8 Accordingly, m though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do n what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you - I, Paul, an old man and now o a prisoner also for Christ Jesus - 10 I appeal to you for p my child, q Onesimus, 1 r whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me s on your behalf t during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be u by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why v he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 w no longer as a slave 2 but more than a slave, as x a beloved brother - especially to me, but how much more to you, y both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me z your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 a I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it - to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. b Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 c Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for d I am hoping that e through your prayers f I will be graciously given to you.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.