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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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having heard 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 hearts of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
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Therefore, though I might be bold enough in Christ to enjoin thee to do that which is befitting,
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yet for love's sake rather I 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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In time past he was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me.
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I am sending him back. Thou therefore receive him, who is mine own heart.
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I would have retained him 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 goodness 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 back for ever--
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not now as a servant, but more than a servant: as a brother beloved, especially 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 this 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 soul 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 besides 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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also Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow laborers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.