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Chapter 1
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow worker,
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and to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, 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 always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
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hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
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that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, unto Christ Jesus.
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For we have much thankfulness and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.
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Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,
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yet for love’s sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ:
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I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
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who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me: whom I have sent again:
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and do thou receive him, that is, my very heart:
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whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
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but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.
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For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him forever;
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no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.
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But if he hath wronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account;
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I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.
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Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in the Lord.
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Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
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But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.
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There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;
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Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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