The Koine Bible

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker

and to Apphia the sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house;

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God, making mention of you in my prayers,

Hearing of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

so that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ;

For I have had much joy and encouragement because of your love, since the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Therefore, having great boldness in Christ, I command you what is proper,

Because of love I am appealing more, being such as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

I appeal to you concerning my child, whom I have begotten in the chains, Onesimus,

the one who was once useless to you but now is useful both to you and to me,

Whom I have sent back to you—this is my very heart.

Whom I wished to keep with me, so that he might serve me on your behalf in the bonds of the gospel,

But without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be as if forced but voluntary.

For perhaps for this reason he was separated for a time, so that you might have him forever.

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

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would me.

If he has wronged you or owes you anything, charge that to me.

I, Paul, have written with my own hand, I will repay; so that I do not say to you that you also owe me yourself.

Yes, brother, I wish to benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Confident in your obedience, I have written to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.

At the same time prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my coworkers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.