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
. Written
from
Rome
to
Philemon
, by
Onesimus
a servant
.