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1 Paul (humble), a prisoner of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), and Timothy (honoring God) our brother, To Philemon (affectionate) our beloved {agapētō} fellow worker, 2 to Apphia (increasing) our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church {ekklēsia} that meets at your house: 3 Grace and peace to you⁺ from God {Theou} our Father and the Lord {Kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One). 4 I always thank my God {Theō}, remembering you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord {Kyrion} Jesus (YHWH saves) and your love {agapēn} for all the saints (holy ones). 6 I pray that your partnership {koinōnia} in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every good thing that is ours in Christ (the Anointed One). 7 I take great joy and encouragement in your love {agapē}, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints (holy ones). 8 So although in Christ (the Anointed One) I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, 9 I prefer to appeal on the basis of love {agapēn}. For I, Paul (humble), am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves) as well. 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus (useful), whose father I became while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending back to you him who is my very heart. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel (good news). 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a slave {doulon}, but better than a slave, as a beloved {agapēton} brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord {Kyriō}. 17 So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. Philemon 1:1-17, Berean Annotated Bible. Public domain.
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