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 God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!

Philemon 1:4

4 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"

Philemon 1:5

5 I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.

Philemon 1:6

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.

Philemon 1:7

7 Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

Philemon 1:8

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,

Philemon 1:9

9 but I'd rather make it a personal request.

Philemon 1:10

10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus!

Philemon 1:11

11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.

Philemon 1:12

12 I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.

Philemon 1:13

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.

Philemon 1:14

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.

Philemon 1:15

15 Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good -

Philemon 1:16

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.

Philemon 1:17

17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.

Philemon 1:18

18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.

Philemon 1:19

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?)

Philemon 1:20

20 Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

Philemon 1:21

21 I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.

Philemon 1:22

22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.

Philemon 1:23

23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.

Philemon 1:24

24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.