1Philemon 1

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

2to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:Select Philemon 1:2

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Select Philemon 1:3

4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,Select Philemon 1:4

5hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;Select Philemon 1:5

6that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.Select Philemon 1:6

7For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.Select Philemon 1:7

8Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,Select Philemon 1:8

9yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.Select Philemon 1:9

10I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,Select Philemon 1:10

11who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.Select Philemon 1:11

12I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,Select Philemon 1:12

13whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.Select Philemon 1:13

14But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.Select Philemon 1:14

15For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,Select Philemon 1:15

16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.Select Philemon 1:16

17If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.Select Philemon 1:17

18But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.Select Philemon 1:18

19I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).Select Philemon 1:19

20Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.Select Philemon 1:20

21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.Select Philemon 1:21

22Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.Select Philemon 1:22

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,Select Philemon 1:23

24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.Select Philemon 1:24

25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.Select Philemon 1:25