₁From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy —

To our friend and fellow-worker Philemon, ₂and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow-soldier Archippus:

₃May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

₄Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. ₅For I hear of your love for all God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. ₆My 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. ₇Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all God's people.

₈For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. ₉But 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. ₁₀So 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. ₁₁At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

₁₂I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. ₁₃I 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. ₁₄However, 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.

₁₅It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time. ₁₆And 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!

₁₇So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. ₁₈If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account. ₁₉Here, I will write this with my own hand: I, Paul, will pay you back. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.) ₂₀So, my brother, please do me this favour for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!

₂₁I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask — in fact I know that you will do even more.