Havingsofond an affectionfor you, we were well-pleasedto impartto you not onlythe gospelof Godbut alsoour ownlives,becauseyou had becomevery dearto us.
And a centurion'sslave,whowas highly regardedby him, was sickand aboutto die.
Paul,a bond-servantof ChristJesus,called[as] an apostle,set apartfor the gospelof God,
Brethren,my heart'sdesireand my prayerto Godfor them is for [their] salvation.
I knowthat when I cometo you, I will comein the fullnessof the blessingof Christ.
I will most gladlyspendand be expendedfor your souls.IfI loveyou more,am I to be lovedless?
And working together[with Him], we alsourgeyou not to receivethe graceof Godin vain--
My children,with whomI amagainin laboruntilChristis formedin you--
For Godis my witness,howI longfor you allwith the affectionof ChristJesus.
But evenifI am being poured out as a drink offeringupon the sacrificeand serviceof your faith,I rejoiceand share my joywith you all.
For I haveno one[else] of kindred spiritwhowill genuinelybe concernedfor your welfare.
Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
We proclaimHim, admonishingeverymanand teachingeverymanwith allwisdom,sothat we may presenteverymancompletein Christ.
justas you learned[it] from Epaphras,our belovedfellow bond-servant,whois a faithfulservantof Christon our behalf,
Epaphras,whois one of your number,a bondslaveof JesusChrist,sends you his greetings,alwayslaboring earnestlyfor you in his prayers,that you may standperfectand fully assuredin allthe willof God.
Paul,a prisonerof ChristJesus,and Timothyour brother,To Philemonour beloved[brother] and fellow worker,
Obeyyour leadersand submit[to them], for they keep watchoveryour soulsas those who will givean account.Let them dothiswith joyand not with grief,for thiswould be unprofitablefor you.
We knowloveby this,that He laiddownHis lifefor us; and we oughtto lay downour livesfor the brethren.
