Philemon Chapter 1 (NIV)

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undefined Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,

undefined to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

undefined Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

undefined Thanksgiving and PrayerI always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

undefined because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

undefined I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

undefined Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

undefined Paul’s Plea for OnesimusTherefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

undefined yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

undefined I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

undefined Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

undefined I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.

undefined I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

undefined But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

undefined Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—

undefined no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

undefined So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

undefined If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

undefined I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

undefined I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

undefined Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

undefined And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

undefined Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

undefined And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

undefined The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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