Greeting to Philemon
PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow worker,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the congregation in your house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 ¶ I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of your love, and the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the holy ones;
6 That the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of all good which is in you, in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and encouragement in your love, because the affection of the holy ones are refreshed because of you, brother.
Plea for Onesimus
8 ¶ Therefore, though I might be greatly bold in Christ to command you to that which is proper,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Whom, in times past was to you useless, but now useful to you and to me:
12 Whom I have sent back to you; therefore receive him, that is my own bowels:
13 Whom I wished to have retained with me, that in your stead he might have served me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without your consent I would do nothing; that your good should not be according to obligation, rather according to your free will.
15 Perhaps, for this reason he departed for awhile, that you should receive him back forever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Paul’s Encouragement to Philemon
17 ¶ If you regard me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he has wronged you, or owes you anything, charge it to my account;
19 I Paul have written this with my own hand, I will repay: that I do not say to you, how you owe me even your own self.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will also do more than I say.
22 ¶ But at the same time, prepare for me also a lodging: for I expect that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus greets you;
24 As do Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.