Philemon 3-11

New International Version

³ Grace and peace to you^[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(A)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁴ I always thank my God^(B) as I remember you in my prayers,^{(C) 5} because I hear about your love for all his holy people^(D) and your faith in the Lord Jesus.^{(E) 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,^(F) because you, brother, have refreshed^(G) 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^(H) on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner^(I) of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son^(J) Onesimus,^[b](K) who became my son while I was in chains.^{(L) 11} Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.