Philemon 1:1-25 BSB

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker, [2] to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house: [3] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] I always thank my God, remembering you in my prayers, [5] because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. [6] I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ. [7] I take great joy and encouragement in your love, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. [8] So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, [9] I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well. [10] I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains. [11] Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. [12] I am sending back to you him who is my very heart. [13] I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel. [14] But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. [15] For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good — [16] no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. [17] So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. [18] But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. [19] I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it— not to mention that you owe me your very self. [20] Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. [21] Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. [22] In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. [23] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, [24] as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. [25] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.