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1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
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3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
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5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
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6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
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8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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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.
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10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
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12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
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15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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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?
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17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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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.
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20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
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23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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- 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,
- 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
- 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
- 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;
- 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake.
- 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
- 8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper,
- 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
- 10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
- 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
- 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart,
- 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;
- 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will.
- 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,
- 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
- 17 If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.
- 18 But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account;
- 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well).
- 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
- 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.
- 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
- 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
- 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
- 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.*
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