Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. read more. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. So, brothers,in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. read more. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, read more. and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus--

yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus--

yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus-- I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,whose father I became in my imprisonment.

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,whose father I became in my imprisonment.

I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)

(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.

I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, read more. 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.

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 your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it--to say nothing of your owing me even your own self.

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it--to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Yes, brother, I want 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.

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 am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.