Philemon

1 Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ,

and [our] brother Timothy,

unto Philemon our dear friend,

and fellow helper,

2 And to [our] dear sister Apphia,

and to Archippus our fellow soldier,

and to the Church that is in thine house:

3 Grace [be] with you,

and peace from God our Father,

and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my God,

making mention always of thee in my prayers,

5 (When I hear of thy love and faith,

which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus,

and toward all Saints.)

6 That the fellowship of thy faith

may be made effectual,

and that whatsoever good thing is in you

through Christ Jesus,

may be known.

7 For we have great joy

and consolation in thy love,

because by thee, brother,

the Saints bowels are comforted.

8 Wherefore, though I be very bold in Christ

to command thee that which is convenient,

9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee,

though I be as I am, even Paul aged,

and even now a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus,

whom I have begotten in my bonds,

11 Which in times past was to thee unprofitable,

but now profitable both to thee and to me.

12 Whom I have sent again:

thou therefore receive him,

that is mine own bowels,

13 Whom I would have received with me,

that in thy stead he might have ministered

unto me in the bonds of the Gospel.

14 But without thy mind would I do nothing,

that thy benefit should not be

as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 It may be that he therefore departed for a season,

that thou shouldest receive him forever,

16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant,

[even] as a brother beloved,

specially to me:

how much more then unto thee,

both in the flesh and in the Lord?

17 If therefore thou count our things common,

receive him as myself.

18 If he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought,

that put on my accounts.

19 I Paul have written [this] with mine own hand:

I will recompense it,

albeit I do not say to thee,

that thou owest moreover unto me

even thine own self.

20 Yea, brother, let me obtain

this pleasure of thee in the Lord:

comfort my bowels in the Lord.

21 Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee

knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say,

22 Moreover also prepare me lodging:

for I trust through your prayers

I shall be freely given unto you.

23 There salute thee Epaphras

my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke,

my fellow helpers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with your spirit, Amen.