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1:1  This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
1:2  and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
1:3  May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
1:4  I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
1:5  because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people.
1:6  And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
1:7  Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God's people.
1:8  That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.
1:9  But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me--Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.
1:10  I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
1:11  Onesimus hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
1:12  I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
1:13  I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
1:14  But I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.
1:15  It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.
1:16  He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
1:17  So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
1:18  If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
1:19  I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won't mention that you owe me your very soul!
1:20  Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
1:21  I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!
1:22  One more thing--please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
1:23  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.
1:24  So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
1:25  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.