Philemon 1:1-25 GW

[1] From Paul, who is a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy. To our dear coworker Philemon, [2] our sister Apphia, our fellow soldier Archippus, and the church that meets in your house. [3] Good will and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours! [4] Philemon, I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers because [5] I hear about your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. [6] As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ. [7] Your love for God's people gives me a lot of joy and encouragement. You, brother, have comforted God's people. [8] Christ makes me bold enough to order you to do the right thing. [9] However, I would prefer to make an appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus, [10] appeal to you for my child Onesimus [Useful]. I became his spiritual father here in prison. [11] Once he was useless to you, but now he is very useful to both of us. [12] I am sending him back to you. This is like sending you a part of myself. [13] I wanted to keep him here with me. Then he could have served me in your place while I am in prison for spreading the Good News. [14] Yet, I didn't want to do anything without your consent. I want you to do this favor for me out of your own free will without feeling forced to do it. [15] Maybe Onesimus was gone for a while so that you could have him back forever- [16] no longer as a slave but better than a slave-as a dear brother. He is especially dear to me, but even more so to you, both as a person and as a Christian. [17] If you think of me as your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. [18] If he wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. [19] I, Paul, promise to pay it back. I'm writing this with my own hand. I won't even mention that you owe me your life. [20] So, because we're brothers in the Lord, do something for me. Give me some comfort because of Christ. [21] I am confident as I write to you that you will do this. And I know that you will do even more than I ask. [22] One more thing-have a guest room ready for me. I hope that, because of your prayers, God will give me back to you. [23] Epaphras, who is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus like I am, [24] and my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke send you greetings. [25] The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be yours.