to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dear brother. He is especially so to me, and even more so to you now, both humanly speaking and in the Lord.

But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.

Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul,

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder:

Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.

But you, dear friends – recall the predictions foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit,

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, “This is my one dear Son. Listen to him!”

He had one left, his one dear son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my one dear son; perhaps they will respect him.’

To all those loved by God in Rome, called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, laborers in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.

Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.