Chapter 1

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

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  and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:  

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

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

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  hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;  

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  that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.  

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  For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.  

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  Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,  

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  yet for love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:  

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  I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,  

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  who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:  

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  whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:  

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  whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:  

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  but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.  

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  For perhaps he was therefore parted [from thee] for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;  

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  no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  

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  If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.  

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  But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth [thee] aught, put that to mine account;  

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  I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.  

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  Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.  

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  Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.  

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  But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.  

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  Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;  

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  [and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.  

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

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