Phlm 1
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved
and fellow worker,
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to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church at your
house:
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,
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hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all
the saints,
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that the sharing of your faith may become effective in full knowledge of every good
thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
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For we have much thanksgiving and encouragement over your love, because the affections
of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
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Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to command you what is fitting,
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rather on account of love I appeal to you-being such a one as Paul, the elder, and
now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-
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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment,
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who formerly was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable both to you and to me,
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whom I am sending back. You therefore receive him, that is, my very heart;
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whom I wished to keep with myself, in order that on your behalf he might serve me
in the bonds of the gospel.
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But I wished to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good might not
be by necessity, but by [being] voluntary.
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For perhaps he was taken away for a time on account of this, in order that you might
keep him eternally,
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no longer as a slave but more than a slave-a beloved brother, especially to me but
how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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If then you count me as a partner, receive him as [you would ]me.
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But if he has wronged you or owes [anything], charge this to me.
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I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay-lest I say to you that even yourself
you owe to me!
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Yes, brother, may I have profit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
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Having been persuaded of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will
do even beyond what I say.
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But meanwhile, also prepare for me a guestroom, for I hope that through your prayers
I will be graciously given to you.
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Epaphras, my fellow captive in Christ Jesus, greets you,
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[ as do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.