Philemon 1 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the One, Jesus — along with Timothy, our brother. To Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker,

to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to those who gather in your house:

May undeserved kindness and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Master, Jesus the One.

I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,

because I keep hearing about your trust in the Master Jesus and your love for all of God's people who are set apart for him.

I'm praying that the way you share your trust with others becomes even more effective as you gain a deeper understanding of every good thing we have because of the One.

Your love has given me so much joy and encouragement, brother, because you've refreshed the hearts of God's people who are set apart for him.

So, even though I have every right in the One to tell you what you should do,

I'd rather appeal to you on the basis of love. Here I am — Paul, an old man now, and currently a prisoner for the sake of the One, Jesus —

and I'm making this appeal to you about my child, Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.

There was a time when he was useless to you, but now he's become useful to both you and me.

I'm sending him back to you — and with him goes my very heart.

I would have loved to keep him here with me so he could serve me in your place while I'm in chains for the good news.

But I didn't want to do anything without your say-so, so that your kindness wouldn't be something forced but something you freely chose.

Maybe this is why he was separated from you for a while — so that you could have him back forever,

and no longer as a slave, but as something far better than a slave — as a beloved brother. He's already that to me, and how much more will he be that to you, both as a person and as someone who belongs to the Master.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him the same way you would welcome me.

And if he's wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will pay it back. And I won't even mention that you owe me your very self.

Yes, brother — let me get some benefit from you in the Master! Refresh my heart in the One.

I'm writing to you because I'm confident you'll do what I'm asking — and I know you'll do even more than that.

Oh, and one more thing — get a guest room ready for me! I'm hoping that through your prayers, I'll be given back to you.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in the One, Jesus, sends his greetings,

and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke — my co-workers.

May the undeserved kindness of the Master, Jesus the One, be with your spirit.