Paul’s Letter to Philemon

chapter 1


verse #1

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,


verse #2

to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:


verse #3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


verse #4

I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,


verse #5

hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,


verse #6

that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.


verse #7

For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.


verse #8

Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,


verse #9

yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.


verse #10

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have become the father of in my chains,


verse #11

who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.


verse #12

I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,


verse #13

whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.


verse #14

But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.


verse #15

For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while that you would have him forever,


verse #16

no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.


verse #17

If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.


verse #18

But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.


verse #19

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).


verse #20

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.


verse #21

Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.


verse #22

Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.


verse #23

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,


verse #24

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.


verse #25

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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