Philemon 4-19

New International Version

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁴ I always thank my God^(A) as I remember you in my prayers,^{(B) 5} because I hear about your love for all his holy people^(C) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.^{(D) 6} I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,^(E) because you, brother, have refreshed^(F) the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

⁸ Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you^(G) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(H) of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(I) Onesimus,^[a](J) who became my son while I was in chains.^{(K) 11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

¹² I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 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^(L) for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced^(M) but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(N) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(O) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner,^(P) welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.^{(Q) 19} I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.^(R) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.