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 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,

Philemon 1:5

5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

Philemon 1:6

6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Philemon 1:7

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

Philemon 1:8

8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

Philemon 1:9

9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:10

10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.

Philemon 1:11

11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

Philemon 1:12

12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

Philemon 1:13

13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.

Philemon 1:14

14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.

Philemon 1:15

15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.

Philemon 1:16

16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

Philemon 1:17

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Philemon 1:18

18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Philemon 1:19

19 I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL !

Philemon 1:20

20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

Philemon 1:21

21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

Philemon 1:22

22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

Philemon 1:23

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.

Philemon 1:24

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