(KJV) Philemon 1¹²

⥃Greetings from Paul and Timothy ^{[ Philippians 1:1–2 † Colossians 1:1–2 ]}

[1] Paul, a prisoner³ of Jesus Christ, and Timothy⁴ [our] brother, unto Philemon⁵ our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,⁶ [2] And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus⁷ our fellowsoldier⁸, and to the church⁹ in thy house: [3] Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.¹⁰

⥃Philemon’s Faith and Love

[4] I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,¹¹ [5] Hearing¹² of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord¹³ Jesus, and toward all saints; [6] That the communication¹⁴ of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging¹⁵ of every good thing which is in you¹⁶ in Christ Jesus. [7] For we have great joy¹⁷ and consolation in thy love, because the bowels¹⁸ of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

⥃Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus

[8] Wherefore, though I might be much bold¹⁹ in Christ to enjoin²⁰ thee that which is convenient, [9] Yet for love’s sake²¹ I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul²² the aged, and now also a prisoner²³ of Jesus Christ. [10] I beseech thee for my son²⁴ Onesimus²⁵, whom²⁶ I have begotten in my bonds: [11] Which in time past was to thee unprofitable²⁷²⁸, but now profitable to thee and to me: [12] Whom I have sent again: thou²⁹ therefore receive him, that is, mine³⁰ own bowels: [13] Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead³¹ he might have ministered unto me in the bonds³² of the gospel: [14] But without³³ thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit³⁴ should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. [15] For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;³⁵ [16] Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother³⁶ beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in³⁷ the flesh, and in the Lord? [17] If thou count³⁸ me therefore a partner, receive³⁹ him as myself. [18] If he hath wronged thee, or oweth [thee] ought, put that⁴⁰ on mine account; [19] I Paul⁴¹ have written [it] with mine own hand, I will repay [it]: albeit I do not say to thee how thou⁴² owest unto me even thine own self besides. [20] Yea, brother, let me⁴³ have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh⁴⁴ my bowels in the Lord. [21] Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.⁴⁵ [22] But withal prepare⁴⁶ me also a lodging: for I trust⁴⁷ that through⁴⁸ your prayers I shall be given unto you.

⥃Additional Greetings

[23] There salute thee Epaphras⁴⁹, my fellowprisoner⁵⁰ in Christ Jesus; [24] Marcus⁵¹, Aristarchus⁵², Demas⁵³, Lucas⁵⁴, my fellowlabourers⁵⁵. [25] The grace⁵⁶ of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit⁵⁷. Amen.