| 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to
Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to
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 always, making mention of thee in my prayers, 5 hearing of thy love,
and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the
saints; 6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the
knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. 7 For I had
much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been
refreshed through thee, brother. 8 Wherefore, though I have all boldness
in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting, 9 yet for love's sake I
rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of
Christ Jesus: 10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my
bonds, Onesimus, 11 who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is
profitable to thee and to me: 12 whom I have sent back to thee in his own
person, that is, my very heart: 13 whom I would fain have kept with me,
that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not
be as of necessity, but of free will. 15 For perhaps he was therefore
parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;
16 no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved,
specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the
Lord. 17 If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
18 But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth thee aught, put
that to mine account; 19 I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay
it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self
besides. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my
heart in Christ. 21 Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto
thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. 22 But withal
prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be
granted unto you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus,
saluteth thee; 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my
fellow-workers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
Genesis - Public
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