially to me, but also to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

18 But if he has wronged you and owes you anything at all, charge this to me.

19 I Paul write with my own hand. I will repay. I do not say that you owe your own self life to me.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy in you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 I have confidence in your obedience. I write you, knowing that you will do beyond what I say.

22 Prepare a lodging for me. I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit mental dispositionattitude. Amen.