The King James Version Bible

Philemon 1:4-18

  1. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

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

  3. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

  4. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

  5. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

  6. 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.

  7. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

  8. Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

  9. Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

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

  11. But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

  12. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

  13. 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?

  14. If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

  15. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;