\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Philemon}
{\MT Philemon

\par }\OneChap {\PP \VerseOne{1}This letter is sent from Paul, prisoner of Jesus Christ, and from our brother Timothy, to Philemon, our good friend and co-worker;
\VS{2}to our sister Apphia, to Archippus who fights alongside us, and to your house church.
\VS{3}May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
\par }{\PP \VS{4}I always thank my God for you, remembering you in my prayers,
\VS{5}because I hear of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love for all believers.
\VS{6}I pray that you will put the generous nature of your trust in God into action as you recognize all the good things we share in Christ.
\VS{7}Your love, my dear brother, has brought me much happiness and encouragement. You have revived the hearts of those of us who believe!
\par }{\PP \VS{8}That’s why even though I’m brave enough in Christ to order you to do your duty,
\VS{9}I would rather ask you this favor out of love. Old Paul, now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,
\VS{10}is appealing to you on behalf of Onesimus who became my adopted son during my imprisonment.
\VS{11}In the past he was of no use to you, but now he’s useful to both you and me!
\VS{12}I send him to you with my fondest wishes.\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:12 }
Literally, “heartfelt affections.”}
\VS{13}I’d have preferred to keep him here with me so that he could have helped me as you would have done while I am in chains for telling the good news.
\VS{14}But I decided not do anything without your permission. I didn’t want you to be forced to do good, but to do so willingly.
\VS{15}Maybe you lost him for a while so that you could have him back forever!
\VS{16}He’s not a servant anymore, because he’s more than a servant. He’s a specially-loved brother, particularly to me, and even more to you, both as a man and as a fellow-believer in the Lord.\FTNT{†}{{\FR 1:16 }
Literally, “in the flesh and in the Lord.”}
\par }{\PP \VS{17}So if you consider me as a colleague working together with you for the Lord,\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 1:17 }
“A colleague working together with you for the Lord.” The word in Greek is “partner,” but this needs explaining because of modern usage.} welcome him as if you were welcoming me.
\VS{18}If he has done you any wrong, or owes you anything, charge it to my account.
\VS{19}I Paul am signing this with my own hand: I will repay you. Of course I won’t mention what you owe me, including your very self!
\VS{20}Yes, brother, I’m expecting this favor from you in the Lord; please make me happy in Christ.
\par }{\PP \VS{21}I’m writing about this to you because I’m convinced you’ll do as I ask—in fact I know you’ll do even more than I’ve asked!
\VS{22}In the meantime please have a room ready for me, for I hope to be able to return to see you soon in answer to your prayers.
\VS{23}Epaphras who is here in prison with me sends his greetings,
\VS{24}as do my co-workers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.
\VS{25}May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
\par }