Philemon 1:1-25 CEB

[1] From Paul, who is a prisoner for the cause of Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy. To Philemon our dearly loved coworker, [2] Apphia our sister, Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church that meets in your house. [3] May the grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. [4] Philemon, I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers [5] because I’ve heard of your love and faithfulness, which you have both for the Lord Jesus and for all God’s people. [6] I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ. [7] I have great joy and encouragement because of your love, since the hearts of God’s people are refreshed by your actions, my brother. [8] Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to command you to do the right thing, [9] I would rather appeal to you through love. I, Paul—an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus— [10] appeal to you for my child Onesimus. I became his father in the faith during my time in prison. [11] He was useless to you before, but now he is useful to both of us. [12] I’m sending him back to you, which is like sending you my own heart. [13] I considered keeping him with me so that he might serve me in your place during my time in prison because of the gospel. [14] However, I didn’t want to do anything without your consent so that your act of kindness would occur willingly and not under pressure. [15] Maybe this is the reason that Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever— [16] no longer as a slave but more than a slave—that is, as a dearly loved brother. He is especially a dearly loved brother to me. How much more can he become a brother to you, personally and spiritually in the Lord! [17] So, if you really consider me a partner, welcome Onesimus as if you were welcoming me. [18] If he has harmed you in any way or owes you money, charge it to my account. [19] I, Paul, will pay it back to you (I’m writing this with my own hand). Of course, I won’t mention that you owe me your life. [20] Yes, brother, I want this favor from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. [21] I’m writing to you, confident of your obedience and knowing that you will do more than what I ask. [22] Also, one more thing—prepare a guest room for me. I hope that I will be released from prison to be with you because of your prayers. [23] Epaphras, who is in prison with me for the cause of Christ Jesus, greets you, [24] as well as my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. [25] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.