PHILEMON
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to
Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,
2 And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow
soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.
3 Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my
prayers.
5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus
and towards all the saints:
6 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the
acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because
the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command
thee that which is to the purpose:
9 For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as
Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands,
Onesimus,
11 Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable
both to me and thee:
12 Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own
bowels.
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.
14 But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed
might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou
mightest receive him again for ever:
16 Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear
brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in
the Lord?
17 If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put
that to my account.
19 I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to
say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.
20 Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in
the Lord.
21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that
thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your
prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.
25 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
