Philemon

Philemon ©

1 The salutation. 4 Paul declareth his joy in hearing of the love and faith of Philemon; 8 earnestly entreating him to receive into his favour his once fugitive servant Onesimus, now become a faithful Christian. 22 He desireth him to provide a lodging for himself, who was in expectation of a speedy release; 23 and concludeth with salutations and a benediction.

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PAUL,a a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and bTimothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and cfellowlabourer,

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And to our beloved Apphia, and dArchippus our fellowsoldier, and to ethe church in thy house:

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

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gI thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

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

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That ithe 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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jFor we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because kthe *bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

k v.20.
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Wherefore, though I might be much lbold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

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Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such man one as Paul the aged, and now also a nprisoner of Jesus Christ.

n v.1,10. Ep. 3.1.
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I beseech thee for my son oOnesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

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pWhich in time past was qto thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

q v.18,16.
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Whom I have sent again: thou therefore rreceive him, that is, mine own *bowels:

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Whom I would have retained with me, that sin thy *stead he might have ministered unto me in tthe bonds of the gospel:

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But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should unot be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

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For vperhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

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wNot now as a servant, but above a servant, xa 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 ya partner, receive him as myself.

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If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, 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 zhow thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

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Yea, brother, alet me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my *bowels in the Lord.

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bHaving 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 cI trust that through your prayers I shall be dgiven unto you.

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There salute thee eEpaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

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fMarcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

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gThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.