For I have great joy and comfort in your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed.

yet for love's sake, I rather beseech you, I, Paul, an old man, and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus!

I beseech you for my son, Onesimus, whom I have begotten in these chains.

I could wish to retain him at my side, so that he might minister to me in your stead, in my bonds for the gospel.

But without your consent I was unwilling to do anything, so that your kindness to me might be of your own free will, and not of compulsion.

Perhaps for this reason you were separated from him for an hour, in order that you might have him back forever,

Please also prepare for me a lodging, for I am hoping by your prayers to be restored to you again.