Anderson - Philemon - 1

1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy my brother, to Philemon my beloved, and our fellow-laborer,

1:2  and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church that is in your house:

1:3  grace be to you all, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4  I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

1:5  hearing of your love and your faith, which you have in the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints,

1:6  that your participation in the faith may be active in the acknowledgment of every good thing that is in us, to the honor of Christ Jesus.

1:7  For we have great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

1:8  Wherefore, though I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do that which is becoming,

1:9  yet, on account of my love, I rather exhort you, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner on account of Jesus Christ.

1:10  I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

1:11  who, for some time, has been unprofitable to you, but now is very profitable to you and to me:

1:12  I send him back, and do you receive him, that is, my son.

1:13  I did wish to keep him with me, that, in your stead, he might serve me in my bonds for the gospel;

1:14  but, without your consent, I was not willing to do any thing, that your good deed might not be as a matter of necessity, but one of free-will.

1:15  Perhaps, indeed, lie departed for a short time for this reason, that you might receive him forever;

1:16  no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, especially by me, and how much more by you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1:17  If, then, you regard me as a partner, receive him as myself.

1:18  But if he has done you any wrong, or owes you any thing, put that to my account.

1:19  I, Paul, do write it with my own hand, I will repay it; that I may not say to you, that you owe to me even yourself besides.

1:20  Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord.

1:21  Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

1:22  At the same time, also, prepare me a lodging: for I hope that through the prayers of you all, I may be given to you.

1:23  Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you:

1:24  so also do Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-laborers.

1:25  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits. Amen.