1:1 | Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, |
1:2 | And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: |
1:3 | Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
1:4 | I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, |
1:5 | Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; |
1:6 | That the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. |
1:7 | For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. |
1:8 | Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command thee what is befitting, |
1:9 | 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. |
1:10 | I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: |
1:11 | Who in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: |
1:12 | Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, my own heart: |
1:13 | Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel: |
1:14 | But without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. |
1:15 | For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; |
1:16 | Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? |
1:17 | If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. |
1:18 | If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] any thing, put that on my account; |
1:19 | I Paul have written [it] with my own hand, I will repay [it]: although I do not say to thee that thou owest to me even thy own self besides. |
1:20 | Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord. |
1:21 | Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. |
1:22 | But at the same time prepare for me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you. |
1:23 | There greet thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; |
1:24 | Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellowlabourers. |
1:25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen. <<[Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.]>> |