Philemon 1:1
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon our beloved and co-workman,
Philemon 1:2
and to the beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the congregation at thy house:
Philemon 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1:4
I thank my God, making recollection of thee always in my prayers,
Philemon 1:5
hearing of thy love and faith, which thou have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the sanctified,
Philemon 1:6
so that the fellowship of thy faith may become potent (in the knowledge of every good thing in us) for Christ Jesus.
Philemon 1:7
For we have much joy and encouragement in thy love, because the bowels of the sanctified have been refreshed by thee, brother.
Philemon 1:8
Therefore, though I have much boldness in Christ to command thee that which is befitting,
Philemon 1:9
because of love I rather beseech, being such as aged Paul, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1:10
I beseech thee for my child Onesimus, whom I begot in my bonds.
Philemon 1:11
A man formerly unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me, whom I sent back.
Philemon 1:12
And thou should welcome him, that is, my bowels.
Philemon 1:13
Whom I wanted to keep back for myself, so that in thy behalf he might serve me in the bonds of the good news.
Philemon 1:14
But I wanted to do nothing without thy mind, so that thy goodness might not be as from obligation, but from volition.
Philemon 1:15
For perhaps because of this he departed for an hour, so that thou might receive him back forever,
Philemon 1:16
no longer as a bondman, but above a bondman, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in flesh and in the Lord.
Philemon 1:17
If then thou have me a partner, accept him as myself.
Philemon 1:18
But if he has wronged thee, or owes anything, charge this to me.
Philemon 1:19
I Paul write with my hand, I will repay, so that I may not say to thee that thou owe me in return even thyself.
Philemon 1:20
Yes, brother, let me have a favor of thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Philemon 1:21
Being confident in thine obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou will do above what I say.
Philemon 1:22
But simultaneously also prepare a lodging for me, for I hope that by your prayers I will be granted to you.
Philemon 1:23
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes thee,
Philemon 1:24
and Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my co-workmen.
Philemon 1:25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit. Truly.