| 1 | Paul , a prisoner of Jesus Christ , and Timothy [our] brother , unto Philemon our dearly beloved , and fellowlabourer , |
| 2 | And to [our] beloved Apphia , and Archippus our fellowsoldier , 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 toward the Lord Jesus , and toward 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 much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient , |
| 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 . |
| 10 | I beseech thee for my son Onesimus , whom I have begotten in my bonds : |
| 11 | Which 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, mine own bowels : |
| 13 | Whom I would have retained with me , that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel : |
| 14 | But without thy mind would I 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 shouldest receive him for ever ; |
| 16 | Not now as a servant , but above a servant , a brother beloved , specially to me , but how much more unto thee , both in the flesh , and in the Lord ? |
| 17 | If thou count me therefore a partner , receive him as myself . |
| 18 | If he hath wronged thee , or oweth [thee] ought , put that on mine account ; |
| 19 | I Paul have written [it] with mine own hand , I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides . |
| 20 | Yea , brother , let me have joy of thee in the Lord : refresh my bowels in the Lord . |
| 21 | Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee , knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say . |
| 22 | But withal prepare me also a lodging : for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you . |
| 23 | There salute thee Epaphras , my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus ; |
| 24 | Marcus , Aristarchus , Demas , Lucas , my fellowlabourers . |
| 25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit . Amen . from Rome to Philemon , by Onesimus a servant > |
