PHILEMON

°1 From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy to Philemon, our friend and fellow worker, °2 to our dear sister Apphia, to Archippus faithful companion in our soldiering, and to all the Church gathered in your house.

°3 Grace and peace be with you from God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord.

°4 I never cease to give thanks to my God when I remember you in my prayers, °5 for I hear of your love and faith towards the Lord and all the holy ones. °6 And I pray that the sharing of your faith may make known all the good that is ours in Christ. °7 I had great satisfaction and comfort on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother.

°8 Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command what you should do, °9 yet I prefer to request you in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now prisoner for Christ. °10 And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.

°11 This Onesimus has not been helpful to you, but now he will be helpful both to you and to me. °12 In returning him to you, I am sending you my own heart. °13 I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me on your behalf while I am in prison for the Gospel, °14 but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.

°15 Perhaps Onesimus has been parted from you for a while so that you may have him back forever, °16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave. For he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even dearer to you. °17 And so, because of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself. °18 And if he has caused any harm, or owes you anything, charge it to me. °19 I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it… without further mention of your debt to me, which is you yourself. °20 So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this comfort in Christ.

°21 Confident of your obedience I write to you, knowing you will do even more than I ask. °22 And one more thing, get a lodging ready for me because, thanks to all your prayers, I hope to return to you.

°23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings. °24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my assistants.

°25 May the grace of the Lord Christ be with you. Amen!

The End.