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