Philemon 1:8-22 - An Appeal For Onesimus

⁸ Wherefore though I be bold in Christ to enjoin thee, that which becometh thee; ⁹ yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, though I be as I am, even Paul aged, and now in bonds for Jesus Christ's sake. ¹⁰ I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I begat in my bonds, ¹¹ which in time past was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable both to thee and also to me, ¹² whom I have sent home again. Thou therefore receive him, that is to say mine own heart, ¹³ whom I would fain have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, without thy mind, would I do nothing, that that good which springeth of thee should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. ¹⁵ Haply he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever, ¹⁶ not now as a servant: but above a servant, I mean a brother beloved, specially to me: but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and also in the Lord?

¹⁷ If thou count me a fellow, receive him as myself. ¹⁸ If he have hurt thee or oweth thee ought, that lay to my charge. ¹⁹ I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand. I will recompense it. So that I do not say to thee how that thou owest unto me even thine own self. ²⁰ Even so, brother, let me enjoy thee in the Lord. Comfort my heart in the Lord. ²¹ Trusting in thine obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do more than I say for. ²² Moreover, prepare me lodging: for I trust through the help of your prayers, I shall be given unto you.