Philemon
1 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:
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.
