Prayer of Thanksgiving for Philemon

1 PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon the beloved and our fellow-laborer,

2 and to Apphia the beloved, and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

5 hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and unto all the saints;

6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us, unto Christ Jesus.

7 For I had much joy and consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother.

Paul's Petition for Onisimus

8 Wherefore, though having much boldness in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is becoming,

9 yet for love's sake I beseech rather; being such a one, as Paul an old man, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ,

10 I beseech thee for my child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus;

11 who in time past was unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me;

12 whom I sent back to thee. But do thou receive him, that is, my own flesh;

13 whom I would have retained with myself, that in thy stead he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel.

14 But without thy consent I desired to do nothing; that thy benefit may not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

15 For perhaps he departed for a season to this end, that thou shouldest receive him as thine forever;

16 no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord!

Paul's Promise to Philemon

17 If thou countest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

18 But if he wronged thee in any thing, or owes aught, put that to my account.

19 I, Paul, wrote it with my own hand, I will repay. Not to say to thee, that to me thou owest also thine own self besides.

20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 But at the same time be preparing for me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus;

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.