1. From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy —To our friend and fellow-worker Philemon,
2. and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow-soldier Archippus:
3. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
4. Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.
5. For I hear of your love for all God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.
6. My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ.
7. Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God's people.
8. For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.
9. But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.
10. So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father.
11. At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
12. I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.
13. I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place.
14. However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.
15. It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.
16. And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!
17. So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me.