(Philippians 1:1–2; Colossians 1:1–2)
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ (a) Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
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to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon’s Faith and Love
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I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
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hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
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that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
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For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
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Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
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yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
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I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,(b)
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who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
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I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
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whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
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But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
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For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,
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no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
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But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
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I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
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Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
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Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
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Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
Additional Greetings
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Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
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as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Footnotes