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