Philemon 1:1-25 NKJV

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, [2] to the beloved Apphia, 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. [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 the saints, [6] that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment 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 saints have been refreshed by you, brother. [8] Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, [9] yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you-being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ- [10] I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, [11] who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. [12] I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, [13] whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. [14] But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. [15] For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, [16] no longer as a slave but more than a slave-a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. [17] If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. [18] But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. [19] I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay-not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. [20] Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. [21] Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. [22] But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. [23] Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, [24] as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. [25] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.