to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

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