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.
26
Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus, a servant.
