Holy Bible
(King James Version)
Philemon:
Chapter 1
1. PAUL,
a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Phi-le-mon our
dearly beloved, and fellow-labourer,
2. And to our beloved Apphia, and Ar-chip-pus our fellow-soldier, 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 O-nes-i-mus, 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 aught, 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 Ep-a-phras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24. Marcus, Ar-is-tar-chus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers.
25. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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