PHILEMON

Philemon

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

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

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

4 I thank my God, every time I make mention of you in my prayers,

5 As I hear about your love and faith, in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the saints;

6 And I pray that the sharing of your faith may be energized by your awareness of every good thing that you have in Christ Jesus.

7 For your love is a great joy and encouragement to me, because you, my brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

8 ¶ Therefore, although I could be bold in Christ and order you to do what you ought to do,

9 Instead I am urging you for the sake of love, as Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

10 I appeal to you on behalf of my spiritual son Onesimus, who became my son while I have been imprisoned:

11 In the past he was useless to you, but now he is useful to you and to me:

12 I am sending him back to you: therefore receive him, who is as my own offspring:

13 Whom I would have liked to have kept with me, so that he could assist me in your place while I am imprisoned for the gospel:

14 But I was unwilling to do so without your consent; so that any favor from you will not be forced, but freely given.

15 For he may have been separated from you for a season, so that you could have him back forever;

16 No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both as a man, and as a Christian.

17 Therefore if you regard me as a brother, receive him as you would me.

18 If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, charge it to me;

19 I Paul am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it: without mentioning the fact that you owe me your own self as well as your slave.

20 Yea, brother, grant me this in the Lord: set my heart at rest in Christ.

21 I am writing to you with complete confidence that you will listen to me, sure that you will do even more than I ask.

22 At the same time prepare a place for me to stay: for I trust that I will be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greeting;

24 As do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.

  1. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Sent from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.