The first Chapter.
Paul the prisoner of Iesu Christ, and brother Timotheus.
Unto Philemon the beloved, and our helper, and to the beloved Appia,
and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the congregation of thy
house.
Grace be with you and peace, from God our father, and from the lord
Iesus Christ.
I thank my God always making mention always of thee in my prayers, when
I hear of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the lord Iesu, and
toward all saints: so that the fellowship that thou hast in the faith
is fruitful thorow knowledge of all good things, which are in you by
Iesus Christ. And we have great joy and consolation over thy love: For
by thee brother, the saints' hearts are comforted.
Wherefore though I be bold in Christ to enjoin thee, that which
becometh thee: yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, though I be
as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Iesu Christ's sake. I
beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds, which in
time passed was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable both to thee
and also to me, whom I have sent home again. Thou therefore receive
him, that is to say mine own bowels, whom I would fain have retained
with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the
bonds of the gospell. Nevertheless, without thy mind, would I do
nothing, that that good which springeth of thee should not be as it
were of necessity, but willingly.
Haply he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive
him for ever, not now as a servant: but above a servant, I mean a
brother beloved, specially to me: but how much more unto thee, both in
the flesh, and also in the lord? If thou count me a fellow, receive him
as myself. If he have hurt thee or oweth thee ought, that lay to my
charge. I Paul have written it with mine own hand. I will recompense
it. So that I do not say to thee how that thou owest unto me even thine
own self. Even so brother, let me enjoy thee in the lord. Comfort my
bowels in the lord. Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt do more than I say for. Moreover prepare me
lodging: for I trust thorow the help of your prayers, I shall be given
unto you. There salute thee, Epaphras my fellow prisoner in Christe
Iesu, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my helpers. The grace of our
lord Iesu Christ be with your spirits, Amen.
Sent from Rome by Onesimus a servant.