Division: Books of the Law

Verse 1: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,

Verse 2: to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

Verse 3: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 4: Thanksgiving and Prayer I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

Verse 5: because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

Verse 6: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Verse 7: Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Verse 8: Paul’s Plea for Onesimus Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

Verse 9: yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

Verse 10: I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Verse 11: Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Verse 12: I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.

Verse 13: I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

Verse 14: But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

Verse 15: Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—

Verse 16: no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Verse 17: So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Verse 18: If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Verse 19: I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Verse 20: I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Verse 21: Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Verse 22: And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Verse 23: Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

Verse 24: And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

Verse 25: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.