4 I thank my God constantly as I bring ˢyou+ before him in my prayers, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and the love you have for all the Lord’s holy people, 6 praying that your friendship and support and shared interest with respect to the faith would express themselves in action through knowing every blessing that is in us for the honor of the Messiah. 7 Indeed, I have had such great joy and been so encouraged because of your love, for it is the hearts of the Lord’s holy people that have been given rest through you, brother. 8 That is why, even though I could address you, as an apostle of the Messiah, very forthrightly, ordering you to do what is appropriate, 9 it is on the basis of love, rather, that I am appealing to you. Such being what I am, as Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner, too, because of my service to Messiah Jesus, 10 I appeal to you on behalf of my own dear son, Onesimus, “the useful.” I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 At one time he was to you of no use at all. Now, however, he is to both you and me of very valuable use. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes a part of my very self. 13 My desire was to keep him here with me, so that he could continue to render me the service, during this time of imprisonment for the gospel, that you yourself surely would if you were here. 14 I didn’t want to do anything, though, without your consent, because my hope is that you will do me this kindness not because you feel forced, but because it is on your own heart. 15 Indeed, perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a short time: So that you could have him back forever into the very ages of the ages, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. He is very dear to me, and will be even more so to you, both on the human level as a slave and as one in union with the Lord.

17 If me, therefore, you consider to be a friend and partner in the work, please welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, this charge to my account. 19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I MYSELF WILL REPAY IT. (Don’t forget, though, what it is that you owe me: Your very life.) 20 Yes, brother, I ask you to please do me this favor in the Lord; give my heart rest in the Messiah. 21 It is with full confidence of your obedience that I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than what I’m asking. 22 And one more thing: Please prepare a guest room for me, because I am hoping that, in answer to ᵖyour prayers, God will graciously allow me to return and visit all of ᵖyou. 23 Epaphras, who is in prison with me because of Messiah Jesus, sends ˢyou greetings, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Messiah be with ᵖyour spirit.