MKJV - Philemon - 1

1:1  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon the beloved and fellow laborer,

1:2  and to Apphia the beloved, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house.

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

1:4  I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

1:5  hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all saints,

1:6  that the fellowship of your faith may operate in a full knowledge of every good thing in you in Christ Jesus.

1:7  For we have great joy and consolation over your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

1:8  Therefore, having much boldness in Christ to enjoin you to do the fitting thing;

1:9  rather through love I entreat, being such a one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

1:10  I entreat you for my child Onesimus, whom I have fathered in my bonds,

1:11  he once worthless to you, but now useful to you and to me; whom I sent back to you.

1:12  Even receive him, that is, my own heart,

1:13  whom I resolved to retain with me, so that for you he might have ministered to me in the bonds of the gospel.

1:14  But without your consent I was willing to do nothing, that your good should not be of necessity, but willingly.

1:15  For perhaps because of this he was separated from you for an hour, that you should receive him eternally,

1:16  not now as a slave, but beyond a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

1:17  If then you have me as a partner, receive him as me.

1:18  If he has wronged you or owes you in anything, put that on my account.

1:19  I, Paul, wrote it with my own hand; I will repay, that I do not say to you that you owe even yourself to me also.

1:20  Yes, brother, that I may have your help in the Lord, refresh my heart in the Lord.

1:21  Trusting to your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

1:22  But at once prepare lodging for me, for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

1:23  Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

1:24  and also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.

1:25  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.