Home Prior Books Index
←Prev   Philemon 1 as rendered by/in  Next→ 

Did you notice?
 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

1:1  From Paul, who is in jail for serving Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is like a brother because of our faith. Philemon, you work with us and are very dear to us. This letter is to you
1:2  and to the church that meets in your home. It is also to our dear friend Apphia and to Archippus, who serves the Lord as we do.
1:3  I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
1:4  Philemon, each time I mention you in my prayers, I thank God.
1:5  I hear about your faith in our Lord Jesus and about your love for all God's people.
1:6  As you share your faith with others, I pray they may come to know all the blessings Christ has given us.
1:7  My friend, your love has made me happy and has greatly encouraged me. It has also cheered the hearts of God's people.
1:8  Christ gives me the courage to tell you what to do.
1:9  But I would rather ask you to do it simply because of love. Yes, as someone in jail for Christ,
1:10  I beg you to help Onesimus! He is like a son to me because I led him to Christ here in jail.
1:11  Before this, he was useless to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
1:12  Sending Onesimus back to you makes me very sad.
1:13  I would like to keep him here with me, where he could take your place in helping me while I am here in prison for preaching the good news.
1:14  But I won't do anything unless you agree to it first. I want your act of kindness to come from your heart, and not be something you feel forced to do.
1:15  Perhaps Onesimus was taken from you for a little while so you could have him back for good,
1:16  but not as a slave. Onesimus is much more than a slave. To me he is a dear friend, but to you he is even more, both as a person and as a follower of the Lord.
1:17  If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me.
1:18  If he has cheated you or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
1:19  With my own hand I write: I, PAUL, WILL PAY YOU BACK. But don't forget you owe me your life.
1:20  My dear friend and follower of Christ our Lord, please cheer me up by doing this for me.
1:21  I am sure you will do all I have asked, and even more.
1:22  Please get a room ready for me. I hope your prayers will be answered, and I can visit you.
1:23  Epaphras is also here in jail for being a follower of Christ Jesus. He sends his greetings,
1:24  and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, who work together with me.
1:25  I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!