| Chapter 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. |
