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Philemon 1

¹From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy--- To our friend and fellow worker Philemon,

²and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow soldier Archippus:

³May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

⁴Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.

⁵For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.

⁶My 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.

⁷Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.

⁸For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.

⁹But 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.

¹⁰So 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.

¹¹At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

¹²I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.

¹³I would like to keep him here with me, while I am in prison for the gospel's sake, so that he could help me in your place.

¹⁴However, I do not want to force you to help me; rather, I would like for you to do it of your own free will. So I will not do anything unless you agree.

¹⁵It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.

¹⁶And now he is not just a slave, but much more than a slave: he is a dear brother in Christ. How much he means to me! And how much more he will mean to you, both as a slave and as a brother in the Lord!

¹⁷So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me.

¹⁸If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

¹⁹Here, I will write this with my own hand: I, Paul, will pay you back. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.)

²⁰So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!

²¹I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask---in fact I know that you will do even more.

²²At the same time, get a room ready for me, because I hope that God will answer the prayers of all of you and give me back to you.

²³Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings,

²⁴and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.

²⁵May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.