Phlm 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 our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in
your 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 you in my prayers,
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hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward
all the saints;
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that the fellowship of your faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every
good thing which is in you, to Christ.
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For I had much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have
been refreshed through you, brother.
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Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin you 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 Christ Jesus:
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I beseech you for my child, whom I have engendered in my bonds, Onesimus,
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who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me:
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whom I have sent back to you in his own person, that is, my very heart:
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whom I would fain have kept with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in
the bonds of the gospel:
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but without your mind I would do nothing; that your goodness should not be as of necessity,
but of free will.
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For perhaps he was therefore parted [from you] for a season, that you should have
him for ever;
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no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me,
but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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If then you count me a partner, receive him as myself.
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But if he has wronged the at all, or owes [you] anything, 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 to you that you
owe to me even your own self besides.
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Yea, brother, let me have joy of you in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.
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Having confidence in your obedience I write to you, knowing that you will 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 to you.
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Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you;
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[and so do] Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.