Philemon
Bible, King James Version (KJV)
Philemon
Phlm.1
[
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.
