Greetings
1   Paul,  a  prisoner  of  Jesus  Christ,  and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,
2   And to our beloved Apphia, and 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.

Thanksgiving for Philemon’s Love and Faith
4   I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5   Hearing of your love and faith, which you have  toward  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  toward  all holy ones;
6   That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7   For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the holy ones are refreshed by you, brother.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8    Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you that which is required,
9    Yet for love's sake I rather beseech you, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10   I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11   Who in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:
12   Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own heart:
13   Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14   But  without  your  consent  would  I  do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15   For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him forever;
16   Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a  brother  beloved,  especially  to  me,  but  how much more unto you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

Receive Him as Myself
17   If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18   If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, put that on my account;
19   I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: nevertheless I do not say to you how you owe me even your own self besides.
20   Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord.
21   Having  confidence in  your  obedience I wrote unto you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.
22   At  the  same  time  prepare  me  also  a lodging:  for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

Final Greetings
23   There greet you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24   Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
25   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.