|
[1] Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and our brother Timotheus, unto Philemon our dear friend, and fellow helper,
[2] And to our dear sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the Church that is in thine house:
[3] Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
[4] I give thanks to my God, making mention always of thee in my prayers,
[5] (When I hear of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all Saints)
[6] That the fellowship of thy faith may be made effectual, and that whatsoever good thing is in you through Christ Jesus, may be known.
[7] For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because by thee, brother, the Saints' bowels are comforted.
[8] Wherefore, though I be very bold in Christ to command thee that which is convenient,
[9] Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and even now a prisoner for Jesus Christ.
[10] I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
[11] Which in times past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable both 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] It may be that he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever,
[16] Not now as a servant, but above a servant, even as a brother beloved, specially to me: how much more then unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?
[17] If therefore thou count our things common, receive him as myself.
[18] If he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought, that put on mine accounts.
[19] I Paul have written this with mine own hand: I will recompense it, albeit I do not say to thee, that thou owest moreover unto me even thine own self.
[20] Yea, brother, let me obtain this pleasure of thee in the Lord: comfort my bowels in the Lord.
[21] Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more then I say.
[22] Moreover also prepare me lodging: for I trust through your prayers I shall be freely given unto you.
[23] There salute thee Epaphras my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,
[24] Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow helpers.
[25] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen.
|