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Philemon 1 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Greetings from Paul
Phm 1:1This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker,
Phm 1:2and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your[fn] house.
Phm 1:3May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
Phm 1:4I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon,
Phm 1:5because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.
Phm 1:6And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
Phm 1:7Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
Phm 1:8That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.
Phm 1:9But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.[fn]
Phm 1:10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
Phm 1:11Onesimus[fn] hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
Phm 1:12I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
Phm 1:13I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf.
Phm 1:14But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced.
Phm 1:15It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever.
Phm 1:16He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
Phm 1:17So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Phm 1:18If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Phm 1:19I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WONT MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!
Phm 1:20Yes, my brother, please do me this favor[fn] for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
Phm 1:21I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!
Phm 1:22One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul’s Final Greetings
Phm 1:23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.
Phm 1:24So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
Phm 1:25May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
NLT Footnotes
Throughout this letter, you and your are singular except in verses 3, 22, and 25.
Or a prisoner of Christ Jesus.
Onesimus means “useful.”
Greek onaimen, a play on the name Onesimus.
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Philemon Chapter 1 — Additional Translations: