Paul, a prisoner of Jesus
Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon
our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,2. And to our beloved
Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to
the church in thy house:
3. Grace to you,
and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
4. I thank my
God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5. Hearing of
thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the
Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6. That the
communication of thy faith may become effectual
by the acknowledging of every good thing which is
in you in Christ Jesus.
7. For we have
great joy and consolation in thy love, because
the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee,
brother.
8. Wherefore,
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin
thee that which is convenient,
9. Yet for
love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an
one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of
Jesus Christ.
10. I beseech
thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in
my bonds:
11. Which in
time past was to thee unprofitable, but now
profitable to thee and to me:
12. Whom I have
sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is,
mine own bowels:
13. Whom I would
have retained with me, that in thy stead he might
have ministered unto me in the bonds of the
gospel:
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14. But
without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy
benefit should not be as it were of necessity,
but willingly.15. For perhaps he therefore
departed for a season, that thou shouldest
receive him for ever;
16. Not now as a
servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved,
specially to me, but how much more unto thee,
both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17. If thou
count me therefore a partner, receive him as
myself.
18. If he hath
wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on
mine account;
19. I Paul have
written it with mine own hand, I will repay it:
albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto
me even thine own self besides.
20. Yea,
brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord:
refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21. Having
confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22. But withal
prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23. There salute
thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24. Marcus,
Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25. The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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