# Philemon - American Standard-ASV1901 (ASV)

**[1:1]** Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker,

**[1:2]** and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

**[1:3]** Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

**[1:4]** I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,

**[1:5]** hearing of thy love, and of the faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

**[1:6]** that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ.

**[1:7]** For I had much joy and comfort in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through thee, brother.

**[1:8]** Wherefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to enjoin thee that which is befitting,

**[1:9]** yet for love's sake I rather beseech, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner also of Christ Jesus:

**[1:10]** I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,

**[1:11]** who once was unprofitable to thee, but now is profitable to thee and to me:

**[1:12]** whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

**[1:13]** whom I would fain have kept with me, that in thy behalf he might minister unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

**[1:14]** but without thy mind I would do nothing; that thy goodness should not be as of necessity, but of free will.

**[1:15]** For perhaps he was therefore parted `from thee' for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever;

**[1:16]** no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

**[1:17]** If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself.

**[1:18]** But if he hath wronged the at all, or oweth `thee' aught, put that to mine account;

**[1:19]** I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

**[1:20]** Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my heart in Christ.

**[1:21]** Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.

**[1:22]** But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you.

**[1:23]** Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;

**[1:24]** `and so do' Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.

**[1:25]** The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.