Philemon

Greetings

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

to our dear sister Apphia, to Archippus, faithful companion in our struggle, and to all the church gathered in your house.

Grace and peace be with you from God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Lord.

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

for I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord and all the holy ones.

 And I pray that your sharing in the faith will reveal all the good we have in Christ. 

I felt great joy and comfort when I heard of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother. 

Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command what you should do,

yet I prefer to request you, in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now a prisoner for Christ.

And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.

This Onesimus has not been helpful to you before, but now he will be helpful to both you and me.

In returning him to you, I am sending you my own heart.

I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me on your behalf while I am in prison for the gospel,

but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.

Perhaps Onesimus has been separated from you for a while so that you may have him back forever,

no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, because he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even more dear to you.

And so, out of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself.

And if he has caused any harm or owes you anything, charge it to me.

I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it… without further mention of your debt to me, which is yourself.

Confident in your obedience, I write to you, knowing you will do even more than I ask.

And one more thing, prepare a lodging for me because, thanks to all your prayers, I hope to return to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus, sends greetings.

So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my assistants.

May the grace of the Lord Christ be with you. Amen!