4 Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.
5 For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.
6 My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ.
7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.
8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.
9 But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake.
10 So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father.