Philemon 1:3; Philemon 1:4; Philemon 1:5; Philemon 1:6; Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:8; Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:10; Philemon 1:11; Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:13; Philemon 1:14; Philemon 1:15; Philemon 1:16; Philemon 1:17; Philemon 1:18; Philemon 1:19; Philemon 1:20; Philemon 1:21; Philemon 1:22; Philemon 1:23; Philemon 1:24

Philemon 1:3

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Philemon 1:4

4 Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.

Philemon 1:5

5 For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus.

Philemon 1:6

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.

Philemon 1:7

7 Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.

Philemon 1:8

8 For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done.

Philemon 1:9

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.

Philemon 1:10

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.

Philemon 1:11

11 At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

Philemon 1:12

12 I am sending him back to you now, and with him goes my heart.

Philemon 1:13

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.

Philemon 1:14

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.

Philemon 1:15

15 It may be that Onesimus was away from you for a short time so that you might have him back for all time.

Philemon 1:16

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!

Philemon 1:17

17 So, if you think of me as your partner, welcome him back just as you would welcome me.

Philemon 1:18

18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to my account.

Philemon 1:19

19 Here, I will write this with my own hand: [I, Paul, will pay you back.] (I should not have to remind you, of course, that you owe your very self to me.)

Philemon 1:20

20 So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake; as a brother in Christ, cheer me up!

Philemon 1:21

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.

Philemon 1:22

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.

Philemon 1:23

23 Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings,

Philemon 1:24

24 and so do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.