Philemon

[1] PAUL, prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philēmōn the beloved and our fellow-worker, [2] and to Apphia the 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 alway making mention of thee in my :prayers, [5] hearing of thy :love and 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 knowledge of every good that is in us, unto Christ Jesus. [7] For I had much joy and comfort in thy :love, because the hearts⁠1 of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

[8] Wherefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to enjoin thee what is befitting, [9] yet for :love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:— [10] I beseech thee for my :child, whom I have begotten in my :bonds, Onēsimus,⁠2 [11] once :unprofitable to thee, but now profitable to thee and to me: [12] whom I have sent back to thee himself, that is, my very :heart, [13] whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel: [14] but without thy :mind I wished to do nothing; that thy :goodness be not as of necessity, but of free will. [15] For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for an hour, that thou shouldest have him for ever⁠3 [16] no longer as bondman, but more than bondman, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. [17] If then thou hast me for partner, receive him as myself. [18] But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee, charge that to me; [19] I Paul write with mine own :hand, I will repay it: that I tell thee not that thou owest me even thine own self besides. [20] Yea, brother, let me have help of thee in the Lord: refresh my :heart in Christ.

[21] Trusting thine :obedience I write 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 you.

[23] Epaphras, my :fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, [24] Mark, Aristarchus, Dēmas, Luke, my :fellow-workers, salute thee.

[25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your :spirit.