1:1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 1:2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 1:3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 1:5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 1:6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 1:7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 1:8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 1:9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 1:10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 1:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 1:12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 1:13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 1:14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 1:15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 1:16Not 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? 1:17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 1:18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 1:19I 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. 1:20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
1:21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 1:22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
1:23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus; 1:24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.
1:25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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