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Philemon
1Paul, a prisoner of Christ
Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,
2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier,
and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I thank my God
always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5hearing of your
love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward
all the saints; 6that the fellowship of your faith may become
effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto
Christ. 7For I had much joy and comfort in your love, because
the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
8Wherefore,
though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin you that which is
befitting, 9yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a
one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus: 10I
beg you for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, O-nes-i-mus, 11who
once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me: 12whom
I have sent back to you in his own person, that is, my very heart: 13whom
I would gladly have kept with me, that in your behalf he might minister
unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14but without your mind I
would do nothing; that your goodness should not be as of necessity, but of
free will. 15For perhaps he was therefore parted from
you for a season, that you should have him for ever; 16no
longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially
to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17If
then you count me a partner, receive him as myself. 18But if he
has wronged you at all, or owes you
anything, put that to my account; 19I Paul write it with my own
hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto you that you owe to me even
your own self besides. 20Yes, brother, let me have joy of you
in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ. 21Having confidence in
your obedience I write unto you, knowing that you will do even beyond what
I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that
through your prayers I shall be granted unto you. 23Epaphras,
my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salute you; 24and
so does Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers. 25The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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