Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
And Timothy the brother,
To Philemon the beloved and our fellow-worker
And to Apphia the sister,
And to Archippus, our fellow-soldier,
And to the church in your house.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
And from the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always, making mention of you
In my prayers, hearing of your love
And of the faith which you have toward the Lord,
The Lord Jesus and to all the saints,

That the fellowship of your faith may become
Operative in the full knowledge
Of every good thing which is in us for Christ,
For I had much joy and encouragement over your love,
Because the inward parts of the saints
Have been refreshed through you, brother.

Wherefore, having much boldness in Christ
To charge you what is fitting,
Because of love I rather entreat,
Being such a one as Paul, the aged,
And now also a prisoner of Christ,
A prisoner of Christ Jesus.

I entreat you concerning my child
Whom I've begotten in my bonds,
Onesimus, who formerly was useless to you,
But now is useful both to you and to me;
Onesimus, whom I have sent back to you—
Him, that is, my heart, my very heart;

Whom I resolved to keep with myself,
That on your behalf he might minister,
Might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel,
But without your mind I did not want to do anything,
That your goodness should not be of necessity,
But your goodness be voluntary.

For perhaps therefore he was separated from you
For an hour that you might fully have him forever,
No longer as a slave, but above a slave,
A beloved brother, especially to me,
And how much more to you, both in the flesh,
Both in the flesh and in the Lord.

If then you hold me as a partner,
Receive him as myself,
And if he has wronged, has wronged you in anything,
Or owes anything, charge that to my account;
If you hold me a partner, receive him as myself,
And if he has wronged you, charge that to my account.

I Paul have written with my own hand,
I will repay; I will repay;
Not to say to you that you owe me even your own self,
Your own self besides.
Yes, brother, may I have profit from you in the Lord;
Refresh my inward parts in Christ.

Having confidence in your obedience,
I wrote to you, knowing that you'll do beyond what I say,
And at the same time also prepare me a lodging;
For I hope that through your prayers I shall be,
Through your prayers I shall be graciously,
I shall be graciously given to you.

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner
In Christ Jesus, greets you;
As do Mark, and Aristarchus,
Demas, and Luke, my fellow-workers.
The grace of the Lord, of the Lord Jesus Christ
Be with your spirit, with your spirit.