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The Epistle of Saint Paul to Philemon

Chapter 1

He commends the faith and charity of Philemon; and sends back to him his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.


1
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, a brother: to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer,

2
And to Appia, our dearest sister, and to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church which is in thy house.

3
Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4
I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers.

5
Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints:

6
That the communication of thy faith may be made evident in the acknowledgment of every good work that is in you in Christ Jesus.

7
For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

8
Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus to command thee that which is to the purpose:

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For charity sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ.

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I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,

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Who hath been heretofore unprofitable to thee but now is profitable both to me and thee:

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Whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels.

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Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered to me in the bands of the gospel.

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But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season from thee that thou mightest receive him again for ever:

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Not now as a servant, but instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me. But how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

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If therefore thou count me a partner, receive him as myself.

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And if he hath wronged thee in any thing or is in thy debt, put that to my account.

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I Paul have written it with my own hand: I will repay it: not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also.

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Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord! Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

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Trusting in thy obedience, I have written to thee: knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

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But withal prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus:

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Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers.

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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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