1:1Paul, a prisoner of JesusChrist, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, andfellowlabourer, 1:2And toour beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to thechurch in thy house: 1:3Graceto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4I thank my God, makingmention of thee always in my prayers, 1:5Hearing of thy love and faith,which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 1:6That the communication of thyfaith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing whichis in you in Christ Jesus. 1:7For we have great joy andconsolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed bythee, brother. 1:8Wherefore,though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which isconvenient, 1:9Yet forlove’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul theaged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 1:10I beseech thee for my sonOnesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 1:11Which in time past was to theeunprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 1:12Whom I have sent again: thoutherefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 1:13Whom I would have retained withme, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of thegospel: 1:14But without thymind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were ofnecessity, but willingly. 1:15For perhaps he therefore departedfor a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 1:16Not now as a servant, but above aservant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee,both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 1:17If thou count me therefore apartner, receive him as myself. 1:18If he hath wronged thee, or oweththee ought, put that on mine account; 1:19I Paul have written itwith mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to theehow thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 1:20Yea, brother, let me have joy ofthee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
1:21Having confidence inthy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more thanI say. 1:22But withal prepareme also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be givenunto you.
1:23There salute theeEpaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 1:24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas,Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
1:25The grace of our LordJesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Authorized King James Version, originally published by Oxford Press, Oxford, 1769