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also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
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Thanksgiving and Prayer
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,
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because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.
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I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
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Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
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Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,
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yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
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that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
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Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
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I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.
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I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.
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But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
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no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
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So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
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If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
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I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
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I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
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Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
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And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
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Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.
