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