Philemon 1
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1This 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,1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker--
2and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.2also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier--and to the church that meets in your home:
3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,4I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
5because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.5because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
6And 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.6I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
7Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus7Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people.
8That 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.8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
9But 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.9yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--
10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.10that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
11Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.12I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
13I 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.13I 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.
14But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
15It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever--
16He 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.16no 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 fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.17So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.18If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
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 !19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.
20Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.20I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22One 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. Paul’s Final Greetings22And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
24So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.24And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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