Philemon - Chapter 1 | Good News Translation

  • 1. From Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy--- To our friend and fellow worker Philemon,
  • 2. and the church that meets in your house, and our sister Apphia, and our fellow soldier Archippus:
  • 3. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
  • 4. Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.
  • 5. For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.
  • 6. My 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.
  • 7. Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.
  • 8. For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.
  • 9. But 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.
  • 10. So 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.
  • 11. At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.
  • 12. I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.
  • 13. I 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.
  • 14. However, 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.
  • 15. It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.
  • 16. And 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!
  • 17. So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me.
  • 18. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
  • 19. Here, I will write this with my own hand: {I I, Paul, will pay you back}. (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.)
  • 20. So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!
  • 21. I am sure, as I write this, that you will do what I ask---in fact I know that you will do even more.
  • 22. At 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.
  • 23. Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings,
  • 24. and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
  • 25. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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