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to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
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hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
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that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
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Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
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yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--
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I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
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who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
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I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,