AFV2020 - Philemon - 1

1:1  Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow worker,

1:2  And to Apphia, our beloved, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house:

1:3  Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4  I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,

1:5  Having heard of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints,

1:6  So that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in you toward Christ Jesus.

1:7  For we have great joy and encouragement on account of your love, because by you, brother, the saints have been refreshed unto the innermost parts of their beings.

1:8  Therefore, I have much boldness in Christ to require of you that which is fitting,

1:9  Yet for the sake of love I am encouraging you to do it instead, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ.

1:10  I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds;

1:11  Who was once of no service to you, but now he is profitable both to you and to me; whom I am sending back to you.

1:12  But you (as if from the innermost part of my being) receive him,

1:13  Whom I was desiring to retain with me, so that in your stead he might serve me while I am in prison for the gospel's sake.

1:14  But without your consent I would do nothing, so that your good deed might not be of constraint, but of willingness.

1:15  For perhaps on account of this he was separated from you for a time in order that you might receive him for eternity;

1:16  No longer as a slave, but above a slave—as a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

1:17  If therefore you count me as a partner, receive him as if he were me;

1:18  But if in anything he has wronged you or owes you, charge it to my account.

1:19  I, Paul, wrote this with my own hand; I will repay. I say this although (as I could say to you, but have not) you yourself are likewise indebted to me.

1:20  Yes, brother, so that I may have this benefit from you in the Lord, refresh me in the Lord, even to the innermost part of my being.

1:21  I wrote to you because I am fully persuaded of your willing compliance, knowing that you will do above and beyond what I have asked.

1:22  But in addition, also prepare lodging for me; for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted release to you.

1:23  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you;

1:24  As do also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

1:25  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.