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Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ and Timothy our brother unto Philemon our dearly beloved and fellowlabourer
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And to our beloved Apphia and Archippus our fellowsoldier 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 an 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 for ever
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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 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 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 fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus
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Marcus Aristarchus Demas Lucas my fellowlabourers
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Amen