I, Paul, have written this letter with my own hand: I will repay it. I could also mention that you owe me your very self.

I wanted to keep him so that he could serve me in your place during my imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

I am appealing to you concerning my child, whose spiritual father I have become during my imprisonment, that is, Onesimus,

Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

At the same time also, prepare a place for me to stay, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given back to you.

I have sent him (who is my very heart) back to you.

Therefore if you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.

Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my colaborers, greet you too.

Since I was confident that you would obey, I wrote to you, because I knew that you would do even more than what I am asking you to do.

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

who was formerly useless to you, but is now useful to you and me.

Now if he has defrauded you of anything or owes you anything, charge what he owes to me.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.

I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love – I, Paul, an old man and even now a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus –

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

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