1 ⁸ Accordingly, although in Christ I might make bold to point out your duty, 1 ⁹ yet, because of that same love, I would rather appeal to you. Yes, I, Paul, ambassador as I am of Christ Jesus—and now his prisoner— 1 ¹⁰ appeal to you about my child, whose father I have become in this prison.
1 ¹¹ I mean Onesimus, once so little use to you, but now useful indeed, both to you and to me. 1 ¹² I am sending him back to you, and in doing so I am sending a part of myself. 1 ¹³ I should have liked to keep him with me, to look after me as you would wish, here in prison for the Gospel. 1 ¹⁴ But I would rather do nothing without your consent, so that your kindness may be a matter not of compulsion, but of your own free will.

1 ¹⁵ For perhaps this is why you lost him for a time, that you might have him back for good, 1 ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but as more than a slave—as a dear brother, very dear indeed to me and how much dearer to you, both as man and as Christian.
1 ¹⁷ If, then, you count me partner in the faith, welcome him as you would welcome me. 1 ¹⁸ And if he has done you any wrong or is in your debt, put that down to my account. 1 ¹⁹ Here is my signature, PAUL; I undertake to repay—not to mention that you owe your very self to me as well. 1 ²⁰ Now brother, as a Christian, be generous with me, and relieve my anxiety; we are both in Christ!

1 ²¹ I write to you confident that you will meet my wishes; I know that you will in fact do better than I ask. 1 ²² And one thing more: have a room ready for me, for I hope that, in answer to your prayers, God will grant me to you.