14 Let our also learn to be diligent in good works, when necessity requires it, so that they may not be fruitless.

15 All who are with me salute you. Salute all who love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

To Philemon

1

1 Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

2 And to Apphia's sister, and to Archippus our companion, and to the church that gathereth together in thy house,

3 – Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, always remembering thee in my prayers,

5 hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast for the Lord Jesus, and for all the saints,

6 that the fellowship of thy faith may be effectual in the knowledge of all good things among us for Christ.

7 For I have received great joy and comfort from your love, because thanks to you, brother, the hearts of the saints are at rest.

8 Wherefore, having great boldness in Christ to prescribe unto thee thy duty,

9 Out of love I rather beseech — none other than I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner of Christ Jesus, —

10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I bore in bonds, for Onesimus,

11 Who was once unfit for thee, but now fit for me and for thee,

12 whom I send back to you, himself, and he is my heart.

13 Him I would keep with me, that he might serve me in the bonds of the gospel in your stead,

14 But without thy consent I would do nothing, that thy good should not be as out of need, but of its own free will.

15 For perhaps he was set apart for a time, that thou mayest receive him for ever,

16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother, especially to me, how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 Therefore, if you have fellowship with me, receive him as me.