Philemon 1:1-25 TLB

[1] From: Paul, in jail for preaching the Good News about Jesus Christ, and from Brother Timothy. To: Philemon, our much-loved fellow worker, and to the church that meets in your home, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus who, like myself, is a soldier of the cross. [3] May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his blessings and his peace. [4] I always thank God when I am praying for you, dear Philemon, [5] because I keep hearing of your love and trust in the Lord Jesus and in his people. [6] And I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that come from Christ Jesus. [7] I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God's people. [8] Now I want to ask a favor of you. I could demand it of you in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do, but I love you and prefer just to ask you-I, Paul, an old man now, here in jail for the sake of Jesus Christ. [10] My plea is that you show kindness to my child Onesimus, whom I won to the Lord while here in my chains. [11] Onesimus (whose name means "Useful") hasn't been of much use to you in the past, but now he is going to be of real use to both of us. [12] I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. [13] I really wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and you would have been helping me through him, [14] but I didn't want to do it without your consent. I didn't want you to be kind because you had to but because you wanted to. [15] Perhaps you could think of it this way: that he ran away from you for a little while so that now he can be yours forever, [16] no longer only a slave, but something much better-a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you too, because he is not only a servant but also your brother in Christ. [17] If I am really your friend, give him the same welcome you would give to me if I were the one who was coming. [18] If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. [19] I will pay it back (I, Paul, personally guarantee this by writing it here with my own hand) but I won't mention how much you owe me! The fact is, you even owe me your very soul! [20] Yes, dear brother, give me joy with this loving act and my weary heart will praise the Lord. [21] I've written you this letter because I am positive that you will do what I ask and even more! [22] Please keep a guest room ready for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me come to you soon. [23] Epaphras my fellow prisoner, who is also here for preaching Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. [24] So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. [25] The blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon your spirit. Paul