Philemon:1:8-25

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Seeker Overlay ON

* Therefore , though I am bold enough in Christ to order you to do what is proper , * yet for love 's sake I rather appeal to yousince I am such a person as Paul , the aged , and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus * I appeal to you for my child , Onesimus , whose father I have become in my imprisonment . * Formerly he was useless to you , but now he is useful both to you and to me . * I am sending him back to you , sending my very heart . * I would have been glad to keep him with me , so that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel ; * but without your consent I did not want to do anything , so that your goodness would not be , in effect , by compulsion but of your own free will . * Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while , that you might have him back for ever , * no longer as a slave , but more than a slave , as a beloved brother , especially to me , but how much more to you , both in the flesh and in the Lord . * So if you consider me a partner , welcome him as you would welcome me . * If he has wronged you in any way , or owes you anything , charge that to my account . * I , Paul , am writing this with my own hand , I will pay it backnot to mention that you owe me even your own self . * Yes , brother , let me have some benefit from you in the Lord ; refresh my heart in Christ . * Confident of your obedience , I write to you , knowing that you will do even more than I say . * At the same time , prepare a guest room for me , for I hope through your prayers to be granted to you . * Epaphras , my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus , sends you greetings , * and so do Mark , Aristarchus , Demas , and Luke , my fellow workers . * The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit .

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