1 | Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon
our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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2 | And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the
church in thy house:
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3 | Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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4 | I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
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5 | Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and
toward all saints;
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6 | That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the
acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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7 | For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of
the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
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8 | Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which
is convenient,
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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.
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10 | I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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11 | Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee
and to me:
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12 | Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own
bowels:
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13 | Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have
ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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14 | But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as
it were of necessity, but willingly.
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15 | For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest
receive him for ever;
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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?
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17 | If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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18 | If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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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.
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20 | Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in
the Lord.
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21 | Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou
wilt also do more than I say.
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22 | But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your
prayers I shall be given unto you.
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23 | There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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24 | Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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25 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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