Parallel Bible results for "philemon 1"

Philemon 1

The Message Bible MSG

1 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work -

2 also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you!

4 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!"

5 I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other Christians.

6 And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.

7 Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

8 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ's ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn't hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary,

9 but I'd rather make it a personal request.

10 While here in jail, I've fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter - Onesimus!

11 He was useless to you before; now he's useful to both of us.

12 I'm sending him back to you, but it feels like I'm cutting off my right arm in doing so.

13 I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I'm in jail for the Message.

14 But I didn't want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn't willingly agreed to.

15 Maybe it's all for the best that you lost him for a while. You're getting him back now for good -

16 and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That's what he was to me - he'll be even more than that to you.

17 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me.

18 If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account.

19 This is my personal signature - Paul - and I stand behind it. (I don't need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?)

20 Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

21 I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written.

22 And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.

23 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello.

24 Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.

25 All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!

King James Version KJV

1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. [Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.]