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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker,

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to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

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because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

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I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

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Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

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Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

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yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus--

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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

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Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

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I am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.

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I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

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But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favour you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

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Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good--

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no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

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

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If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

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I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that you owe me your very self.

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I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

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Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

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And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

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

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And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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