Philemon

Paul to Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon the beloved, and our fellow-laborer,

2 and to Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church that is in thy 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 thee in my prayers,

5 hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become active in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in us for Christ Jesus.

7 For we, have great gratification and comfort in thy love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

8 Wherefore having great boldness in Christ to command thee what is becoming,

9 because of love I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul an aged man, but now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus,

10 I beseech thee in behalf of my son, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

11 who for some time was unprofitable to thee, but now useful to thee and to me, whom I have sent back.

12 But do thou receive him, that is my own bowels,

13 whom I would have retained with myself, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel;

14 but without thy consent I wished to do nothing, that thy good deed might not be as of necessity, but according to free will;

15 for perhaps for this purpose he was separated from thee for an hour, that thou mightest receive him for ever,

16 no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If, then, thou regardest me a partner, receive him as myself.

18 But if in anything he has wronged thee, or owes thee, charge this to me.

19 I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay: that I may not say to thee that thou owest even thyself to me.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in Christ.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience, I have written to thee, knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say.

22 And at the same time also prepare for me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you, as a favor.

23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes thee,

24 also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.