Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, two philemon, our dear friend and fellow

worker, to Afia, our sister, to Archipus, our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

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

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers

because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that

you may be active in sharing your faith so that you'll have a full understanding of every good

thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and

encouragement because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Therefore, although in

Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet, I appeal to you on the basis of love.

I then, as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, I appeal to you for my son,

Onesimus, who has become my son while I was in chains.

Formerly, he was useless to you, but now he's become useful both to you and to me.

I'm sending him, who is my very heart, back to you.

I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place and helping me while I'm in chains for the gospel, but I didn't want to do anything without your consent so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good, no longer as a slave,

but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me, but even dearer to you,

both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

If he's done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own

hand. I will pay it back, not to mention that you owe me your very self.

I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you and the Lord.

Refresh my heart in Christ.

Confident of your obedience, I write to you knowing that you'll do even more than I ask.

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