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1:1: Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and
Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
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1:2: And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus
our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
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1:3: Grace to you, and peace, from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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1:4: I thank my God, making mention of thee
always in my prayers,
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1:5: Hearing of thy love and faith, which
thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
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1:6: 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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1:7: 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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1:8: Wherefore, though I might be much bold
in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
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1:9: 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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1:10: I beseech thee for my son
Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
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1:11: Which in time past was to thee
unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
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1:12: Whom I have sent again: thou
therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
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1:13: 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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1:14: 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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1:15: For perhaps he therefore
departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
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1:16: 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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1:17: If thou count me therefore a
partner, receive him as myself.
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1:18: If he hath wronged thee, or
oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
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1:19: 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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1:20: Yea, brother, let me have joy of
thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
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1:21: Having confidence in thy
obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
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1:22: But withal prepare me also a
lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
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1:23: There salute thee Epaphras, my
fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
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1:24: Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas,
Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
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1:25: The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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