BOOK 57  ........BOOK OF PHILEMON

.....CHAPTER 1
    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.
