1 Greetings from Paul, a prisoner for Jesus Christ, and from Timothy, our brother. To Philemon, our dear friend and worker with us. 2 Also to Apphia, our sister; to Archippus, a worker with us; and to the church that meets in your home. 3 Grace ˻(kindness)˼ and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I remember you in my prayers. And I always thank my God for you. 5 I thank God because I hear about the love you have for all God’s holy people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the faith you share will make you understand every good thing that we have in Christ. 7 My brother, you have shown love to God’s people. You have made them feel happy. And this has given me great joy and comfort. 8 There is something that you should do. And because of the authority I have in Christ, I feel free to command you to do it. 9 But I am not commanding you; I am asking you to do it out of love. I am Paul. I am an old man now, and I am a prisoner for Christ Jesus. 10 I am asking you for my son Onesimus. He became my son while I was in prison. 11 In the past he was useless to you. But now he has become useful for both you and me. 12 I am sending him back to you. With him I am sending my own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him with me to help me while I am in prison for telling the Good News. By helping me he would be serving you. 14 But I did not want to do anything without asking you first. Then the good thing you do for me will be because you want to do it, not because I forced you to do it. 15 Onesimus was separated from you for a short time. Maybe that happened so that you could have him back forever— 16 not to be a slave, but better than a slave, to be a brother that is loved. I love him very much. But you will love him even more. You will love him as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 If you accept me to be your friend, then accept Onesimus back. Welcome him like you would welcome me. 18 If Onesimus has done anything wrong to you, charge that to me. If he owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I am Paul, and I am writing this with my own hand. I will pay back anything Onesimus owes. And I will say nothing about what you owe me for your own life. 20 So, my brother, I ask that you do something for me in the Lord. Comfort my heart in Christ. 21 I write this letter knowing that you will do what I ask you. I know that you will do even more than I ask. 22 Also, please prepare a room for me to stay in. I hope that God will answer your prayers and I will be able to come to you. 23 Epaphras is a prisoner with me for Christ Jesus. He says hello to you. 24 And also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke say hello to you. They are workers together with me. 25 The grace ˻(kindness)˼ of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
