He rejoices to hear of the faith and love of Philemon, whom he asks to forgive his servant Onesimus, and lovingly to receive him back.

¹ Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy.

To Philemon the beloved and our helper, ² and to the beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the congregation of your house.

³ Grace be with you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I thank my God, making mention always of you in my prayers, ⁵ when I hear of the love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, ⁶ so that the fellowship that you have in the faith is fruitful through the knowledge of all good things, which are in you by Jesus Christ. ⁷ And we have great joy and consolation over your love. For by you, brother, the saints’ hearts are comforted.

⁸ Therefore, though I might be bold in Christ to enjoin that which behoves you, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beseech you, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Jesus Christ’s sake. ¹⁰ I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds – ¹¹ who in time past was unprofitable to you, but is now able to profit both you and also me, ¹² whom I have sent home again. Therefore receive him; that is to say, my own offspring, ¹³ whom I would gladly have retained with me so that on your behalf he could have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, without your consent I would do nothing, because the good that comes of you should not be, as it were, usurped through circumstance, but willing.

¹⁵ Perhaps he therefore departed for a season so that you would receive him forever, ¹⁶ not now as a servant, but above a servant; I mean a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and also in the Lord. ¹⁷ If you count me a fellow, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, lay it to my charge. ¹⁹ I, Paul, have written it with my own hand. I will recompense it.

So I do not say to you that you owe to me even your own self. ²⁰ Even so, brother, let me enjoy this fruit from you in the Lord. Comfort my heart in the Lord.

²¹ Trusting in your willingness, I have written to you, knowing that you will do more than I say. ²² Moreover, prepare a room for me. For I trust that through the help of your prayers, I shall be given to you.

²³ Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, ²⁴ as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my helpers.

²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen.

Sent from Rome by the hands
of Onesimus,
a servant.