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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. | |
