Philemon 12–25

¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains^t for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced^u but would be voluntary. ¹⁵Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—¹⁶no longer as a slave,^v but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^w He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷So if you consider me a partner,^x welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.^{y 19}I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.^z I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh^a my heart in Christ. ²¹Confident^b of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

²²And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be^c restored to you in answer to your prayers.^d

²³Epaphras,^e my fellow prisoner^f in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴And so do Mark,^g Aristarchus,^h Demasⁱ and Luke, my fellow workers.^j

²⁵The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^k