Philemon 1 — King James Version

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