Philemon:1

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

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