¹²I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart. ¹³I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel’s sake, so that he could help me in your place. ¹⁴However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.

¹⁵It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time. ¹⁶And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!

¹⁷So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account. ¹⁹Here, I will write this with my own hand: I, Paul, will pay you back. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.) ²⁰So, my brother, please do me this favour for the Lord’s sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!

²¹I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask—in fact I know that you will do even more. ²²At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you.

Final Greetings

²³^*Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, ²⁴^*and so do my fellow-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.

²⁵May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Read in Logos

Cross references

*1.23: Col 1:7; 4:12
*1.24 a: Ac 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:37–39; Col 4:10 1.24 b: Ac 19:29; 27:2; Col 4:10 1.24 c: Col 4:14; 2 Ti 4:10 1.24 d: Col 4:14; 2 Ti 4:11