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Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our
dearly beloved, and fellow laborer,
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And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church
in your 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, making mention of you always in my prayers,
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Hearing of your love and faith, which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward
all saints;
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That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging
of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
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For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the bowels of the
saints are refreshed by you, brother.
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Why, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you that which is
convenient,
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Yet for love's sake I rather beseech you, being such an one as Paul the aged,
and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
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I beseech you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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Which in time past was to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me:
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Whom I have sent again: you therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels:
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Whom I would have retained with me, that in your stead he might have ministered
to me in the bonds of the gospel:
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But without your mind would I do nothing; that your benefit should not be as it
were of necessity, but willingly.
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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that you should receive him for
ever;
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Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me,
but how much more to you, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
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If you count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
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If he has wronged you, or owes you ought, put that on my account;
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I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to
you how you owe to me even your own self besides.
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Yes, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you, knowing that you will also
do more than I say.
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But with prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I
shall be given to you.
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There salute you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.