11 Paul , a prisoner of Christ Jesus , and Timothy [1]our brother , To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker , 2 and to Apphia [2] our sister , and to Archippus our fellow soldier , 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 always , making mention of you in my prayers , 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the [3]saints ; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective [4]through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you [5]for Christ's sake . 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love , because the [6]hearts of the [7]saints have been refreshed through you, brother .
8 Therefore , though I have [8]enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper , 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you-since I am such a person as Paul , [9] the aged , and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus - 10 I appeal to you for my child [10] Onesimus , whom I have begotten in my [11]imprisonment , 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person , that is, sending my very heart , 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my [12] imprisonment for the gospel ; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything , so that your goodness would not be, in effect , by compulsion but of your own free will . 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while , that you would have him back forever , 16 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 . 17 If then you regard me a partner , accept him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything , charge that to my account ; 19 I, Paul , am writing this with my own hand , I will repay it ( not to [13]mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well ). 20 Yes , brother , let me benefit from you in the Lord ; refresh my heart in Christ . 21 Having confidence in your obedience , I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say . 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging , for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
23 Epaphras , my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus , greets you, 24 as do Mark , Aristarchus , Demas , Luke , my fellow workers . 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit .[14]
