A letter that was written to a faithful Christian named Philemon, apparently by the hand of Paul himself, around 60-CE.
Chapter 1
1 Paul, a
prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus, and your brother Timothy, to our
beloved fellow worker PhileMon, 2
our sister ApPhia, our fellow soldier ArcHippus, and to the called
ones in your homes;
3 May
you receive loving care and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus
the Anointed One.
4 I always give thanks to my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I keep hearing about the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus and of the love that you have for all the Holy Ones. 6 [And I pray that] that we can have a share in the faith thatÕs in you by telling you more about the good things that weÕre doing through the Anointed One. 7 For I have felt so much joy and comfort, our brother, over the loving things that youÕve been doing to refresh the hearts of the holy ones. 8 And this is the reason why I feel free in the Anointed One to lay an obligation upon you to do something that would be very becomingÉ 9 or should I say that IÕm encouraging you because of your love, seeing that I am who I am, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus.
10 The encouragement that I wish to offer is in regard to my child (someone to whom IÕve become a father while IÕve been in prison) OneSimon. 11 For though he was once useless to you, he has now become useful to both you and meÉ 12 and IÕm returning this one to you, for whom I care so deeply.
13 Actually, I would rather keep him here for myself instead of sending him to you, so he can continue to serve my needs while IÕm in the shackles that IÕm wearing for the sake of the good news. 14 However, I donÕt wish to do anything without your consent, because I donÕt want any good deed that you may wish to do happen because you were forced into itÉ IÕd rather it was something that you really wanted to do.
15 Perhaps thatÕs the reason why he was able to break away from you for a little whileÉ so that you could have him back in this age 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother. HeÕs especially that to me, and now much more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a worthy associate, welcome him kindly as you would welcome me. 18 And if he did you any wrong or if he owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19 I (Paul) am writing this in my own hand and telling you that IÕll pay you backÉ of course, let me remind you that you already owe me. 20 Yes, my brother; May I request some profit from you in the LordÉ please offer me this refreshment in the tender mercies of the Anointed One!
21 Now, IÕm writing you in full confidence that youÕll go along with my request, and IÕm sure that youÕll do even more than what IÕve suggested. 22 In addition, prepare a place for me to stay, because I hope that because of all your prayers, IÕll soon be free for your sakes.
23 EpaPhras (my fellow captive in the Anointed One) sends you his greetings, as do 24 Mark, AristArchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be upon the spirit that you show.