Philemon 1

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to our dear friend and fellow worker Philemon,

and to Apphia our sister, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

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

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,

because I keep hearing about your love for all God's people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

And I pray that your partnership in the faith may be effective, as you come to understand every good thing we have in Christ.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, brother, because you've refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people.

So although in Christ I could be bold and just order you to do the right thing,

I'd rather ask you as a favour, on the basis of love. That's the sort of man I am — Paul, an old man now, and these days a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.

I'm asking you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Once he was useless to you — but now he's living up to his name, and he's useful, to you and to me.

I'm sending him back to you, and it's like sending you my own heart.

I'd have liked to keep him here with me, so he could help me in your place while I'm in chains for the gospel.

But I didn't want to do anything without your say-so, so that any good you do wouldn't be forced but would come freely.

Maybe the reason he was parted from you for a while was so you could have him back for good —

no longer as a slave, but better than a slave: as a dear brother. He's very dear to me, but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you count me a partner, welcome him the way you'd welcome me.

And if he's done you any wrong, or owes you anything, put it on my account.

I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I'll pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Yes, brother, let me get some good out of you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

I'm writing to you sure that you'll do as I ask — knowing, in fact, that you'll do even more than I say.

And one more thing: get the guest room ready for me, because I'm hoping that through your prayers I'll be given back to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,

and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.