1 |
Paul, a
prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our
dearly
beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved
Apphia, and
Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace
to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I
thank my God, making mention of thee always in my
prayers, 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast
toward the
Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6That the communication
of thy
faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing
which is in
you in Christ Jesus. 7For we have great joy and consolation
in thy
love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 8Wherefore,
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is
convenient, 9Yet
for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as
Paul the
aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10I beseech
thee for
my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which
in time
past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom
I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own
bowels: 13Whom
I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered unto
me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would
I do
nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but
willingly.
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou
shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not 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? 17If thou count me therefore
a
partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee,
or oweth thee
ought, put that on mine account; 19I 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. 20Yea,
brother, let
me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21Having
confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22But
withal prepare
me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be
given unto
you.
23There
salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ
Jesus; 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my
fellowlabourers.
25The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. [Amin AM.C->26].