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.

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