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Philemon 1:1 ¶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.>>
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