< Philemon 1 >
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy, the brother, to Philemon, the beloved, and our fellow-laborer;
2 and to Apphia, the beloved; and to Archippus, our fellow-soldier, and to the congregation in your house:
3 Favor to you, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always, making mention of you in my prayers--
5 (having heard of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all the saints)--
6 that the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledgment of every good thing that is among us, toward Christ Jesus.
7 For we have much joy and consolation in your love; because the souls of the saints are refreshed by you, brother.
8 Wherefore, thought I might be bold in Christ, to enjoin you what is fit;
9 yet, for love's sake, I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul, an old man, and now, also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech you for my son, whom I have begot, in my bonds, even Onesimus;
11 who formerly was to you unprofitable, but now will be very profitable to you, even as he has been to me--
12 whom I have sent back: do you, therefore, receive him as an object of my tenderest affection;
13 whom I was desirous to have detained with myself, that, in your stead, he might have ministered to me, in these bonds, for the gospel:
14 but without your mind I would do nothing, that the good derived might not be as if by constraint, but as voluntary.
15 Perhaps, also, for this reason he was separated for a little while, that you might have him for ever: (aiōnios )
16 no longer as a slave only, but above a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me--and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If, then, you hold me as a partner, receive him as myself.
18 And if he had injured you in anything, or owes you, place it to my account.
19 I, Paul, have written with my own hand--I will repay. I forbear to urge upon you, that you owe to me even your ownself.
20 I beseech you brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord-- gratify my tender affections for Christ's sake.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I have written to you, knowing that you will even do more than I ask.
22 But at the same time, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers, I shall be granted to you.
23 These salute you, Epaphras, my fellow prisoner for Christ Jesus;
24 Mark, Aristarchus; Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.
25 The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
