“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. <<[Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a
servant.]>>” (Philemon 1:1-25 AV)
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