[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.