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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work -
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1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,
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2 also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house.
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2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
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3 God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!
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3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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4 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"
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4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
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5 I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.
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5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
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6 And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.
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6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
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7 Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.
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7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
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8 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary,
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8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
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9 but I'd rather make it a personal request.
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9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--
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10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus!
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10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
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11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.
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11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
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12 I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.
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12 I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.
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13 I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.
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13 I 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.
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14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.
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14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
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15 Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good -
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15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--
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16 and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me - he'll be even more than that to you.
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16 no 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 man and as a brother in the Lord.
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17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.
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17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
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18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.
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18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
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19 This is my personal signature - Paul - and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)
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19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.
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20 Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.
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20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
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21 I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.
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21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
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22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.
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22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
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23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.
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23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
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24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
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24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
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25 All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!
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25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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| Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved. (The Message Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
