1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9 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. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable 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 retained 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 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 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? 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 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. 20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, and our brother Timotheus, vnto Philemon our deare friende, and fellowe helper, 2 And to our deare sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellowe souldier, and to the Church that is in thine house: 3 Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ. 4 I giue thanks to my God, making mention alwaies of thee in my praiers, 5 (When I heare of thy loue and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Iesus, and towarde all Saintes) 6 That the fellowship of thy faith may bee made effectuall, and that whatsoeuer good thing is in you through Christ Iesus, may be knowen. 7 For we haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue, because by thee, brother, the Saintes bowels are comforted. 8 Wherefore, though I bee very bolde in Christ to commaund thee that which is conuenient, 9 Yet for loues sake I rather beseeche thee, though I be as I am, euen Paul aged, and euen nowe a prisoner for Iesus Christ. 10 I beseeche thee for my sonne Onesimus, whome I haue begotten in my bondes, 11 Which in times past was to thee vnprofitable, but nowe profitable both to thee and to me, 12 Whome I haue sent againe: thou therefore receiue him, that is mine owne bowels, 13 Whom I woulde haue reteined with mee, that in thy steade he might haue ministred vnto me in the bondes of the Gospel. 14 But without thy minde woulde I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not be as it were of necessitie, but willingly. 15 It may be that he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receiue him for euer, 16 Not now as a seruant, but aboue a seruant, euen as a brother beloued, specially to me: howe much more then vnto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 17 If therefore thou count our thinges common, receiue him as my selfe. 18 If he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought, that put on mine accounts. 19 I Paul haue written this with mine owne hande: I will recompense it, albeit I doe not say to thee, that thou owest moreouer vnto me euen thine owne selfe. 20 Yea, brother, let mee obteine this pleasure of thee in the Lord: comfort my bowels in the Lord. 21 Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote vnto thee, knowing that thou wilt do eue more then I say. 22 Moreouer also prepare mee lodging: for I trust through your prayers I shall be freely giuen vnto you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras my felowe prisoner in Christ Iesus, 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my felowe helpers. 25 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen. ‘Written from Rome to Philemon, and send by Onesimus a seruant.’