# Philemon 1 [[Philemon]] *** ###### v1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, ###### v2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: ###### v3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ###### v4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, ###### v5 hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints, ###### v6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. ###### v7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. ###### v8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, ###### v9 yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. ###### v10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, ###### v11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. ###### v12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, ###### v13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. ###### v14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. ###### v15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, ###### v16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. ###### v17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. ###### v18 But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account. ###### v19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). ###### v20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. ###### v21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. ###### v22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. ###### v23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ###### v24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. ###### v25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. *** [[Philemon]]