Philemon:1
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Paul ,
a prisoner of Jesus Christ ,
and Timothy our brother ,
unto Philemon our dearly beloved ,
and fellowlabourer ,
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And to our beloved Apphia ,
and Archippus our fellowsoldier ,
and to the church in thy 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 thee always in my prayers ,
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Hearing of thy love and faith ,
which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus ,
and toward all saints ;
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That the communication of thy 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 thy love ,
because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee ,
brother .
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Wherefore ,
though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient ,
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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 .
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I beseech thee for my son Onesimus ,
whom I have begotten in my bonds :
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Which in time past was to thee unprofitable ,
but now profitable to thee and to me :
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Whom I have sent again :
thou therefore receive him ,
that is ,
mine own bowels :
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Whom I would have retained with me ,
that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel :
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But without thy mind would I do nothing ;
that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity ,
but willingly .
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For perhaps he therefore departed for a season ,
that thou shouldest 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 unto thee ,
both in the flesh ,
and in the Lord ?
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If thou count me therefore a partner ,
receive him as myself .
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If he hath wronged thee ,
or oweth thee ought ,
put that on mine account ;
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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 .
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Yea ,
brother ,
let me have joy of thee in the Lord :
refresh my bowels in the Lord .
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Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee ,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say .
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But withal prepare me also a lodging :
for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you .
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There salute thee Epaphras ,
my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus ;
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Marcus ,
Aristarchus ,
Demas ,
Lucas ,
my fellowlabourers .
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit .
Amen .