1: Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow-laborer, 2: And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus 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 towards the Lord Jesus, and towards 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 very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient. 9: Yet for love's sake I rather beseech [thee], being such 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: Who 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, my own bowels: 13: Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel: 14: But without thy mind I would 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 shouldst receive him for ever; 16: Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17: If thou accountest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18: If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] aught, put that on my account; 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. 20: Yes, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21: Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22: But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you. 23: There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; 24: Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers. 25: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
