Wast thou called being a slave, be not anxious about it; but if thou canst be made free, prefer it. For he that is called in the Lord being a slave, is the Lord's freed-man: and he likewise that is called being free is the servant of Christ. read more. Ye are bought with a price, do not become the slaves of men. Brethren, in whatever condition every one was when called, let him abide therein with God.

The salutation of me Paul I write with my own hand.

For this cause I Paul am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you Gentiles:

I therefore, a prisoner for the sake of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all humility and meekness;

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, (who is an idolater,) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. read more. Therefore be not partners with them. For ye were heretofore darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk therefore as children of light, (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,)

for which I am an ambassador though in chains: that I may speak boldly in behalf of it, as I ought to speak.

As it is just for me to think this of you all, because ye have me in your heart, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, being all of you partakers of the same grace with me.

What then? yet every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached: and in this I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice;

Servants, be obedient in all things to your lawful masters, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in uprightness of heart, fearing God; and whatever service ye do,

and ye masters, render to your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with discretion to know how ye ought to answer every one.

together with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will inform you of all things here.

The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow-laborer, and to the beloved Apphia,

I thank my God always making mention of thee in my prayers, (hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints,) read more. that the communication of thy faith may become effectual in the acknowledgement of all the good that is in you towards Christ Jesus: for we have much joy and comfort in thy love, because by thee, dear brother, the bowels of the saints are refreshed. Wherefore though I have sufficient authority in Christ to enjoin thee what is meet, I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ.

I would rather intreat thee out of love to me, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner too for the sake of Jesus Christ. I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds,

I intreat thee then for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds, who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:

who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee:

who was formerly unprofitable to thee, but now profitable both to thee and to me; whom I have sent back to thee: him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive.

him therefore, as my own bowels, do thou receive. Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.

Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel.

Whom I would gladly have kept with me, that he might have ministered unto me as thou wouldst have done, in the bonds of the gospel. But I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary.

But I would do nothing without thy knowledge, that thy kindness might not be as it were forced, but voluntary. For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever: read more. not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord.

not now as a servant, but above a servant, a dear brother, especially to me, and how much more to thee both in the flesh and in the Lord. If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.

If therefore thou accountest me a friend, receive him as thou wouldst receive me.

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me.

I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it: not to say that thou indeed owest even thy own self to me. Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord.

Yea, my brother, let me enjoy this satisfaction from thee in the Lord: and thus refresh my bowels in the Lord. Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask.

Being fully persuaded of thy compliance, I have written to thee; knowing that thou wilt indeed do more than I ask. But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.

But I must add, prepare me also a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.