¹Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus, and your brother Timothy, to our beloved fellow worker PhileMon, ²our sister ApPhia, our fellow soldier ArcHippus, and to the called ones in your homes:³May you receive loving care and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus the Anointed One.⁴I always give thanks to my God when I mention you in my prayers, ⁵because I keep hearing about the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus, and of the love that you have for all the Holy Ones.⁶[And I pray that] we can have a share in the faith that’s in you by telling you more about the good things that we’re doing through the Anointed One.⁷For I’ve felt so much joy and comfort, our brother, over the loving things that you’ve been doing to refresh the hearts of the holy ones! ⁸And this is the reason why I feel free in the Anointed One to obligate you to do something that would be very becoming…⁹Or should I say that I’m encouraging you because of your love, seeing that I am who I am, Paul, an old man — and now a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus!¹⁰The encouragement I wish to offer is regarding my child (someone I’ve become a father to while I’ve been in prison): OneSimon.¹¹For although he was once useless to you, he’s now become useful to both you and me… ¹²So, I’m returning this one (for whom I care so deeply), to you.¹³Actually, I’d rather keep him here for myself instead of sending him to you, so he can continue to serve my needs while I’m in the shackles that I’m wearing for the sake of the good news!¹⁴However, I don’t wish to do anything without your consent, because I don’t want any good deed that you may wish to do only happen because you were forced into it…I’d rather it was something that you really wanted to do!¹⁵Perhaps that’s the reason why he was able to break away from you for a little while? So that you could have him back in this age ¹⁶as no longer a slave, but more than a slave... As a beloved brother!He’s especially that to me, and now much more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.¹⁷So if you consider me a worthy associate, welcome him kindly as you would welcome me. ¹⁸And if he did you any wrong, or if he owes you anything, charge it to my account!¹⁹I (Paul) am writing this in my own hand, and telling you that I’ll pay you back… Of course, let me remind you that you already owe me! ²⁰Yes, my brother; may I request some profit from you in the Lord… Please offer me this refreshment in the tender mercies of the Anointed One!²¹Now, I’m writing you in full confidence that you’ll go along with my request. And I’m sure that you’ll do even more than what I’ve suggested.²²In addition, prepare a place for me to stay, since I’m hoping that, because of all your prayers, I’ll soon be free for your sakes.²³EpaPhras (my fellow captive in the Anointed One) sends you his greetings, as do ²⁴Mark, AristArchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.²⁵May the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be upon the spirit that you show.