< Philemon 1 >
1 Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, and to the beloved Apphia,
2 and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thine house,
3 grace and peace be to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always making mention of thee in my prayers,
5 (hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints, )
6 that the communication of thy faith may become effectual in the acknowledgement of all the good that is in you towards Christ Jesus:
7 for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed.
8 Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet,
9 I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.
10 I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,
11 who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:
12 him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.
13 Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.
14 But I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever: (aiōnios )
16 not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.
18 If he hath wronged thee in any thing, or is indebted to thee, place it to my accompt:
19 I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.
20 Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.
22 But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.
23 Epaphras my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, and Marcus,
24 Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke my fellow-laborers, salute thee.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
