| 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. |
