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¹ From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, our brother.

To Philemon, our dear friend and worker with us; ² to Apphia, our sister; to Archippus, a worker with us; and to the church that meets in your home:

³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

⁴ I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about the love you have for all God's holy people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that the faith you share may make you understand every blessing we have in Christ. ⁷ I have great joy and comfort, my brother, because the love you have shown to God's people has refreshed them.

Accept Onesimus as a Brother

⁸ So, in Christ, I could be bold and order you to do what is right. ⁹ But because I love you, I am pleading with you instead. I, Paul, an old man now and also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, ¹⁰ am pleading with you for my child Onesimus, who became my child while I was in prison. ¹¹ In the past he was useless to you, but now he has become useful for both you and me.

¹² I am sending him back to you, and with him I am sending my own heart. ¹³ I wanted to keep him with me so that in your place he might help me while I am in prison for the Good News. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without asking you first so that any good you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you. ¹⁵ Maybe Onesimus was separated from you for a short time so you could have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a loved brother. I love him very much, but you will love him even more, both as a person and as a believer in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me your partner, welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has done anything wrong to you or if he owes you anything, charge that to me. ¹⁹ I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back, and I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life. ²⁰ So, my brother, I ask that you do this for me in the Lord: Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ I write this letter, knowing that you will do what I ask you and even more.

²² One more thing—prepare a room for me in which to stay, because I hope God will answer your prayers and I will be able to come to you.

Final Greetings

²³ Epaphras, a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you. ²⁴ And also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, workers together with me, send greetings.

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