## Philemon's Love and Faith 

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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved _brother_ and fellow worker, 

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and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 

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

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I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, 

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because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 

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_and I pray_ that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the full knowledge of every good thing which is in you for the sake of Christ. 

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For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. 

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Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command you _to do_ what is proper, 

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yet for love's sake I rather plead with _you_--since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus-- 

## Plea for Onesimus 

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I plead with you for my child Onesimus, of whom I became a father in my chains, 

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who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 

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I have sent him back to you in person, that is, my very heart, 

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whom I intended to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel, 

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but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but voluntarily. 

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For perhaps he was for this reason separated _from you_ for a while, that you would have him back forever, 

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no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 

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If then you regard me a partner, accept him as _you would accept_ me. 

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But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 

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I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). 

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Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ! 

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Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. 

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And at the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. 

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Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 

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_as do_ Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 

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