- 1
- Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ, & Timothie our brother vnto Philemon our dearely beloued, and fellow labourer,
- 2
- And to our beloued Apphia, and Archippus our fellow Souldier, and to the Church in thy house.
- 3
- Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ.
- 4
- I thanke my God, making mention of thee alwayes in my prayers,
- 5
- Hearing of thy loue, and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Iesus, and toward all Saints:
- 6
- That the communication of thy faith may become effectuall by the acknowledging of euery good thing, which is in you in Christ Iesus.
- 7
- For wee haue great ioy and consolation in thy loue, because the bowels of the Saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
- 8
- Wherefore, though I might bee much bolde in Christ to enioyne thee that which is conuenient;
- 9
- Yet for loues sake I rather beseech thee, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Iesus Christ.
- 10
- I beseech thee for my sonne Onesimus, whome I haue begotten in my bonds,
- 11
- Which in time past was to thee vnprofitable: but now profitable to thee and to me:
- 12
- Whom I haue sent againe: thou therfore receiue him, that is mine owne bowels.
- 13
- Whome I would haue reteined with mee, that in thy stead hee might haue ministred vnto me in the bonds of the Gospel.
- 14
- But without thy minde would I doe nothing, that thy benefite should not bee as it were of necessitie, but willingly.
- 15
- For perhaps hee therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receiue him for euer:
- 16
- Not now as a seruant, but aboue a seruant, a brother beloued, specially to mee, but how much more vnto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
- 17
- If thou count mee therefore a partner, receiue him as my selfe.
- 18
- If hee hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account.
- 19
- I Paul haue written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I doe not say to thee how thou owest vnto me, euen thine owne selfe besides:
- 20
- Yea, brother, let mee haue ioy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowles in the Lord.
- 21
- Hauing confidence in thy obedience, I wrote vnto thee, knowing that thou wilt also doe more then I say.
- 22
- But withall prepare mee also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be giuen vnto you.
- 23
- There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Iesus:
- 24
- Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.
- 25
- The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a seruant.
|