¹ Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philem. our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, ² And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in your house: ³ Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, ⁵ Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; ⁶ That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ⁷ For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by you, brother. ⁸ why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is convenient, ⁹ Yet for love's sake I rather beg you, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ I beg you for my son Onesimus, who I have born in my chains: ¹¹ Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me: ¹² Who I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: ¹³ Who I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered to me in the chains of the gospel: ¹⁴ But without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly+ . ¹⁵ For+ perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him forever; ¹⁶ Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? ¹⁷ If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If+ he has wronged you, or owes you should, put that on mine account; ¹⁹ I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to you how you owe to me even your own self besides. ²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. ²¹ Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also do more than+ I say. ²² But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I will be given to you. ²³ There salute you Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; ²⁴ Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. ²⁵ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.