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¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and co-worker,² and to Apphia our sister, and to 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 always, making mention of you in my prayers,⁵ hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;⁶ that the fellowship of your faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, to Christ.⁷ For I had much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

⁸ Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin you [to do] that which is befitting,⁹ yet for love's sake I rather urge, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:¹⁰ I urge you for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,¹¹ who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to you and to me:¹² whom I have sent back to you in his own person, that is, my very heart:¹³ whom I was hoping to keep with me, that in your behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the gospel:¹⁴ but without your mind I would do nothing; that your goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.¹⁵ For perhaps he was therefore parted [from you] for a season, that you should have him forever;¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.¹⁷ If then you count me a partner, receive him as [you would] me.¹⁸ But if he has wronged you at all, or owes [you] anything, put that to my account;¹⁹ I Paul write it with my own hand, I will repay it: that I should not have to say to you that 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 Christ.²¹ Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.²² But as well, also prepare a lodging for me: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.²³ Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you;²⁴ [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my co-workers.²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.