Philemon 1:1-9

1From Paul, who is a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and our brother Timothy. To our dear coworker Philemon,

2our sister Apphia, our fellow soldier Archippus, and the church that meets in your house.

3Good will  and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

4⌞Philemon,⌟ I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers because

5I hear about your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people.

6As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ.

7Your love ⌞for God’s people⌟ gives me a lot of joy and encouragement. You, brother, have comforted God’s people.

8Christ makes me bold enough to order you to do the right thing.

9However, I would prefer to make an appeal on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an old man and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus,